To create a bright and modern kitchen from a cramped and inefficient workspace in a 1928 Dutch Colonial home in Chevy Chase, DC, MV Architects reconfigured the curiously dysfunctional layout of the 9 x 14.5 room.
The original refrigerator and pantry cupboards were difficult to access, as they were located along a narrow passageway that connected to the front entry and provided access to the basement. In the kitchen proper, all cabinets were inexplicably confined to one wall, in a layout that would be appropriate for a small galley, but not a room of this size. The kitchen felt very disconnected from the rest of the house, including the adjacent dining room and screened porch.
The firm, which has offices in Annapolis and Washington DC, started the transformation by flipping the sink to the opposite wall, a move that provided a visual and physical connection to the porch as well as a new location for the range. Wall cabinets with flip-up and pocket doors conceal small appliances and deep pantry cabinets offer organized storage.
The old door to the dining room was replaced with a large arched drywall opening, making it perfect for entertaining and allows the chef to be social with their guests.
Modern Kitchen, Contemporary Colors
The new flat slab cabinet doors provide a minimalist aesthetic, while walnut accents, intentionally spread throughout the space, bring in warmth and provide a depth that elevates the simple cabinetry style. The arched openings and white artisan wall tile soften the aesthetic of the modern kitchen, tying into the vintage feel of the rest of the home.
Happily, the client was not afraid of color and so the MV team enthusiastically leaned into that opportunity. Black soapstone countertops provide a grounding contrast to the white walls and create a timeless color scheme when paired with the walnut accents and rich blue cabinetry, which is custom painted with Farrow & Ball De Nimes.
Sources
Design: MV Architects: Interiors, Architecture and Styling Photography: Frazier Springfield Builder and Cabinet Rep: Impact Construction Architessa: Marie Page Push Pull: Jonathan Pilley KITCHEN Cabinets: Cuisine Ideale Cabinet Hardware: Top Knobs Faucets: Brizo Paint: Benjamin Moore Range: Monogram Refrigerator: Bosch Sinks: Elkay Tile: Architessa, Adex Vent Hood: Zephyr
