When homeowners – a security executive and a real estate pro – wanted to redo their kitchen to better suit their lifestyle, they tapped Ann Gottlieb IIDA, LEED AP of Virginia-based Ann Gottlieb Design for the project. What initially started as a cosmetic refresh of their all-white kitchen quickly turned into full-gut renovation to make way for a 16-foot kitchen island.
Bidding the old kitchen adieu wouldn’t be difficult. The 15 x 11 room lacked light, had too-tight walkways and no coherent work triangle; the range, dishwasher, microwave and sink were crammed onto a small portion of one wall. Even if the appliances were relocated, the footprint wouldn’t accommodate the large island the clients wanted, so Gottlieb engineered an addition to the back of the home.
Taller & Wider
“We bumped out the exterior wall six feet and added larger windows and side windows,” she said. “We continued the slope of the roof but had the space to pop it up a bit to add some extra height for the AC/heating units. The existing vertical supports and ceiling beams definitely affected the layout and limited where we placed the appliances.”
With the kitchen now measuring 20 x 17.5, there was little problem in fitting a 16-foot island to the space. With an expansive quartzite worktop uninterrupted by a sink or cooktop, it’s ideal for entertaining, which the clients do frequently. Base cabinets at the island and throughout the kitchen and adjoining pantry sport an array of organizing inserts, including a corner pull-out lazy Susan, utensil and knife trays, an appliance garage and specialized storage for baking trays, ladles and bar accessories.
Color & Texture
The homeowners preferred a dark color for the cabinetry in order to establish a sense of drama in the kitchen. Gottlieb opted to use a very deep espresso-brown stain on the cherry-wood cabinets, creating a veneer look that appears rustic yet sleek and complements the newly exposed beams. For the wall cladding, it was love at first sight for the clients when the designer showed them frosted and glazed subway tiles from Ann Sacks. Window treatments of indigo blue crushed velvet add a note of softness to the room. Above the island, a pair of large linear pendant fixtures in a gold finish bring the sparkle to the space.
Sources
Design: Ann Gottlieb, Ann Gottlieb Design Photography: Angela Newton Roy Cabinets, Cabinet Inserts: Showplace Cabinet Hardware: Signature Hardware Cooktop, Dishwasher, Range, Refrigerator: JennAir Countertops: Custom Quartzite Faucets, Sinks: Kohler Lighting: Visual Comfort & Regina Andrew Microwave: Sharp Paint: Benjamin Moore Seating: Blu Dot Tile: Ann Sacks Vent Hood: Vent-A-Hood Wine Cooler: Azure
