Transitional Kitchen

With a young family growing up quickly, this family required more space to gather.  Most want that space to be in the kitchen so parents can multitask–preparing meals while keeping an eye on the children.  This family was no exception.

The original kitchen was somewhat new but a dead end in the flow of the house.  It also had no room for more than one person to actively participate in meal preparation.  The enclosed porch off the existing dining room made a great den space did not integrate with the rest of the plan.

Designing and constructing a new kitchen between these spaces provided both the workspace required and the flow and room desired.  The original space dedicated to the kitchen now functions as a mudroom—a much needed space for young families.  The new kitchen was designed with a traditional flair including white cabinets, quartz countertops and marble backsplashes. The layout allows for multiple cooks and casual dining at the breakfast bar which is open to the den. The cathedral ceiling gives visual interest to the space and increase the open feel.  Overall, the solution was a success for this family, should work for years to come, and retain the value of the dollars spent with the timeless look created.

Sometimes even a newly remodeled bathroom doesn’t work!

These clients had purchased a home where the primary bathroom had been remodeled.  While each spouse had a dedicated vanity and the rest of the bathroom included a jetted tub in a bulky deck, a separate walk-in shower, and a dedicated water closet room, the bathroom felt oppressive and small.  There were beams and columns separating spaces and the shower was closed off.  The clients wanted the space to feel more open and inviting; they wanted a place to go after a long day of work that felt like a trip to the spa.  They liked the separate vanity spaces and were good with the amount of storage.  They wanted light, bright and airy.

The columns, beams, and half-walls were nonstructural and therefore removed.  The angled entry walls, while meant to be inviting were just wasting space—these too were removed.  In doing so, we were able to create a larger shower that now includes a bench seat and a wall of glass that opens the shower visually to the rest of the room.  On the opposite side, we gained and a hidden wall compartment that houses the tub’s mechanical equipment.  The remainder of the layout was functional, so a freestanding tub was set between two furniture-style vanities.  Goodbye bulky tub deck!  The freestanding tub also adds to the open feeling and brings a sculptural element to the space.  The exterior wall behind the vanities was built out to add insulation to the room, run plumbing and regain storage space in the vanities.  Light white and grey marbled porcelain tiles were chosen for a rich look without the cost of maintenance requirement of real marble. Lighting was reworked and dimmers installed to create a mood when desired.  Sleek plantation shutters on the windows provide privacy when needed while retaining the natural light.

By rethinking the same square footage, making some minor layout changes but bigger finish changes, we obtained the more open and airier feeling that the client sought.

The clients had lived in the house for 30 years and the kitchen was reflecting its’ age. While small it had served its purpose, neither the small dining room nor kitchen were functional for the way the homeowners wanted to entertain and live the next chapter of their lives. The goal was to take over the dining room to create a more open plan that could function for two people daily and easily and comfortably entertain 30.

Another requirement was to create a space for a large mosaic mural that would be the focal point of the room.  The owner’s brother was an established artist and have a place to let his artwork shine was paramount.  Clean simple lines with a modern flair were important.

Challenges for this project were mainly visual rather than structural.  The dropped bulkhead over the basement door would have to remain as the landing to the stairs from the first to second floor.  Integrating the floors, weaving in new to existing hardwood floors and staining them to look seamless would require some attention to detail.  The largest challenge for this project would be obtaining products and working through mandatory quarantine during the COVID 19 pandemic.

An earlier addition had opened the space at one end of the kitchen and included a peninsula eat-at counter.  The wall between the kitchen and dining room would be removed to enlarge the functioning kitchen space.  While this first step made the space larger, protecting the chef while entertaining would still be critical.  The plan called to keep the main work triangle to one side of the kitchen and allow traffic to flow past the chef.  Base cabinets on the opposite side with a secondary sink allowed for a buffet and drink center to be established during parties.  By not installing wall cabinets on this side of the kitchen, two objectives were met.  First, without wall cabinets, a large floating shelf provides a grounding for the large mural and place to display handmade pottery.  Secondly, an open and airy feeling was created despite the lowered ceiling for the stairs and in fact, the layout and placement of the bulkhead helps to frame the mural.

