Tired of their dark, dated kitchen, homeowners tapped designer and architect Charles Almonte to reimagine it. First, Almonte tackled issues of function and flow caused by a separation of the pantry and double ovens from the rest of the kitchen. “We integrated one oven and added a breakfast bar with storage and functional counter space,” Almonte recounts. “The clients liked the idea of a walk-in pantry, so we designed a full-height cabinet that feels like a traditional pantry but doesn’t take up additional floor space.” The redesign also accommodated a spacious island and larger appliances, including a built-in Sub-Zero fridge and a Wolf range.

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.