The previous kitchen was cramped, dark and dated. The design team replaced a walk-in pantry with cabinetry, freeing up space for a center island. Removing a wall between the kitchen and adjacent sunroom brought in natural light, and windows were added that flank the hood; a slab of black quartz turned the range wall into a focal point. The mudroom/laundry room was revamped to encompass a butler’s pantry. 

A marble floor makes a statement in the double-height foyer, where two facing staircases now boast wrought-iron railings; wide-plank, dark-stained maple floors clad the rest of the main level. Other improvements include a linear fireplace in the family room with a two-story surround made of polished porcelain tile; widened casements between the foyer and dining room, where a decorative ceiling was added; and coffered ceilings supporting large-scale chandeliers. 

Award: Finalist for Residential Interior $250,000 to $500,000. Renovation Design & Contracting: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, Fairfax, Virginia.

The Johnsons recently completed a total overhaul of the 1952 rancher’s cramped, outdated kitchen. They tapped Nadia Subaran and Kelly Emerson of Aidan Design to reimagine the space. Among their goals: to maximize views of the Chesapeake, increase storage and create a bar/serving area for parties. They also wanted to display sculptures and objects collected over the years. 

A clever redo combined the kitchen and adjacent mudroom—which previously housed the fridge—and traded a bulky boiler and hot water heater for a tankless water system. These moves made way for a spacious and functional kitchen where the owners can cook and entertain in casual, easygoing style. 

Facing walls of Wood-Mode cabinetry dramatically increased storage potential. On one side, narrow cabinets store extra sets of china, cookbooks and barware while a microwave stationed near the fridge adds convenience. In lieu of the wall that once blocked the view, a low peninsula divides the kitchen and dining area; on the dining side, it features a bar/serving zone with an under-counter refrigerator. 

The Johnsons are thrilled with their bright, stylish new kitchen. “More than a kitchen renovation, this project is a beautiful extension of their living spaces,” notes Subaran. “We designed it so each cooking and entertaining experience brings inspiration, comfort and happiness.”

CUT ABOVE 
Luxury appliances take up residence outdoors in an al fresco kitchen equipped with a Wolf grill and Sub-Zero under-counter refrigerator and freezer drawers. Icemakers, warming drawers and built-in trash receptacles are also available. Find at ADU—Your Appliance Source locations. adu.com; subzero-wolf.com

THAT’S AMORE
The 30-inch Lynx Napoli Outdoor Oven, part of the brand’s Professional Grill Series, quickly heats up to 700 degrees to deliver restaurant-grade pizza and other delectables. Available at AjMadison in Tysons. ajmadison.com; lynxgrills.com

BELLS + WHISTLES
The Edgestar 36” Wide Natural Gas Built-In Grill features a motorized rotisserie, LED lights and four burners. Edgestar outdoor appliances can be found at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery in Chantilly. fergusonshowrooms.com; edgestar.com

]]> https://www.homeanddesign.com/2023/02/15/calm-refuge/ Wed, 15 Feb 2023 20:10:49 +0000 https://www.homeanddesign.com/?p=79882 While revamping a Capitol Hill row house, Marta Pilla of Design Cadence was tasked with updating the dark, cramped primary bath. “The clients sought more space and a soothing feel,” she recounts. “A soaking tub was a must; ensuring storage for necessities was also important.”

The renovation borrowed from a hall bathroom to enlarge the adjacent primary bath, where a skylight installed above the tub is lined with LEDs. Pilla’s plan created a wet zone encompassing both the Signature Hardware soaking tub and a shower, with the vanity tucked into a nearby niche. 

Clean lines and textural surfaces convey a warm-modern sensibility. Quarter-sawn oak clads a vertical storage cabinet as well as the floating custom vanity, topped with white Caesarstone. Stone-look porcelain tile covers the floor and shower area—a foil to the room’s showstopper: eye-catching Inax Tile mosaics that dress up the tub and vanity walls in glazed, watery hues.

Renovation Architecture: Page Southerland Page. Interior Design: Marta Pilla, principal, Design Cadence. Renovation Contractor: New Era Builders.  Photography: David Betts.

“This created a really nice symmetry and allowed light to flood in,” the designer notes. The clean-lined maple cabinets are part of Feldman’s new signature collection designed in conjunction with kitchen designer Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens & Baths, who also collaborated on this project. “The clients wanted a white kitchen,” Smith-Shiflett recalls. “Zoe and I said, ‘Trust us—with a natural blush, you’ll get the airiness you want.’”

The clients agreed. Now, a black-painted island and honed Via Lactea marble countertops offset the pale, muted cabinetry. Livelier pops of color come from green tile in the adjacent scullery and stained-glass windows the owners found at Community Forklift. Salvaged from a decommissioned church, they now enclose the pantry of this stunning, one-of-a-kind space.

Project Team

Kitchen Design: Tanya Smith-Shiflett, Unique Kitchens & Baths. Interior Design: Zoe Feldman, Zoe Feldman Design. Renovation Contractor: Scott Hundley, Custom Home Productions LLC. Photography: Max Burkhalter.

Kitchen Details

Cabinets: uniquekitchensandbaths.net. Cabinet Paint: farrow-ball.com. Countertops: marblesystems.com. White Backsplash Tile: ziatile.com. Green Backsplash Tile: heathceramics.com. Sconces: hvlgroup.com. Custom Hood: customhomeproductions.com. Range: fisherpaykel.com. Refrigerator: thermador.com. Hardware: rejuvenation.com. Faucets: newportbrass.com. Stools: ballarddesigns.com. Roman Shade: theshadestore.com.

Mengenhauser dreamed up a new, efficient floor plan and a palette reflecting her penchant for warm woods and modern lines. As she explains, “I wanted a minimalist kitchen with a quiet confidence and rich materials.” 

To make that richness a reality, the designer partnered with Amuneal, a Philadelphia-based fabricator, to create custom cabinetry in dark, oxidized-oak and mottled brass. Pale oak floors and countertops and a backsplash in shimmering Cristallo quartzite brighten the deep, moody wood and metal patinas. 

A refrigerator is positioned to the left of the cooktop with a freezer and pantry stationed to the right. On the contiguous wall, two convection ovens flank a built-in coffeemaker and warming drawer—all by Gaggenau. An oversized island boasts plenty of room for casual meals. Exposed ceiling beams in black steel, added for support when the old cabinets were removed, allow for clear views of the landscape. Now that it’s complete, says Mengenhauser, her new kitchen has opened up “a world of possibilities to comfortably cook and entertain.”

Project Team

Interior & Kitchen Design: Jan Mengenhauser, Simplicity Interior Design; Amuneal. Contractor: Reid Construction Group. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg. 

Kitchen Details

Cabinetry, Hood, Hardware & Metal Fabrication: amuneal.com. Countertops & Backsplash: eurostonecraft.com. Appliances: gaggenau.com through abwappliances.com. Faucet: graff-designs.com. Flooring: mafi.com. Stools: fyrn.com. Steel Beams: hpmetalfabrication.com. Paint: farrow-ball.com.

Levin hatched a plan for a total redo that would improve circulation, expand storage and recast the space in timeless English style. An island with a marble top and brass footings established easy traffic flow. A cabinet tower near the stove stows breakfast essentials, while cabinets on the adjacent wall conceal a coffee station. The microwave, which once dominated a counter, shifted to a shelf in the pantry, located by the fridge on an opposite wall. 

Considering the simple saltbox style of her home, notes Levin, “The English vibe didn’t feel like too much of a departure. I wanted to bring in natural textures, antique-brass accents and a combination of dark-green and lighter cabinets. The idea was to make it feel like it had been there 100 years.” 

With chic breakfast room furniture and a built-in banquette, the space is now a magnet for the family. “Making these design changes had a huge impact,” she says.

Project team

Interior & Kitchen Design: Liz Levin, Liz Levin Interiors. Contractor: Gresinger Construction. Photographer: Stacy Zarin Goldberg. 

Kitchen Details

Cabinetry: uniquekitchensandbaths.net. Marble Countertops & Wall Slab: marblesystems.com. Backsplash Tile: riadtile.com. Range: thermador.com through abwappliances.com. Hardware: armacmartin.co.uk through pushpullhardware.com. Pendants & Sconces: visualcomfort.com. Stools: arteriorshome.com. Faucet: houseofrohl.com through build.com. Table & Rug: serenaandlily.com.  Chairs: fourhands.com. Bench Cushion + Shades: gretcheneverett.com.

STAY COOL
The Fisher & Paykel Column bottom-mount refrigerator/freezer optimizes food storage and preservation. Patented ActiveSmart technology maintains temperatures within two degrees, while Variable Temperature Zone technology creates two temperature zones and three adjustable food modes. Available in 24- and 30-inch widths. fisherpaykel.com 

UNDER COUNTER
Sub-Zero’s 24-inch-wide, under-counter refrigerator is small but mighty, storing large items with ease on adjustable shelving. Features include an ergonomic, on-door touch panel; LED lighting; and precise temperature control via smart device. Pictured: A paneled fridge tucks inside a hutch. subzero-wolf.com

FRENCH PRESS
L’Atelier Paris—the French maker whose luxe custom kitchens include everything from faucets and sinks to bespoke ranges and made-to-order cabinetry—introduces L’Avignon. The transitionally styled kitchen pictured here boasts dark-stained wood and a 78-inch-wide Le Provençal range. leatelierparis.com

HANDS FREE
Italian brand Snaidero has debuted Elementi, a minimalist line of cabinetry distinguished by its Groove door—designed with a slanted upper edge instead of handles. Cabinet finishes include textured aluminum, ceramic, glass and wood veneer. Available locally at Snaidero DC Metro. snaiderodcmetro.com

SUBTLE DETAILS
Griffith, a stylish new collection of cabinet hardware from Atlas Homewares, embellishes a contemporary silhouette with rounded edges and subtle, banded detailing. Find knobs and variously sized pulls in six finishes; pictured in Warm Brass. atlashomewares.com 

CLASSIC LOOK
Artistic Tile elevates the checkerboard-floor trend with elegant stone combinations in pale hues. Pictured here: Squares of swirling gray-green Bardiglio Imperiale marble and Bianco Carrara marble conjure a fresh yet classic feel in a traditional kitchen. artistictile.com —Julie Sanders

The Houses and Collections of Marjorie Merriweather Post: The Joy of It (Rizzoli Eclecta, 2022) celebrates the philanthropist and art patron’s residences and personal collections. Written by Hillwood’s curatorial staff and full of lavish photography, the book opens the doors to Post’s illustrious homes, from Florida’s Mar-a-Lago to her beloved estate in DC. Hillwood’s French drawing room is pictured below.  

Beyond Bold: Inspiration, Collaboration, Evolution (Pointed Leaf Press, 2022) traces the evolution of DC landscape firm OvS. Featuring 320 pages of vibrant photography, the book written by OvS principals pays tribute to the firm’s late founders, Wolfgang Oehme and James van Sweden, and details how the duo’s legacy lives on.

They gutted and slightly expanded the cramped existing lavatory (which had a combination bathtub/shower), making way for a more efficient layout that includes a soaking tub, a walk-in shower and a water closet opposite the vanity. Dual skylights more than compensate for the room’s lack of windows. “The goal was to create a bright and clean oasis, accentuated by a carefully detailed mix of modern components,” says Snowber.

Walnut millwork and Dolomite marble on the floor and tub surround nod to tradition but are applied in a modern way. “It’s very much streamlined, without a lot of fuss,” says Abt. “And the wood vanity warms up the marble.”

A countertop in stain-resistant quartz was selected as a matching but practical alternative to stone. Black metal accents in the form of Visual Comfort sconces, a heated towel warmer and the steel frame of the custom shower enclosure convey a crisp, industrial edge. “The steel-framed partition became a driver of the design,” explains Snowber. “It serves as a way to separate the spaces while bringing a surprisingly sensuous feel to the room.”

CREDITS + DETAILS—Renovation Architecture: Christopher R. Snowber, AIA, Hamilton Snowber Architects. Interior Design: Kate Abt, Kate Abt Design. Renovation Contractor: AllenBuilt, Inc. Dolomite Marble Tile: architessa.com. Tub: ferguson.com. Plumbing Fixtures: brizo.com. Shower Door Fabrication: wellbornwright.com. Sconces: visualcomfort lightinglights.com. Quartz Countertop: rbratti.com.