To create an updated and modern kitchen, red maple shaker door cabinets were chosen.  The striking soapstone countertop and full height backsplash contrast the cabinetry and compliment the matte black appliances and faucets.  The planned element of line and repetition of the rectangular form are softened with the natural veining of the soapstone and the movement in the mosaic.

The client wanted to maximize outdoor living to have a four-season patio but their existing concrete slab of a porch was small and was not fit for comfort or entertaining.  We were able to create an all-weathered patio, extending off the back of the home.  The materials and selections were designed with the intent to provide a more livable space for the whole family that encompasses comfort but yet durable and withstanding of all of the seasonal elements DC takes on each year.

The homeowners purchased this house for its idea location in a quiet residential neighborhood just outside Washington, DC. However, the outdated split-level home did not reflect the clients’ contemporary styles or fit their living needs. They wanted to modernize the appearance, reconfigure the floor plan, and construct an addition to increase the amount of living space for their large family. The mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems required extensive work to comply with current building codes and increase energy efficiency.

The new design enhances the existing structure by extending the roof to enclose the addition and repeating existing roof angles at the new front entry and areaway. Exterior textures remain consistent, but new paint updated the brick walls and hardi-plank siding replaces the use of vinyl siding. Efficient space planning allows the addition of the Master Suite, without substantially increasing the vertical scale of the home.

The clients’ desire master suite was achieved with an addition that replaced the attic space over the kitchen and dining room. The deign created a space for the homeowners that feels like a retreat to a luxury boutique hotel in the city. The new space takes full advantage of both the previously unused attic space and the ample natural light that bathes the front of the existing house. A contemporary roof line is the perfect solution that fits the clients’ design style and allows for a bright and spacious room that feels much larger than the footprint. The new master bath is the product of the client’s love of contemporary design and European travels. The style is both sleek and modern with a splash of sophistication. Once again, full advantage was taken of the natural light that drenches the bathroom. This allows the masculine tiles and vanity to reflect light thorough the space and create a warm inviting feeling. A steam shower was also essential for the clients, and the vaulted ceiling helps to create a spacious retreat that is also relaxing. This combination of details proved to be a perfect fit with the upscale style of the master bathroom.

The renovation of the outdated existing kitchen was an important part of the homeowners’ remodeling needs. Although the clients did not desire a huge kitchen, they did want to alter the layout and eliminate the closed in feel of the space. They wanted a modern kitchen with sleek finishes, plenty of light, and an open floor plan. The existing area was gutted, and a new kitchen was designed in the same location. The layout was reconfigured to fit the client’s needs. The interior kitchen wall was removed to open the space to the dining room, and the window on the front wall was shortened to gain additional counter space. The new kitchen is bright, fresh, and open for business. It not only interacts well with the new dining area, but becomes a focal point and gathering space for the family. The open shelves in the kitchen are representative of not only ow the kitchen functions but how the family functions as a whole. The room allows a seamless transition and effortless interaction between the adjoining spaces.

The challenge in this front to back split level house was to create a spectacular staircase that opened up the house and maintained a budget. When the new second floor master suite was built and the first floor walls removed, the homeowners fell in love with the wide open space and the unobstructed view from one end of the house to another. This created a structural challenge, as a support column was needed under the upper floor stair landing. The homeowners did not want this column to interfere with the wide open space they had envisioned. To address this dilemma, the stair and the landing are suspended from the roof structure. While being a structural solution, it proves to be an aesthetic solution as well. The structural component became part of the new metal railing, incorporating a new metal post  into the design and extending it up to tie into the roof structure. The new stair allows for an open view with unobstructed sight lines from end to end of the new house. The result is a beautiful new staircase and landing that appears to defy gravity.

Part of the goal of this project was to create a mud room off the kitchen for the dogs but it is designed to serve as part of the kitchen with ample storage and flexibility.  It also can be closed off if left a mess!!  The additional also includes a sunroom that is open to the kitchen space.  This allows for an open floorplan and helps to join the kitchen space to the side yard, brining in lots of light!

