When a professional couple in Washington, D.C., needed an extensive renovation for their loft-style condo, they sought out Mary Douglas Drysdale of Drysdale Design Associates because they could see from the project photos on her website that she had terrific range. They appreciated her attention to detail and trusted that she could successfully achieve their goal of living in a space that made them happy with a lofty townhouse kitchen design.
At the project onset, the homeowners did not feel they had the budget to include the kitchen in their townhome overhaul. Drysdale, a designer with more than 25 years under her belt, knew how to time her suggestions appropriately, and after their excitement around the other changes being made, the couple was quickly on board with giving the previous kitchen a new life.
Project Purposes
“Our goal for this kitchen was to make it work for everyday cooking and to be an extension of the look and feel of the overall loft expression of their condo,” said Drysdale. “We also wanted a space that allowed my clients to cook and entertain simultaneously and one where their friends would feel at home.”
The former kitchen was long and narrow, the cabinets stuck out 14 inches past the range, and they were too short for the tall ceiling – creating what Drysdale called an expanse of space with nothing happening. Taking the cabinets to the ceiling was not an option because of budget, but she really wanted to create something with a strong visual impact to support the elevation.
Balancing the Budget
Although the original figure was surpassed, Drysdale was able to extend the timeline by a year so the couple had time to save money for the project fund. She was able to come up with solutions to save and splurge to stay within the established goals.
To open the kitchen and infuse the space on a grand scale, Drysdale covered the huge wall behind the range in black and white porcelain tile. The cost of slabs can really add up, but she was able to secure some that were partially cut, which lessened their expense – as did their color, as black and white are more common offerings.
Drysdale also wanted the hood to fill the wall instead of coming up short, but a custom option would have been pricey. Instead, she created the wood enclosure for the vent and stained it to match the porcelain tile behind it. The striped wall in the bar area is painted, which is a less expensive option than tile, and the floor is existing. The Viking appliance package was a splurge, but Drysdale’s cost-cutting solutions made this possible.
Lofty Townhouse Kitchen Design Details
The designer worked within the kitchen’s existing floor plan, but she made much better use of the space. An underused area opposite the main kitchen was transformed into a bar area for entertaining, as well as additional cabinetry and the refrigerator.
The homeowners are partial to black, white and blue hues, which were used for the porcelain backsplash, the striped wall in the bar and the custom-made artwork.
“The artwork was not part of the original budget, but I wanted to focus on pieces that would add interest, drama and color,” said Drysdale. “We looked at it like an investment versus something that would be devalued over time.”
The countertops are clad in black granite, which complements the dining and coffee tables in the surrounding spaces. A stainless-steel sink and faucet contribute to the sleek look of the kitchen.
The main project challenge was overcome when Drysdale explained to the homeowners that including the kitchen in the renovation would add real estate value. She was able to spend the budget effectively and respected her clients’ needs. The homeowners love their new condo, and as a result, they spend much more time being social and entertaining at home
“Working with them was a wonderful experience,” said Drysdale. “In all my decades as a designer, I count these clients among my favorites. They provided clear communication, were responsive, and they understood that as the clients, they had a job to do, too.”
Sources
Designer: Mary Douglas Drysdale, Drysdale Design Associates Inc.; Photographer: John Cole; Appliances: Viking; Cabinets & Hardware: Cabinets.com; Countertops: US Marble and Granite; Hood: Bullseye Wood; Rug: Claudia Mills; Tile: Architessa
