Home & Design

Cream of the Crop The 2017 Kitchen & Bath Awards, organized by the Baltimore-Washington Chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and sponsored by Home & Design, welcomed 89 entries from area designers. This year’s panel of local judges included architect Bruce Wentworth of Wentworth, Inc.; designer Victoria Sanchez of Victoria at Home; Meghan Fox of Fox Design Studio, LLC; and Home & Design editor in chief Sharon Jaffe Dan.

Winning entries, shown on the following pages, suggest that gray and white kitchens are here to stay (for now), brass is back—but in a matte finish—and leathered surfaces are all the rage. Smoothie bars and indoor herb cultivators reflect an emphasis on health. And organic materials reveal a desire to create spaces that soothe homeowners and guests in au naturel style.

1st PLACE

Brass & Glass—Large Kitchen
Kitchen Design: Sarah Kahn Turner, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland

Treetop Aerie—Large Bath
Interior & Bath Design: Mary Douglas Drysdale, Drysdale, Inc., Washington, DC.

Retro Vibe—Medium Kitchen
Kitchen Design: Paul Bentham, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Moment of Zen—Medium Bath
Bath Design & Renovation: Jonas Carnemark, CKD, Carnemark design + build, Bethesda, Maryland.

True Blue—Specialty Room
Scarlett Breeding, AIA, Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects, Annapolis, Maryland.

2nd PLACE

Minimalist Makeover—Large Kitchen
Kitchen Design: Sarah Kahn Turner, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Bathed in Light—Large Bath
Bath Design: Paul Bentham, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Old World Style—Medium Kitchen
Kitchen Design: Shannon Kadwell, CMKBD, Allied ASID, Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Cabin John, Maryland.

3rd PLACE

Modern Update—Large Kitchen
Kitchen Design: Davida Rodriguez, CKD, Davida’s Kitchen + Tiles, Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Honorable Mention

Industrial Edge—Large Kitchen
Kitchen Design: Paul Bentham, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland.

True Blue

Located just off the kitchen in a waterfront home near Annapolis, this bold bar space was designed to make entertaining easy and enjoyable. And, says architect Scarlett Breeding, “we also wanted to celebrate the character of the property with nautical and maritime-inspired details.”

She and project designer Richard Anuszkiewicz collaborated on the space, seamlessly concealing an under-counter ice maker, refrigerator, and wine cooler behind the royal blue cabinet doors to create a ship-shape look. They selected a hand-hammered copper sink and knurled Waterworks hardware for rustic appeal. Graphic wallpaper on the ceiling accentuates the height of the room and adds a whimsical—and affordable—
design note.

The casework resembles fine furniture rather than stock cabinetry, while the teak countertop provides water resistance, durability and a nod to finely crafted yachts sailing by the home.

Architecture: Scarlett Breeding, AIA; Interior Design & Casework: Richard Anuszkiewicz, Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. Contractor: Bayview Builders, Annapolis, Maryland.

THE DETAILS   Cabinetry: kountrykraft.com. Wood Countertop: glumber.com. Copper Sink: waterworks.com. Faucet: thompsontraders.com.

 

Industrial Edge

Designing a kitchen on the expansive top floor of an old North Carolina tobacco warehouse-turned-residence demanded a number of outside-the-box solutions.

“Finding a way to hide the working parts of the kitchen was our biggest challenge,” says designer Paul Bentham, “along with providing adequate storage without having to use wall cabinets.” A quartet of pantries installed on the room’s only interior wall cleverly solved both dilemmas. Retractable pocket doors in grain-matched paldao veneer conceal shelves and drawers, an extra dishwasher and sink and a coffee station when they’re not in use, leaving the walkway unobstructed by cabinet doors. The opposite wall houses the refrigerator, freezer, stacked ovens and an induction cooktop.

Two parallel islands provide plenty of workspaces. Materials ranging from contrasting wood surfaces to concrete floors and black-leathered granite create a bold interplay.

Kitchen Design: Paul Bentham, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: W.L. Bishop, Hillsborough, North Carolina. Carpentry: Darren Coultrap Carpentry; 919-559-3327.

THE DETAILS   Appliances: mieleusa.com. Faucet: dornbracht.com. Cabinets: premiercb.com. Countertops: glumber.com. Wine Refrigerators: subzero-wolf.com.

 

Modern Update

This makeover completely transformed the cramped, poorly functioning kitchen of a 1920s DC row house. Working together, architect Carmel Greer and kitchen designer Davida Rodriguez enlarged the space by removing a pantry and powder room. Their design introduced an open, streamlined floor-plan featuring plenty of space for storage and their clients’ new appliances—including an Urban Cultivator (next to the ovens) that grows herbs and organic greens all year round.

“Opening up space from the front of the house to the back created a dramatic effect,” says Rodriguez. “The vertical lines of the cabinetry add to the drama, drawing the eye up.”

