Houzz Pro Contest Winner’s 3D Kitchen Design Really Pops
Designer Sara Barron’s virtual kitchen has a relatable style and a layout designed for those who love to cook
Designer Sara Barron in Perry, Georgia, has nearly 10 years of experience designing kitchens, bathrooms and whole homes. “I love to see a project come together and work with clients to help them visualize their future home and see it become a reality,” she says.
Barron recently won the Houzz Pro 3D Kitchen Design Contest. For the competition, home pros and design students submitted kitchen designs they created using the Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner tool. In her winning submission, Barron put her experience to good use designing a virtual kitchen with wide-ranging appeal. “The size and layout of the kitchen is a pretty typical one that you see in a lot of homes,” she says. “I thought it would be a relatable space and a nice way to showcase practical features and inviting looks.”
Barron recently won the Houzz Pro 3D Kitchen Design Contest. For the competition, home pros and design students submitted kitchen designs they created using the Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner tool. In her winning submission, Barron put her experience to good use designing a virtual kitchen with wide-ranging appeal. “The size and layout of the kitchen is a pretty typical one that you see in a lot of homes,” she says. “I thought it would be a relatable space and a nice way to showcase practical features and inviting looks.”
Cook’s Corner
The kitchen has a working triangle layout with the sink on one wall, a range in the middle and a double oven and refrigerator on the other wall.
“I once designed a kitchen for a full-time chef, and having the range and the ovens separated was very important to her,” Barron says. “I thought this layout would appeal to homeowners who love to cook. It’s also why I went with the six-burner gas range.”
The double undermount sink is strategically situated under the window to receive natural light. “I chose a double sink because I feel like it’s more practical, but this is normally something a client would choose,” Barron says. “Just because something is practical for me doesn’t mean it will be for them.”
The cabinets have curved rectangular pulls in a satin nickel finish that pairs well with the stainless steel appliances.
Learn about Houzz Pro business software
The kitchen has a working triangle layout with the sink on one wall, a range in the middle and a double oven and refrigerator on the other wall.
“I once designed a kitchen for a full-time chef, and having the range and the ovens separated was very important to her,” Barron says. “I thought this layout would appeal to homeowners who love to cook. It’s also why I went with the six-burner gas range.”
The double undermount sink is strategically situated under the window to receive natural light. “I chose a double sink because I feel like it’s more practical, but this is normally something a client would choose,” Barron says. “Just because something is practical for me doesn’t mean it will be for them.”
The cabinets have curved rectangular pulls in a satin nickel finish that pairs well with the stainless steel appliances.
Learn about Houzz Pro business software
Pretty Peninsula
The peninsula has a trio of tufted counter stools in faux white leather. “I went with the same color upholstery for the stools and the dining chairs, but used different materials to add interest,” Barron says.
The white marble countertops with beveled edges offer a dramatic contrast against the black cabinets. The flooring is solid birch planks. “With the cabinets being so dark, I wanted something light for the flooring. I also love the natural look of wood floors,” the designer says. “Lighter wood finishes are very popular right now too.”
Barron says the Houzz Pro business and project management software’s 3D Floor Planner was easy to learn and using it was intuitive. “There are lots of different options for layouts, materials, finishes, furniture and paint colors that let you show a client how a little change here or there can make a dramatic impact in the overall look of the design.”
The peninsula has a trio of tufted counter stools in faux white leather. “I went with the same color upholstery for the stools and the dining chairs, but used different materials to add interest,” Barron says.
The white marble countertops with beveled edges offer a dramatic contrast against the black cabinets. The flooring is solid birch planks. “With the cabinets being so dark, I wanted something light for the flooring. I also love the natural look of wood floors,” the designer says. “Lighter wood finishes are very popular right now too.”
Barron says the Houzz Pro business and project management software’s 3D Floor Planner was easy to learn and using it was intuitive. “There are lots of different options for layouts, materials, finishes, furniture and paint colors that let you show a client how a little change here or there can make a dramatic impact in the overall look of the design.”
Breakfast Area
The breakfast area features a round dining table in a weathered gray finish with oval-back chairs covered in white linen. “I felt like there needed to be some curved lines in the design, as kitchens tend to get boxy,” Barron says.
The ivory-and-sea-blue round rug under the table is from Safavieh‘s Ikat collection. “I wanted to pull in some of the colors from the wall,” the designer says. “The rug accomplished that beautifully and also added some pattern.”
The wood-and-metal chandelier is from Sea Gull Lighting. “The chandelier has satin nickel elements that connect to the cabinet hardware and help tie the two areas of the kitchen together,” she says.
The breakfast area features a round dining table in a weathered gray finish with oval-back chairs covered in white linen. “I felt like there needed to be some curved lines in the design, as kitchens tend to get boxy,” Barron says.
The ivory-and-sea-blue round rug under the table is from Safavieh‘s Ikat collection. “I wanted to pull in some of the colors from the wall,” the designer says. “The rug accomplished that beautifully and also added some pattern.”
The wood-and-metal chandelier is from Sea Gull Lighting. “The chandelier has satin nickel elements that connect to the cabinet hardware and help tie the two areas of the kitchen together,” she says.
Floor Plan
The floor plan for Barron’s 3D kitchen design shows the G-shaped layout and the adjacent breakfast area.
The floor plan for Barron’s 3D kitchen design shows the G-shaped layout and the adjacent breakfast area.
Meet the Designer
Barron received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in interior design at Georgia’s Valdosta State University in 2011. Since graduating, she has been working as an in-house designer for a local construction company. During the past few years, she has been looking to grow her own firm and help clients create the homes of their dreams.
“I’ve been branching out and taking on design projects under my own firm name,” Barron says. “I’m excited about working with clients every step of the way to create a home that reflects their taste and lifestyle.”
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Barron received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in interior design at Georgia’s Valdosta State University in 2011. Since graduating, she has been working as an in-house designer for a local construction company. During the past few years, she has been looking to grow her own firm and help clients create the homes of their dreams.
“I’ve been branching out and taking on design projects under my own firm name,” Barron says. “I’m excited about working with clients every step of the way to create a home that reflects their taste and lifestyle.”
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Join the Houzz Trade Program
The Houzz Pro 3D tool enables pros to design a kitchen virtually and then with a click turn it into a 3D model that shows clients exactly what the space will look like when work is complete. Pros can select and place cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring and other features, as well as hardware, finishes, paint colors and more for their designs.
Using the 3D tool, Barron designed a virtual room about 450 square feet (42 square meters) in size. The kitchen area has a G-shaped layout with a peninsula that accommodates three counter stools. The breakfast area features a round dining table that seats four.
“I would describe the kitchen as having a transitional style with a nod to modern farmhouse,” she says. “I didn’t want it to be an all-white space, so I introduced some color to make it pop.”
The walls are a deep teal (Sea Star by Benjamin Moore). “There was a large selection of wall colors to choose from,” the designer says, “but in the end I thought this was the perfect green-blue shade that would have wide appeal and complement all of the other material selections.”
Shaker-style cabinets in black (Blacktop by Benjamin Moore) add another bold stroke. “I love the look of dark cabinets. They make the lighter materials stand out,” Barron says. “Since I added a large window over the sink, I felt the space would receive enough natural light for black cabinets. I also added glass-front doors to one wall of cabinets to keep it from feeling too dark.”
Houzz Adds New Kitchen Features to Its Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner