Columbia, Maryland, homeowners tapped designer Paul Bentham to transform a closed-off kitchen into an open, contemporary space that would better fit their needs. “The wife is an avid baker and hostess,” Bentham says. “An island with lots of prep space was mandatory.”
The new floor plan opened the kitchen up and added square footage by incorporating a small dining room into the footprint. A dual-level island boasts an auxiliary sink and storage beneath a Calacatta Nuvo quartz waterfall countertop; the island has a table-like extension for food prep or meals.
In order to make space appear larger and wider, Bentham relied on reflective surfaces. The range hood is clad in mirrored stainless steel, while the table portion of the island has a base wrapped in mirrored glass that creates the illusion that the island is floating.
Vertical-grain, high-gloss cabinetry adds further reflectivity and Veli pendants by Slamp add a touch of glamour.
The Details KITCHEN DESIGN: Paul Bentham, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Ltd., Chevy Chase, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: Mike Thornton, M.R. Thornton & Sons, Inc., Woodbine, Maryland. CABINETRY: zonavita.com. COUNTERTOPS: caesarstoneus.com. BACKSPLASH & GLASS FABRICATION: hutchisonglassandmirror.com. APPLIANCES: mieleusa.com, subzero-wolf.com, rangecraft.com. PENDANTS: lumens.com.