“It was a nice blank space, but underwhelming in architectural value,” Feldman recalls.

The owner, who’d just returned from a stint in California, sought a Spanish Mediterranean vibe. Another jumping-off point for the primary bath was the Greenwich Hotel, her favorite destination in New York, which boasts luxe, marble-and-brass-appointed bathrooms.

The team took the interiors down to the studs. Armed with inspiration, Feldman conjured an Old World-style bathroom complete with a tub for two, a large shower with an arched opening, a water closet, Carrara marble surfaces and unlacquered-brass fittings that will patina over time. Built-in cabinets keep clutter at bay.

A marble ledge by the tub is a resting spot for wine, candles or bath salts, says the designer, who had the walls coated in blush-colored plaster. “When done properly,” she avers, “plaster is even more waterproof than tile or stone. It also adds texture and really softens a bathroom.

“It is amazing,” Feldman concludes, “how a few architectural tweaks and treatments can make a room feel timeless and give it soul.”

CREDITS + DETAILS—Interior Design: Zoë Feldman, Zoë Feldman Design. Renovation Architecture: Neal Thomson, AIA, and Patrick Cooke, AIA, Thomson & Cooke Architects. Contractor: Hyp Renovations. Tub, Plumbing Fixtures & Flooring: waterworks.com. Marble Backsplash & Counter: atlasstonefabricators.com. Tub Sconces: urbanelectric.com. Mirror: mirrorlot.com. Vanity Sconces: circalighting.com. Vanity: sinklegs.com through weaverhardware.com. Rug: districtloom.com.

First, Carnemark made a clean sweep, removing everything to arrive at an open space housing a large shower, a double vanity and a toilet screened by a partition. He proposed displaying an oversized stone slab as an organic work of art in the shower. A hunt ensued until his clients fell in love with a quartzite specimen at Gramaco. “It has some really cool richness and picks up the trees outside,” says Carnemark. “We tried to minimize everything else in the room.”

A sleek Artelinea vanity fit the bill. Made entirely of glass, it combines matte, back-painted-glass door fronts and an undulating “frosted-glass top that flows into polished glass in the bowls themselves,” explains the designer. Completing the minimalist picture are heated and slip-proof porcelain-tile floors, touch-latch shower niches to stow away toiletries and a linear shower drain.

“This kind of bath is so peaceful to me,” reflects Carnemark. “Some might say there’s not enough going on, but I like it when there are just a couple of points that really draw your attention.”

CREDITS + DETAILS—Bath Design & Contracting: Jonas Carnemark, CR, CKD, CLIPP, CARNEMARK design + build. Floor & Wall Tile: architessa.com. Quartzite Slab: gramaco.com. Slab Fabrication: eurostonecraft.com. Plumbing Fixtures: fantini.it through konstunion.com. Vanity & Mirror: artelinea.it through konstunion.com. Custom Glass Panel: proshowerdoors.com.

The architects drew up a plan for a large, open space housing a tub and custom vanity as well as a separate shower and WC. Determined to salvage the room’s existing fireplace, the owners decided to cover its original brick with a new material. When they discovered book-matched slabs of Aurora Blue quartzite on a shopping trip with Morris, “Their eyes lit up and I knew it would be a stunner,” the designer recalls.

Overmyer and Rowland detailed the protruding fireplace wall to integrate seamlessly with the room’s architecture. Crown molding pays homage to Greek Revival style while contemporary touches—from the vanity’s tapered legs to the sculptural tub—place the project firmly in the 21st century. “Tracy wove a real compromise between the clients,” says Rowland. “They were very adventurous and open-minded in a lot of ways.”

CREDITS + DETAILS—Renovation Architecture: Dale Overmyer, AIA; Laura Rowland, Overmyer Architects. Interior Design: Tracy Morris, Tracy Morris Design. Contractor: Goldsborough Design Build. Marble Floor Tile: architessa.com. Quartzite Fireplace Slab & Marble Countertop: marblesystems.com. Tub: vandabaths.com. Tub & Sink Fixtures: kallista.com. Custom Vanity: jtdylaninc.com. Mirror: riverglassdesigns.com. Sconces: circalighting.com.

