A large island provides plenty of workspace and room for informal meals.
Tired of their traditional builder-grade kitchen, a Chevy Chase couple approached interior designer Craig Embrey for help. They wanted additional storage and counter space and a sleek, modern look.
Working with kitchen designer Larry Rosen, whose firm supplied the cabinetry, Embrey devised a plan that would transform the space from bland to bold.
A new palette offsets dark espresso cabinetry with white Caesarstone countertops. Embrey bleached the original maple floors to blend with the new look. A large island provides plenty of workspace and room for informal meals. “I didn’t want to line the seats up like a diner,” says Rosen, so he created seating space on both sides of the island.
Streamlined cabinetry, extending from floor to ceiling, conceals storage and pantry space. “My client wanted to clean up the clutter,” says Embrey. “They have a clever cabinet with all their small appliances in it.”
A large Thermador hood creates a focal point. Equipped with an external box mounted on the side of the house, it barely makes a sound. Low-voltage recessed lighting illuminates the finished space.
The designers removed a knee wall separating the kitchen and an adjacent breakfast room (not pictured), which opens to a rear terrace through new glass doors. “I opened it up and made it all glass,” says Embrey. “In the morning, it’s gorgeous.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: CRAIG EMBREY, Joseph Craig Embrey Design, Chevy Chase, Maryland. KITCHEN DESIGN: LARRY ROSEN, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: ACD Remodeling, Rockville, Maryland.
All the Details
Cabinetry: Elmwood. Countertops: Caesarstone. Appliances: Thermador through Ferguson. Stools: Crate & Barrel. Faucet & Hardware: Union Hardware.