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.