SCALLOPED STYLE
Fanfare, a recent offering by Architessa, is a vibrant collection of Japanese-made, glazed-porcelain mosaics. Available in Aqua, Cobalt and White, the tiles come in circles, triangles, stars, scallops and more. Pictured above: Scallop Aqua makes a bold statement. architessa.com

ICONIC SHAPE
Stone Forest elevates the classic trough sink with its elegant Trough Console. A honed Carrara marble basin sits atop the manufacturer’s Elemental Classic Trough Vanity Legs, pictured here in polished nickel. Find at area Ferguson locations. stoneforest.com; ferguson.com

WONDERFUL WOOD
British maker Studio Number 10 uses reclaimed wood sourced from historic buildings to create cabinet knobs and pulls, embellishing them with gold and silver leaf and a coat of clear resin. Find at Push Pull Decorative Hardware in North Bethesda. studionumber10.co.uk; pushpullhardware.com

THREE DIMENSIONAL
A dynamic, undulating surface characterizes Artis White, a 3-D ceramic wall tile made by Porcelanosa. The sleek, 13-by-40-inch tiles come in bronze, silver and matte or high-gloss white; pictured here in an airy, modern bathroom masterminded by Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath. Available locally at Marblex in Fairfax, Virginia. marblexinc.com

ON THE WALL
Designed with a 24-by-12-inch-tile look, Fibo’s Crescendo collection of three-dimensional, 24-by-94-inch wall panels offers easy installation and an affordable price point. The line includes four hues; Gris Grande is pictured. Find at USA Cabinet Store locations. usacabinetstore.com; fibosystemusa.com

Dark-cherry cabinetry made way for white peripheral cabinets, while the island and pantry cupboard were painted in Sherwin-Williams’ Naval for contrast. A marble-tile backsplash in a herringbone pattern animates what is now the hub of the home.

Interior Architecture & Kitchen Design: Charles Almonte, AIA, ASID, Charles Almonte Architecture | Interior Design, Silver Spring, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Accent General Contracting, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The overhaul began with structural changes that opened the kitchen to the adjacent dining and living rooms. “The client loves to cook and entertain and wanted a plan that would allow for better views, flow and connection,” recounts Subaran. “We created two large, framed openings—one to the dining room and one to the living area. A long peninsula with seating helped to define the working part of the kitchen while also transitioning to the more formal dining space.”

Subaran and her team collaborated with Steponkus on the finish selections for the kitchen, where Wood-Mode cabinets stained a warm gray hue are paired with Frosty Carrina countertops by Caesarstone and a marble mosaic backsplash. Built-ins in the dining room, masterminded by Aidan Design to support storage needs, match the kitchen cabinets and connect the spaces visually.

Steponkus addressed décor throughout the apartment. “The client wanted clean lines and a handsome aesthetic,” she recalls. Against a muted backdrop of Phillip Jeffries Grecian Squares wall covering that resembles a faux-painted grid, the designer achieved a tasteful, masculine aesthetic via a palette of grays, blue-greens and beiges, with a focus on texture and graphic patterns. Textiles and rugs boast menswear-inspired herringbone and plaid, from the custom living room seating, covered in fabrics by Larsen and Osborne & Little, to the Lee Industries ottoman clad in leather.

A geometric Carpet Impressions rug grounds the dining room, where counter stools designed by Steponkus harmonize with the existing furniture, including newly reupholstered chairs. Subtly patterned draperies fabricated by Pilchard Designs soften the space.

After completing the project in 2020, Aidan Design returned in 2021 to bring the outmoded owner’s bath (pictured) and powder room up to the level of the rest of the dwelling. “In the primary bath, we wanted to create a rich look, but without using gray hues,” says Subaran. She and her team retained the original layout but replaced fixtures and finishes, beginning with new beige limestone floor tile in a hexagonal shape that ensures a vibe that is “light and bright, but has depth,” she explains. This tile also appears on the shower enclosure floor, providing visual contrast to the white marble wall tile.

The owner preferred a furniture-style vanity, so the designers traded out a builder-grade cabinet with a double sink for a walnut version that resembles a credenza, topped with Dekton, an engineered material comprised of quartz, glass and porcelain. The new vanity offers loads of storage; a corner tub with a walnut surround blends in beautifully.

