Homeowners in Avenel wished to update their 15-year-old house and contacted designer Kristin Peake for the job. To overhaul the builder-grade kitchen, Peake tapped Hedy Shashaani of Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens to design a fresh, transitional space that would reflect the home’s aesthetic while imparting new levels of quality and functionality.
The original layout was problematic, with one large, angular island that held the cooktop, downdraft hood and sink. The size and location of the island impeded traffic flow, and the walk-in pantry was awkwardly situated. “We created flow by breaking up the island into two,” Shashaani explains. “Now each island has its own purpose.” One is for food prep and the other—with seating for five and a wine cooler—is for entertaining; located by the breakfast area, it also serves as a buffet. The walk-in pantry was replaced with a wall of easy-access pantry cupboards.
Shashaani relocated the cooktop (now a 36-inch gas range and oven from the Wolf Pro Series) to the far wall. The new range is paired with a custom hood in contrasting finishes that measures over seven feet, creating an attractive focal point for the room. “A lot of houses have downdraft ventilation, but it’s rarely sufficient,” Shashaani comments.
The peripheral cabinetry, by Elmwood, is painted in Warm Concrete with Oyster glaze, while the furniture-like islands are stained in Driftwood. Dishware is stored in a hutch with antiqued mirror doors near the breakfast area. The countertops and backsplash are made of honed Calcutta Gold marble.
KITCHEN DESIGN: HEDY SHASHAANI, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Rockville, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: KRISTIN PEAKE, Kristin Peake Interiors, LLC, Rockville, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: GREG LENTZ. PHOTOGRAPHY: STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG.
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