Liberated from its original location – pushed deep under a stairway – in a 1911 converted carriage house, this kitchen now brings an injection of color to the interior of the Washington, DC residence, thanks to kitchen designer Jennifer Gilmer, CKD and architect Amy Gardner, FAIA LEED-AP.
Incorporating a Personal Touch
Enthusiastic world travelers, the homeowners’ eclectic collection of furnishings was the jumping-off point for developing the color and material palettes. “She has an extraordinary eye for vintage objects, color and form,” said Gardner of one of the clients.
An antique Chinese chest was strategically placed on the end of the island that faces the front door where it sets the tone for the entire kitchen. The piece inspired the colors used by kitchen designer Jennifer Gilmer for the project. Photo: John Cole
A weathered antique Chinese chest, decorated with handpainted floral and bird motifs and sporting vintage brass hardware, anchors not just the kitchen island itself but also the color scheme for the entire room. Gilmer interpreted its dusky brick-red body into a custom base shade for the kitchen’s lower cabinets and refrigerator panel, then laid on a black glaze and a light distressing to complete the look. “We had to get a second sample with the glaze, since the first sample was too flat,” she explained.
“Bringing in light at every opportunity was crucial,” said Gardner, who specified a frosted glass entry door to that end. To maintain the integrity of the color palette, the design team used light fixtures that had exceptional Color Rendering Index (CRI) values.
Colorizing the Cabinetry & Surfaces
To clad the island that now houses the storage chest, Gilmer created a modified waterfall design using Bristol Blue quartz surfacing from Cambria. Again, the deep, grounding hue picks up on the details of the antique. It also chromatically bridges with the black-glass cooktop and oven.
The lines of kitchen were kept clean and contemporary while the color and material selections added character and depth. The yellow used for the back-painted glass backsplash is a reference to the client’s travels in Morocco; the exposed wood ceiling is a nod to the original carriage house. Photo: John Cole
These appliances are framed by whisper-gray wall cabinets; their color draws on the once-industrial aesthetic of the home. A sunny yellow backsplash at the cooktop raises the eye above counter level. The saturated color for the glossy, back-painted glass panel was custom-mixed to recall memorable hues the client had seen in her travels to Morocco.
The kitchen is the part of the home where color is the most concentrated. “As you move up in the building to the second and third floors, the colors become less primary and less saturated; up on the third floor in the master suite, they are very light and warm, with natural woods assuming prominence,” said Gardner. This approach reinforces the way the house is used: neutral tones soothe in the private areas while color animates and energizes the kitchen, its most social space.
Sources
Kitchen Designer: Jennifer Gilmer CKD, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath Architect: Amy Gardner FAIA LEED-AP, Gardner Architects LLC General Contractor: Added Dimensions Structural Engineer: Dave Linton, Linton Engineering Landscape Architect: Holt Jordan, Jordan Honeyman Photographer: John Cole Backsplash: Hutchison Glass Cabinets, Cabinet Inserts: Quality Custom Cabinets, Inc. Cooktop, Dishwasher, Wall Oven, Vent Hood: Miele Countertops: Cambria Microwave: Monogram Refrigerator: Liebherr
