Wishing to add some pizzazz to their traditional home, an Arlington couple decided to redesign the staid kitchen, which did not reflect their youthful, modern sensibility. They contacted Meghan Browne of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath to help them orchestrate the job.

Though they retained the kitchen’s basic layout, Browne reorganized a few elements to improve functionality. The fridge and double ovens traded places while the cooktop moved from the island to the back wall, where a custom hood provides improved ventilation. “We extended the island to better fit the proportions of the room,” Browne recounts. “And by thoughtfully planning each cabinet, we were able to make a major impact on how the kitchen works for their needs.”

But the real transformation was aesthetic. Browne introduced a sleek, streamlined sensibility, contrasting horizontal-grain cabinets in a wood-look laminate with white upper cabinets and a white Caesarstone countertop to keep the space light. A Neolith backsplash that mimics Carrara marble ties the cabinetry colors together. “It’s very important that the cabinet wood grain matches for a clean, contemporary look,” the designer observes. “Especially with a strong grain like this one.”

The island sports a bold blue hue that the owners embraced. Extending the length of the island, the waterfall countertop in leathered granite shot through with gray and blue creates a novel bar for casual dining. Paired with the blue island, says Browne, “it stands out and adds a fun vibe to the space.”

Kitchen Design: Meghan Browne, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Lappas Construction, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland. Photography: Keith Miller, Keiana Photography.

THE DETAILS
Cabinetry: artcraftkitchens.com. Countertops: caesarstoneus.com through stoneandtileworld.com. Granite Counter: marblesystems.com. Granite Counter Fabrication: stoneandtileworld.com. Backsplash: neolith.com. Appliances: mieleusa.com, subzero-wolf.com through abwappliances.com. Custom Hood: amoredesignfactory.com. Hardware: emtek.com through pushpullhardware.com. Sinks: elkay.com. Faucets: rohlhome.com. Pendants: rejuvenation.com. Stools: roomandboard.com.