Kalorama Triangle, DC - Residential Kitchen

Brief Explanation of the Scope of Work

This kitchen remodel was part of a larger construction project that included most of the first floor of this town home. This 1970’s row house, rebuilt after the original house burnt down, had a modern, open floor plan. The owner did not like being greeted by her kitchen when she walked in.

Unusual Constraints/Challenges & Creative Solutions

Another key objective for the client was to overcome a persistent mouse infestation in her house. Her pest control professional said this problem was due in part to large gaps the previous builder left in the plywood flooring behind the cabinets. We took special care to finish out the space with tight joints and proper blocking. The exterminator also pre-treated all the walls and floors before we dry walled. The mouse problem has not returned.

By opening up the kitchen and combining it with the den at the rear we created a more functional, private and informal areas to cook, entertain, watch television and read. By dividing the kitchen from the front of the house, we created a more formal and public space at the front (See below).

	Before and After - Dining Room

As for aesthetics, we installed better lighting, more functional storage, much nicer counters and tiled backsplash, which is installed on the diagonal, was carefully planned out so that the focal point below the new range hood was perfectly symmetrical. Also, special care was required to integrate the two level stone countertops with the backsplashes. Careful measuring allowed the outlets to fit in below the breakfast bar area and be symmetrically laid out on the stove elevation.

The appliances were also upgraded to look and perform better than the original ones. The electric cook top we selected uses electric induction to heat food. While this was an expensive appliance, the client is thrilled with it; the cook surface never gets hot. Heat is created only under a metal surface. The client is also particularly happy with her refrigerator, which features a French door upper section. This allows her to store large items like pizza boxes.

We also eliminated transitions between the kitchen, den, and dining areas by making all floors wood, and in order to integrate the both, den and kitchen areas we installed a two level crown molding. This required careful attention to details at the miter joints and room transitions.

Overall Results

The client is very happy with the project because all of the crown molding, cabinetry details and lighting was symmetrically designed and installed, and the overall visual appeal of the space was achieved by creating consistent lines and levels.