Interior Design: Sally Steponkus, Sally Steponkus Interiors, Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Nadia N. Subaran, Aidan Design, Silver Spring, Maryland. Contractor: Impact Remodeling and Construction, LLC, Washington, DC.

Bright Spot

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“Like most people, the owners considered the kitchen to be the heart of the home,” Ralston says. “They wanted it to be a casual gathering space for family, but also elegant.”

The first goal, he explains, was to amplify the natural light. Fourteen-foot ceilings and expansive windows overlooking the golf course achieved that goal, while light finishes and elements such as the wood floors and white oak ceiling beams brought warmth.

In the harmonious layout, the range is flanked by mirrored cabinets. Centered in front of that wall, the spacious island incorporates a breakfast nook in the form of a curved, built-in banquette embracing an Arhaus table. The symmetrical layout, which accentuates the range wall, imparts the elegant feel the owners wanted.

Novella Homes’ David Guaglianone and his team had already selected some of the kitchen’s finishes by the time the owners came on the scene—but in a nod to their preference for hunter green, Guaglianone added a green Lacanche range to the mix, then selected complementary Monte Bella quartzite countertops, which feature faint-green veining. A backsplash of greige subway tile in a herringbone pattern frames the custom brass hood by François & Co. Brown and black elements, from the Blanco Silgranite farmhouse sink and painted window frames to the dark-stained island base, create contrast and interest.

Architecture: Warren Ralston, AIA, WCRA, Chantilly, Virginia. Design & Contracting: David Guaglianone, Novella Homes, Leesburg, Virginia.  Styling: Charlotte Safavi.

THE DETAILS
CABINETRY: masterbrand.com. COUNTERTOPS: unitedgranitemd.com. BACKSPLASH: mosaictileco.com. FAUCETS: rubinet.com through fergusonshowrooms.com. APPLIANCES: lacanche.com through frenchranges.com; subzero-wolf.com, askona.com through fergusonshowrooms.com. HOOD: francoisandco.com. LIGHTING: visualcomfortlightinglights.com; arteriorshome.com; hvlgroup.com through fergusonshowrooms.com.

Making the kitchen more functional was a top priority for the homeowners, who like to cook and entertain. “Visitors enter the house from the mudroom off the kitchen,” Marcus explains. “Prior to the renovation, the cooktop, ovens and refrigerator were right there when you walked in from the mudroom. Guests would hang out around the island, right in the working triangle.”

Collaborating with Richard Brodie of Creative Contractors, Marcus improved circulation through the kitchen, relocating appliances and eliminating two small openings between the kitchen and family room in favor of one larger one. “These changes created much better flow,” she explains. The design team also replaced a double window with two separate windows that now flank the range, creating symmetry and allowing for a dramatic Neolith sintered-stone backsplash.

When it came to style, “the clients have a fun, modern aesthetic and were not afraid to go bold,” Marcus avers. Custom onyx-stained walnut and natural rift-cut white oak cabinets offer striking contrast, accentuated by open oak shelving. A minimalist custom hood trimmed in oak forms is centered above the range, while cabinetry wraps around the corner into the breakfast nook to create a coffee station. The L-shaped island, topped by Caesarstone waterfall counters in two different grades of thickness, contribute to the sleek vibe. Noir Furniture counter stools add a touch of glam.

Kitchen & Interior Design: Melissa Marcus, Melissa Marcus Designs, Baltimore, Maryland. Kitchen Cabinetry Supplier: Travis Kedzior, National Lumber Co., Baltimore, Maryland. Contractor: Richard Brodie, Creative Contractors, Inc. Owings Mills, Maryland. Photography: Keyanna Bowen.

THE DETAILS
CABINETRY: plainfancycabinetry.com through nationallumber.biz. COUNTERTOPS: caesarstoneus.com through rocktopsfabrication.com. BACKSPLASH: neolith.com through rocktopsfabrication.com. APPLIANCES: monogram.com, bosch-home.com, subzero-wolf.com through adu.com. FAUCET & SINK: kohler.com through fergusonshowrooms.com.