These clients came to us with a request to combine their four room kitchen and living room spaces into one great room, to add a new primary suite for them above the existing one story kitchen area, and to add a stair to the attic space. We modeled their existing Tudor style house in our 3D drafting program to better explore the massing of the addition and how to tie the stairs into the existing attic roofline. We replaced the first floor walls with large decorative columns and a dropped beam, allowing us to create a separation between the kitchen and the living room, while creating a beautiful open space. The clients opted for sleek European style inset cabinets with a leathered finish granite countertop, creating a soothing and modern kitchen. We worked with them on a “command center cabinet” – a 4′ wide cabinet with retractable doors for the microwave, coffee machine, and snack areas. As we always say: the coffee machine is the most important part of any kitchen. On the other side of the great room, we closed a second front door to create space for a television room. Then we added a side entrance and stair that opens onto a small drop zone and built in banquette.

Above the new kitchen great room, we added an addition for a primary suite. The contractor matched the look and feel of the traditional Tudor look with modern materials that create a more energy efficient enclosure. The bathroom has an efficient layout, fitting double sinks, a toilet, and a generous shower in a small footprint. The clients chose a gorgeous herringbone accent wall in the shower to contrast with the more staid subway tile on the other walls. A vivid navy vanity rounds out a clean but visually interesting bathroom. The suite includes a king size bedroom, a large walk in closet, and a laundry room. Casement windows, in lieu of a more traditional double hung, allow for ore airflow and crucial egress requirements, all in the same opening size as elsewhere on the house.

Finally, we removed a very small bedroom to allow for a new staircase into the attic storage space. Oak stairs and handrails create a rich contrast with the light walls and ceiling. The under stair space was reclaimed for storage, and the new attic over the primary suite is additional storage space, freeing the attic for livable space. A large pendant light fixture illuminates the new double height stair space.

The owners of this project inherited their childhood home, and set out to renovate and expand it to create a new home to raise their family in. The original kitchen, tucked in the back corner of the house, was barely functional, and had no space for anyone other than the cook. Adding an addition to the rear created space for a large open kitchen and great room. The existing kitchen became a butler’s pantry for additional kitchen space. The kitchen serves as an interstitial space connecting the interior of the house with the exterior of the deck and yard. Large operable doors and casement windows bring light and ventilation, and the clerestory windows create a view of the sky. It’s a space large enough for the family to invite their community to gather, but intimate enough for just the four of them to come together.

The big idea for this project is connection and gathering. The kitchen and great room addition is a space for the family and community to gather together and functions as an interstitial space between the interior and exterior spaces. Sustainability influenced the geometry of the addition, with a large overhang reducing summer sun on the south facade. The desire for natural ventilation in the temperate months led to the large sliding doors and casement windows at the sink, which also create view opportunities to the yard. The doors also connect the inside with the outside, and bring attention to the heritage tree from the owner’s childhood and the bamboo that he planted with his father.

The project added new solar panels to the south facing gable roof of the property, along with a Tesla battery. The angle of the roof is within 3º of the optimal angle for efficient electricity generation. The battery helps to modulate the solar panel energy, reducing or eliminating the need for energy from the grid at night. The kitchen addition has large operable casement windows and sliding doors to allow for natural ventilation during DC’s temperate months while connecting the indoor and outdoor spaces. Combined with clerestory windows at the ceiling, the south facing kitchen and great room have an abundance of natural light, ventilation, and view, creating a comfortable environment. Spray foam insulation in the walls and ceiling create a thermally efficient building envelope for the less temperate months, while mechanized solar shades allow the owners to control the amount of light and heat entering the space.

The design of the kitchen was always intended to bring as much outside light, ventilation, and view inside as possible. The windows and sliding doors create the connection between the inside and outside, and allow the parents to watch the kids playing in the yard. The kitchen window has a ledge running the length of the cabinetry, for growing orchids, a passion of the owner. The clerestory windows are south facing and have an overhang. In the hot DC summer, the overhang will reduce the amount of light coming in at the sun’s zenith, reducing solar heat gain. In the winter, it’ll allow more light in, helping warm the space. The shades are UV rated, so they block some light, but most of the heat gain, allowing for modulation beyond the building geometry. The shades are broken into groups, allowing for privacy on the sides, but view to the rear

This beautiful kitchen was born from a nightmare.  The clients had just finished a rocky kitchen remodel with a small addition, only to discover that the contractor had swindled them.  While permits were pulled, inspectors were paid off, structural components were not installed properly, nothing was level or square and the project was not completed.

