Tired of their kitchen, which was closed off from both the dining room and the adjacent family room of their 1980s home in DC’s Palisades neighborhood, a couple turned to Carnemark design + build for help. “They wanted to open up space and make it sleek, with a nice flow to the other rooms,” says principal Jonas Carnemark.

He and his team removed the wall between the family room and kitchen, replacing it with a flush beam in the ceiling to allow a seamless transition between the two spaces. The doorway from the kitchen to the dining room was centered on the wall and enlarged.

A distinctive slab of granite with swirls of green, gray and black first inspired the owners, who chose it for their countertops. They preferred a warm yet minimalist look, so Carnemark paired the granite with SieMatic cabinetry in a quartered-teak veneer, foregoing upper cabinetry for lower-level storage and an appliance wall that houses two ovens, a fridge, and a pantry cupboard. A large window behind the sink was replaced by two smaller ones, positioned high to admit light without sacrificing privacy from the neighbors on that side of the house.

Instead of a traditional breakfast nook, Carnemark installed a smoked-oak bridge table, attached to the counter, as a casual dining area. Above it, a sleek pendant illuminates the room. A pop of purple frames the appliance wall and the niche into which the windows, cooktop, and hood are positioned, adding interest and a touch of fun to the room.

Kitchen Design & Contracting: Jonas Carnemark, CKD, Carnemark design + build, Bethesda, Maryland. Cabinetry: Konst SieMatic. Countertops: Wild Chianti granite. Backsplash: Back-painted glass. Appliances: Wolf, Miele. Sink: Franke. Faucet: Axor Starck through Hansgrohe. Pendant: Studio Italia Design.