The homeowners loved their home; but felt that the kitchen was not in keeping with its overall splendor. The 1990s kitchen had too many outdated colors and finishes; but also lacked the modern features they wanted like a steam oven and built-in espresso maker. While empty nesters, they host a lot of large family functions and they wanted to create an elegant yet inviting space to welcome guests. Adding a little space to the rear of the home and bumping into the three-car garage allowed for more space to improve circulation and create their perfect kitchen.
Goals for the Remodeled Kitchen:
- Enlarge for better circulation for large events
- Incorporate a French Country style
- Create an elegant yet welcoming kitchen for large family gatherings (18-20 people)
- Larger island with seating
- Add a beverage center to the footprint
- Modernize and add functionality to the kitchen
- Add more light in the kitchen; natural and artificial
- Add more pantry storage
BEFORE: The 1990s kitchen had outdated colors and finishes, lacked modern appliances, and wasn’t conducive to large family gatherings. The space lacked appropriate storage and the desk area was never used.
AFTER: The renewed kitchen is larger to promote better circulation and incorporates a new beverage area where the unused desk area used to be. Updated color palette and finishes invoke the client’s desired French Country style.
BEFORE FLOORPLAN: Homeowner Objective: Renovate and enlarge the kitchen
AFTER FLOORPLAN: The Kitchen was enlarged by six feet out the back of the home and two feet bumped into the garage to create better circulation and space for entertaining.
BEFORE REAR: Adding six feet to the rear of the home allowed us to enlarge the kitchen.
AFTER: The rear of home was expanded six feet. In addition, we designed and installed better looking and larger windows in the kitchen and breakfast room area to allow for more natural light.
BEFORE: The interior of the three-car garage was generous and allowed us to “steal” some space for the kitchen.
AFTER: “Stealing” the two feet from the garage is barely noticeable, but made a big difference in the kitchen space.
BEFORE: Kitchen was long and narrow. When the couple entertains 18-20 people monthly, there isn’t comfortable space for everyone.
AFTER: Kitchen is more expansive, allowing for a larger island and walking space. The client recently hosted a 16-person wedding shower and there was ample space for everyone.
BEFORE: The kitchen colors and finishes were outdated.
AFTER: Colors, finishes and moldings update the space and support a French Country theme: Two 28” six-light chandeliers in French Washed Oak create an instant Old-World feel. Benjamin Moore Classic Gray walls provide backdrop to Gibraltar Cliffs blue cabinetry in the beverage center.
BEFORE: Kitchen dining area was unfortunately dark with windows that were too small for the space. Roman columns at the opening to the adjacent family room also were inappropriate for the space.
AFTER: Replacing the small windows with larger ones made a significant improvement in natural light. Removing the Roman columns and replacing them with a beautiful cased opening helps create a more polished space.
BEFORE: View from the kitchen demonstrates the narrow island, peach colored tile floors and lack of overall lighting. The ceiling lacked architectural details.
AFTER: Coffered ceiling and crown molding help to define the functional areas of the kitchen. Note: The coffered ceiling also hides a structural beam. Two silver wide-caged metal pendants create more light in the space; as does the under-cabinet lighting and lights in the upper glass front cabinets.
BEFORE: View toward the range. A large soffit makes the space seem even more enclosed.
AFTER: Removing the soffit allows for taller cabinets with glass door inserts, larger windows… creating a more open and welcoming feel to the space. Wide plank oak floors in a grey/brown spice stain give the space a warm yet polished quality.
BEFORE: Rose colored glazed cabinets were all the rage in the 1990s… coupled with dark brown countertops the space was not as elegant as the homeowners wanted.
AFTER: Maple Antique White painted cabinets, soft grey walls, and lighter countertops create a more elegant, polished ambiance. The subway tile backsplash in textured off-white lends some light reflection. The lights behind the glass cabinet doors add a punch of accent light.
BEFORE: Appliances clutter the countertop.
