5 Amazing Kitchens: Visual Balance A Pikesville, Maryland, couple looking to update their kitchen went shopping for appliances—and fell in love. The object of their attraction was a display of Biedermeier cabinetry by Premier Custom Cabinetry, and they knew right away that it was what they wanted. They decided that Jennifer Gilmer, who had worked with Biedermeier cabinetry before, was the designer for the job.

“Designing with Biedermeier is complicated,” Gilmer explains. “It has to be really balanced visually because of the black framing. Everywhere you have a door you also have a rectangle.” If you’re not careful, says Gilmer, the result can look disjointed, with a jumble of black frames in disparate sizes dotting your kitchen’s landscape.

The homeowners’ initial thought was to place a large island in the center of their spacious kitchen. However, this would block easy access to the periphery of the room, where all the appliances—including two traditional ovens and a microwave/speed oven by Miele and a Gaggenau steam oven—would be located. Gilmer suggested two islands instead of one, enabling the cook to pass easily between stations and to stand between islands for food prep. One island also has seating so the family can dine buffet-style, which is their preference. 

The cabinetry is made of quartered, figured cherry and the black-and-white marble backsplash is cut into tile shapes. Absolute Black granite counters line the perimeter, while Caesarstone tops the islands. A built-in desk occupies one area.

KITCHEN DESIGN: JENNIFER GILMER, CKD, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: EDWARD R. STOUGH, Edward R. Stough, Inc., Pikesville, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: ANDY SHAW, Shaw Contracting, Inc., Royal Oak, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: BOB NAROD.

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Contemporary Classic
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