Chevy Chase, MD - Kitchen Remodel

Chrysalis "Regional" Award Winner 2011

NARI CotY "Finalist" Award Winner 2010

Brief Explanation of the Scope of Work

After years of raising a family these homeowners recently found themselves to be empty nesters. They wanted to turn their serviceable but uninspired kitchen into a welcoming space where they could entertain their friends and growing family.

Unusual Constraints/Challenges & Creative Solutions

From the beginning, these homeowners aspired to bring the feel of their Maine vacation farmhouse to the elegance of their Chevy Chase home.To this end, their program included expanding the kitchen to bring more light into the house, creating a better connection to the dining room, and adding a space for pantry and mudroom functions.

The existing floorplan of this center-hall colonial house provided several challenges to the expansion and redesign of the kitchen and the overall layout of the first floor to achieve all the homeowners’ goals.

We constructed a small addition at the rear of the house bridging the space between the rear of the kitchen and the side of the family room. Into this space we relocated the powder room that had abutted the kitchen and created a small mudroom to allow a smoother and more functional transition to the backyard. The kitchen was then able to expand sideways to accommodate the full range of the homeowners’ needs. The door to the dining room was also relocated to provide better circulation through the
kitchen and out through the rear without disruption to the flow of
the inner workings of the kitchen. Between the spaces we installed peninsula cabinets with glass doors to allow light and air to flow through the house. The center section of doors open fully to reveal a pass-through perfect for buffet-style serving or conversation with dinner guests.

To achieve the homeowners’ desired look and feel of a comfortable but fully modernized farmhouse kitchen, we proposed while beaded inset cabinetry. The island is finished with a marble countertop with built-up edge that will wear gracefully with use. Its creamy whiteness is balanced by the black honed granite countertops of the main kitchen. These will also show signs of wear without deteriorating under harsh use.

The inclusion of a white-enameled apron-front farmhouse sink and traditionally styled sink and bar faucets and pot filler in chrome add to the functional elegance of the space. With high end stainless steel appliances and two concealed dishwashers, each component of the kitchen ensures that these homeowners will be able to handle any size dinner party.

Overall Results

The comfortable, inviting feel of this updated kitchen is apparent in each detail of the design. Custom inset cabinetry houses modern stainless steel appliances and is balanced by black granite countertops. A slice of carrera marble at the center of the space provides warmth and a welcome place for guests to mingle. Refinished oak floors bring the richness of wood into the space and connect the new kitchen with the rest of the house. Drawer cup pulls and knobs in oil-rubbed bronze and art deco pendant lights balance the traditional with the modern in this fully updated kitchen.