Two-toned contemporary cabinetry and waterfall quartz countertops convey a modern aesthetic, but the project also preserves the home’s original rustic brick and beams. A copper backsplash brings texture and reflectivity into the finished space.

Architecture & Interiors: Carmel Greer, AIA, LEEP AP, District Design, Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Davida Rodriguez, CKD, Davida’s Kitchen + Tiles, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Contractor: Oscar Tellez, H.I. Contractors LLC, Bethesda, Maryland. 

THE DETAILS   Brookhaven Cabinets: wood-mode.com. Refrigerator: subzero-wolf.com. Dishwashers & Range: kitchenaid.com. GE Cafe Series Oven: geappliances.com. Hood: mieleusa.com. Urban Cultivator: urbancultivator.net. Chandelier: potterybarn.com.

Old World Style

A small, dark and outdated kitchen made way for this cleverly planned, light-filled redo in Potomac. Though the footprint stayed the same, the new design allows for added workspace and storage.

Says kitchen designer Shannon Kadwell, “The inspiration for this project came from the clients’ love of the European farm kitchen.” A classic Lacanche range from France, as well as honed marble countertops, recall visits to the French countryside.

Tall glass storage cupboards and a butler’s pantry lined with open shelves store necessities within easy reach. Shallow drawers in the seating area under the island stow away linens.

“The island also creates a comfortable resting spot for light meals,” says Kadwell, “and an efficiently functional space for prep and clean-up.”

Architecture: Marian Vaias, AIA; Interior Design: Keira St Claire, Allied ASID; Kitchen Design: Shannon Kadwell, CMKBD, Allied ASID; Lead Carpenter: George Noble; Project Manager: John Botkin; Contractor: Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Cabin John, Maryland.

THE DETAILS   Sink: rohlhome.com through ferguson.com. Marble Countertops & Backsplash: marblexinc.com. Cabinets: elmwoodkitchens.com through jackrosen.com. Sub-Zero Refrigerator, Bosch Dishwasher, Vent-a-Hood Hood & Sharp Microwave: adu.com. Visual Comfort Lights: dulleselectric.com.

Bathed in Light

The first move designer Paul Bentham made in this bathroom remodel was to tear out a lowered ceiling and its fluorescent fixtures that blocked the room’s vaulted skylights—brightening the mood considerably. By ditching a bathtub the owners rarely used, Bentham was able to install floating vanities that face one another. He also added frosted-glass panels to screen the water closet and shower.

“The client wanted to create a calming, spa-like feel with warm wood tones and no jarring or stark color combinations,” explains the designer. Nara beige ceramic wall tiles by Porcelanosa, he adds, “have a wave texture dragging through them to create a beautiful, calming movement.” And concrete-like ceramic floor tile, also from Porcelanosa, complements the stronger taupe of the walls and the darker wood cabinetry.

Bath Design: Paul Bentham, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Mike Thornton & Sons, Woodbine, Maryland. Stylist: Charlotte Safavi. 

THE DETAILS   Vanities: premiercb.com. Medicine Cabinets: robern.com. Countertops: caesarstoneus.com. Sconces: techlighting.comSink, Faucets & Toilet: kohler.comShower Fixtures: grohe.com/us. Towel Bars: graff-faucets.comFloor & Shower Tile: porcelanosa-usa.com.

 

Minimalist Makeover

Gone are the vestiges of the dated French Country-style kitchen that came before this clean-lined, minimalist renovation. Designer Sarah Kahn Turner kept the narrow space as open as possible for a husband and wife who both love to cook. She anchored the dual ovens and refrigerator/freezer at the far end of the space, making way for a central island with storage and workspace on either side. Double sinks create separate and efficient zones for prep/clean-up and cooking. A coffee station tucked into the pantry next to the ovens keeps the Caesarstone countertops uncluttered.

The material selection started with handmade backsplash tile by Heath Ceramics. Says the wife, a San Francisco native, “Heath Tile has a quintessential mid-century look—and it originated north of San Francisco, so it reminds me of great times with family.”

Kitchen Design: Sarah Kahn Turner, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Llaveroes Services LLC, Germantown, Maryland. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.

THE DETAILS   Cabinets: qualitycabinets.com. Light Fixtures: illuminc.com. Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Freezer & Hood: mieleusa.com. Wolf Range & Double Ovens: fretz.com. Sharp Microwave Drawer: ferguson.com. Caesarstone Countertops: stoneandtileworld.com. Hardware: pushpullhardware.com. Duravit Fixtures: tsomerville.com.

Moment of Zen

The renovation of a drab and dreary bathroom turned it into a clean-lined oasis. The challenge facing designer Jonas Carnemark was finding a way to accommodate the large shower with multiple fixtures and the design elements his clients wanted without overpowering the modest space, which encompassed a dormer window facing the front yard.