Their desire–to tear it down, start over, and build it properly. They were concerned about the safety of the structure for their young family and they knew this was to be their forever home.  They wanted a kitchen that integrated with the rest of their home and included some of the historical details.

While the newly remodeled kitchen was functional, it did not solve many of the family’s issues.  After many discussions, alleviating the bottle neck area at the end of the peninsula while retaining a large eat-in and entertaining space were top priority.

Retaining as many of the newly purchased appliances would also be important.

Reworking the plan so that the chef was protected but the family could easily access the back yard was the first step.  Second, incorporating as much storage as possible and creating a drop zone entry bench was achieved.  Lastly and most challenging was correcting the structure so that the space looked and felt continuous rather than two separate spaces.

The family of four is busy, both parents work, and they have two young children. The kitchen is the most important room of their house and is the hub of all the action. A large island gives all the space they need to eat, prepare food, work, and look after both kids at the same time.

Making the kitchen accessible to the kids and helping to teach them to be self-sufficient, the island contains an under cabinet microwave, and a beverage refrigerator gives the kids easy access to essentials.

By hiding outlets just below the counter surface where they are easily accessible, small appliances or laptop cords don’t have to far to reach!

When making the selections for the kitchen, the backsplash was the inspiration and starting point. The cabinet color came second and the wall color a close third. Light marble-look quartz counters bring brightness and light to the space contrasting the other bold colors and patterns and are the ideal low to no maintenance countertop. Hardwood floors are matched to the rest of the home. The large lantern style chandelier over the island is a statement piece with enough negative space to avoid looking heavy.

The home was originally built in 1898 and had a variety of poor renovations. The local preservation board had strict rules and regulations about retaining the character of the home, which we were happy to follow! This home beautifully displays Victorian architecture and we needed to blend the old and new seamlessly. Structural and code compliance would be a challenge; today’s technology surpasses that of when the home was built. The existing foundation would need to be underpinned and the interior structure upgraded. The clients had lived in this house for more than 20 years. They realized this was their forever home and with kids gone (but soon to come home with little ones), they wanted a few things!  In the basement they needed a usable garage as well as a woodworking shop with lots of equipment. On the first floor they needed a more spacious, updated kitchen with a bar area and pantry, that opened to the family room. They envisioned a family room that extended to outdoor living and would be well suited for entertaining. The second floor called for a grand master suite with architectural interest , a new master bathroom, and dedicated laundry facilities.

To keep the integrity on the exterior of the old Victorian, the rear extension mimicked the architectural styling and the historical pink paint color. The large workshop roof provides the basis for the new patio and provides the perfect place for our clients to enjoy the outdoors.A large open family area has two separate seating areas—one for larger groups and another for more intimate conversations. Both are good for relaxing or enjoying the view. Keeping with the Victorian details, vintage sconces were used throughout the renovation, coordinating with the kitchen pendants. A gas fireplace was chosen for ease of use and built-ins on both sides of the room are both functional and beautiful.

In the kitchen shaker style cabinetry with detailed crown, matching window casing with rosettes and stylistically accurate cabinet hardware give a nod to the Victorian style while providing modern functionality. Contrasting Taj Mahal quartzite countertops around the perimeter coordinate with the Verde Fantastico waterfall island countertop and green hand glazed subway backsplash tile. A hidden warming drawer assures that plates stay warm and rolls are toasty. The same finishes continue into the adjacent Butler’s Pantry and wet bar.

The spacious master bedroom’s vaulted ceiling and view to the exterior. Window trim and baseboards, were matched to the original. The size of the new master bath is appropriate to the age of the house and was carved out of the space that was the original master bedroom. The new retreat includes a single vanity sink with ample counter space, a large oversized soaking tub and walk-in shower that exhibits a blend of complementary historical Victorian hues of pinks, blues, and greens. Due to the restrictions of the historical preservation board, the existing wood window in what is now the master bath shower, had to remain. A frosted door with a waterproof seal was installed. The glass allows for protection of the existing window without losing access to the window and being able to open. It was frosted for privacy.