Working with architect Audrey English of Four Bothers Design + Build, the owners of this 1908 Washington, D.C. row house had some clear thoughts on remodeling their kitchen. With a goal of combining the kitchen and dining room to create a more cohesive space for entertaining, they were committed to a bold, highly textured space with cabinets in dark moody blues or wood tones, hand-made subway tile and plenty of natural light.
The existing kitchen was approximately 150 square feet – a cramped, U-shape layout with a peninsula dividing it from the dining room. The range and refrigerator were very close together with the sink placed opposite, across the only narrow path through the kitchen.
English created a far more functional layout with the sink, refrigerator and range all in their own zones with generous counter space in between. The new kitchen is about 350 square feet.
The clients knew from the start they wanted a custom banquette to better integrate their entertaining and dining spaces with the kitchen. A window in the corner of the room was the natural focal point around which English designed the banquette. It features under-seat storage storage under the seats, and was built on-site.
Moody Colors
The designer used Benjamin Moore’s Soot (2129-20) for the cabinetry, which is bold and dramatic next to the white walls and subway tile backsplash. “Opening up the back wall for large double doors allows a ton of light into the kitchen, which helps the space feel light and bright despite the dark cabinets,” said English. “I also love the peanut butter color of the banquette’s upholstery. Chosen by the clients, it complements the dark blue cabinets beautifully.”
Moody Appliances
The homeowners love to cook and entertain, but didn’t want to sacrifice the space that double ovens would require. They decided that a 48-inch range would be the perfect compromise, which left them deciding between a few luxury brands. They fell for the distinctive look of the AGA Elise model.
But gratification was delayed, owing to supply chain issues. Delivery of the range and the hood insert stretched to ten months. As the housing for the hood was custom (and, like the banquette, would be site-built by the lead carpenter on the Four Brothers team), completion of the kitchen ran late.
Replanning the Powder Room
The powder room was originally oriented horizontally along the back wall of the south-facing kitchen. This left a narrow hallway between the kitchen and the single back door, creating a bottleneck and cutting off the natural light before it could reach the kitchen.
To make room for the new full-lite double doors at the back wall, English redesigned the powder room by rotating it 90 degrees. This opened up the space between the kitchen and the deck, creating room for circulation and allowing daylight to fill the house.
Sources
Design: Audrey English, Associate Architect, Four Brothers Design + Build; Photography: Steve Hershberger, Marketing, Four Brothers Design + Build KITCHEN Cabinets: Elmwood Custom Cabinetry; Cabinet Hardware: Rejuvenation; Cooktop/Range: AGA Elise 48”; Dishwasher, Refrigerator: Fisher & Paykel; Faucets: Perrin and Rowe; Lighting: Mitzi Stella; Paint: Benjamin Moore; Seating: Banquette designed by Audrey English, Four Brothers Design + Build; Sink: Kohler; Tile: Clé Tile; Vent Hood Insert: Monsoon; Wine Cooler: Zephyr POWDER ROOM Faucet: Delta; Sink: Signature Hardware; Tile: Daltile; Wallpaper: Milton and King Ornithology Wallpaper