A slender basin sink maintains a low profile over a bamboo towel holder. Above, a mirrored medicine cabinet contains internal lighting and outlets. A separate space to the left houses the WC.

To the right, Carnemark created an oversized shower with a cathedral ceiling and rain-shower fixture. A bench is tucked under the dormer window, which is protected from water by a panel of frosted glass.

A modern material palette prevails, from the quartz sink to the large-format porcelain tile that envelops the entire space and, says Carnemark, “creates congruous warmth throughout.”

Bath Design & Renovation: Jonas Carnemark, CKD, Carnemark design + build, Bethesda, Maryland. 

THE DETAILS   Floor & Wall Tile: architecturalceramics.com. Sink: silestoneusa.comSink, Shower Fixtures, Basin & Towel Rack: kohler.com/us. Medicine Cabinet: maax.com/en.

Retro Vibe

The redesign of an 1868 Georgetown row house paid homage to the building’s classic origins. Kitchen designer Paul Bentham and architects Ankie Barnes and Matthew Fiehn created a look that would not only reflect the home’s vintage but also make a strong design statement. The cabinetry is finished in black; a matching custom hood above the range creates a focal point under the room’s trio of windows. A white subway-tile backsplash, farmhouse sink and marble countertops lighten the darker tones, as do open shelves that highlight the backsplash behind them.

Bentham designed a large island, also with open shelving at one end, to create a spot for casual meals. Combining brass pendant lights and handcrafted nickel hardware from England, he says, “allowed us to stay up with the trends without being too trendy.”

Architecture: Ankie Barnes, FAIA, LEED AP; Matthew Fiehn, AIA, LEED AP, Barnes Vanze Architects, Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Paul Bentham, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Builder: Falcon Construction, Rockville, Maryland. Stylist: Charlotte Safavi.

THE DETAILS   Cabinetry: qualitycabinets.com. Hood: rangecraft.com. Speed Oven & Dishwasher: mieleusa.com. Range & Refrigerator: subzero-wolf.com. Fixtures: rohlhome.com. Hardware: horton-brasses.com.

 

Treetop Aerie

This glass-enclosed bath suite, conceived as part of a whole-house renovation, is perched in the treetops of a Northwest DC property. The functional and minimalist design by Mary Douglas Drysdale features separate glass enclosures for the shower and WC, along with a soaking tub, dressing room, coffee station, private deck and even a workspace with a white-lacquered wood desk.

Drysdale instilled a sense of calm and order, deftly connecting the various spaces through a simple yet refined material palette of Thassos marble and matching Caesarstone. This clean, white backdrop also allows the outdoor colors to take center stage.

“I was concerned about privacy even though my client wasn’t,” admits Drysdale. “Our compromise was rollover shutters on windows facing the street side of the home.”

This luxurious suite, which replaced a mundane, 1950s-era bathroom, provides the homeowner with a true escape in her own house.

Interior & Bath Design: Mary Douglas Drysdale, Drysdale, Inc., Washington, DC. Builder: Falcon Construction, Rockville, Maryland.

THE DETAILS   Thassos Marble: architecturalceramics.com. Glass: Ultra Clear through showerdoorexperts.com. Vanity: robern.com. Vanity Sink & Soaking Tub: dxv.com.

 

Brass & Glass

Empty nesters building a custom home in Bethesda envisioned a kitchen that would revolve around entertaining and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Architect Anne Decker and kitchen designer Sarah Kahn Turner crafted a sophisticated space that would meet these needs and more.

The window side of the kitchen focuses on food prep, with a cooktop and downdraft vent on the island. An adjacent wall of tall, white retractable doors conceals the refrigerator and freezer, a smoothie station with its own fruit-and-vegetable fridge and a steam oven. Opposite the window wall, a wet bar features cabinet doors bound in faux leather. A black-and-white color scheme with unlacquered brass accents creates a French industrial vibe. Hot-rolled-steel shelves echo the metal-frame windows.

Says Kahn Turner, “I love how each component completes the whole. Although there’s a lot going on, the finishes work in harmony.”

Kitchen Design: Sarah Kahn Turner, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Architecture: Anne Decker, AIA, Anne Decker Architects, Bethesda, Maryland.  Builder: Gibson Builders, Washington, DC. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.

THE DETAILS   Perimeter & Wet Bar Cabinetry: artcraftkitchens.com. Island Cabinetry: qcci.com. Cooktop, Downdraft Vent, Dishwasher, Steam & Convection Ovens: mieleusa.com. GE Monogram Microwave: ferguson.com. Refrigerators & Freezers: subzero-wolf.com. Countertops: countercollective.com. Metal Shelf Fabrication: akmetalfab.com. Chandelier: lindseyadelman.com. Bar Stools: rhmodern.com. Wallpaper: harlequin.uk.com.

 

HOME&DESIGN, published bi-monthly by Homestyles Media Inc., is the premier magazine of architecture and fine interiors for the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia region.

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