AFTER: Built-in microwave (in island) and espresso maker, shown in this photo, de-clutter the countertops. A niche above the new 48-inch Subzero Side-by-Side refrigerator/freezer displays some of the homeowners’ artwork. Edwardian antique pewter pulls compliment the overall French Country composition. A new pantry to the left of the Subzero expands kitchen storage capacity.
THE DETAILS: The new additional pantry was made possible by bumping into the garage two feet. This pantry is intended to house appliances and bulking cooking accessories vs. the renewed original pantry which houses food staples and party supplies. Electric outlets on the pantry shelves allow the client to use small appliances without moving them out of the pantry. A “no swing” pocket door helps with circulation.
BEFORE PANTRY
The AFTER original main pantry was made larger by moving the door from an angled opening to a linear opening; allowing for more floor to ceiling wall shelving and therefore, more storage.
THE DETAILS: Perimeter cabinets in off-white complement the darker stained island cabinetry. Perimeter counter tops in Carrara Caldia are lighter in color and have less movement in the pattern than the island’s Perla Venata Quartzite. These tops meet the client requirement to be heat and stain resistant.
Amelia Single Light 16″ Tall Wall Sconces flank the Farmhouse sink
Specially designed cabinetry make access to baking sheets easy. A specially designed drawer accommodates the Meili espresso maker accessories.
A custom designed Zinc clad range hood is a special feature in the kitchen.
The Wolf ventilation liner is appropriate for the 48” Dual Fuel Range.
The client wanted three seats at the bar – USB charging outlets make the space even more functional.
A 25-inch undermount prep sink extends usefulness of the island.
BEFORE: The desk area wasn’t used for it’s intended purpose.
AFTER: A new beverage area helps with entertaining by providing more bar storage away from the main food prep area. Guests can help themselves while the host is busy in the kitchen. The beverage area is made more beautiful with the Lattice Mosaic Carrara Marble backsplash.
Obstacles Overcome: The client DID NOT WANT ANY SUPPORT COLUMNS IN THIS KITCHEN. To avoid support columns, we needed a steel beam to support the second floor, allowing us to extend the first floor and create the space needed for this gourmet kitchen.
The steel beam required by the load above, would not fit within the existing floor framing, so we cleverly concealed it within the coffer beams. This took a tremendous amount of coordination between the beam placement, coffer beam treatment and cabinetry since the coffer beam is tied directly into the cabinetry to the left and right of the custom zinc hood. We were successful!
Superior Craftsmanship: These photos are examples of two ways we go the extra step to ensure a high-quality finished product. Creating a range hood template ensures proper placement for venting and cabinets.
Laying out cabinetry and hardware ahead of installation ensures proper clearance.
Beyond the kitchen space, we had to give this mudroom/laundry area a complete refresh.
New hardwood flooring and paint colors make a huge difference.
BEFORE POWDER ROOM
AFTER: The powder room got a complete update; new, more modern everything.
BEFORE LAUNDRY AREA
The AFTER LAUNDRY AREA off the mudroom demonstrates how new cabinetry adds functionality and an aesthetic appeal.
The finished product met all the client’s expectations and requirements; is structurally sound… and beautifully.
Award Winning Remodelers in Northern Virginia – Bowers Design Build has specialized in providing the best overall experience in the remodeling industry since 1990. Bowers Design Build specializes in Northern Virginia Remodeling and Northern Virginia Custom Homes. Our numerous industry remodeling awards have been great, but the true measure of our success has been high marks in overall customer satisfaction
Service areas: McLean, Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna, Oakton, Great Falls, Alexandria, Fairfax County and Middleburg.
Specializing in: Northern Virginia New Custom Homes, Northern Virginia Whole House Renovations, Northern Virginia Kitchen Renovations, Northern Virginia Master Bathroom Renovations, Northern Virginia Interior Renovations, Northern Virginia Basement Renovations, Renovations for Aging-in-Place and Northern Virginia Outdoor Living Spaces.
