A couple with a vintage colonial in Northwest DC wanted to replace their small, cramped kitchen and formal dining room with a spacious, modern kitchen suited for both casual meals and larger-scale entertaining. Working within the existing footprint, designer Sandra Meyer gutted the two rooms and borrowed part of an adjoining hallway to realize their vision. “They have lots of friends over and they do all their entertaining in the kitchen,” explains Meyer, who created a cantilevered banquette for the dining area. “The table expands to seat up to 12 people.”

The newly configured space was narrow, so Meyer placed most of the cabinetry and appliances along one wall; an island holds the sink and a bar for impromptu meals. The doorway leading from the kitchen to the family room—part of a previous addition—has been widened to create openness and flow between spaces. Pantry cupboards line one side of the passage while the other houses a coffee bar and fridge.

Gray-washed, rift-oak cabinets are accented by a charcoal-hued island; glass-fronted display cabinets are suspended from a long panel of rift-oak trim. While radiant-heated limestone floors add interest, Carrara marble countertops offset the dark cabinetry and open shelving. So does the white, glass-tile backsplash. “The kitchen is pretty masculine, so we picked a backsplash that feels delicate,” observes Meyer. “It’s a nice, soft touch. We liked the juxtaposition.”

Kitchen Design: Sandra Meyer, Ella Scott Design, LLC, Bethesda, Maryland. Contractor: Bonilla Construction, LLC, Silver Spring, Maryland. 

THE DETAILS
Cabinetry: custom. Hardware: rh.com. Backsplash: artistictile.com through architecturalceramics.com. Countertops: marblexinc.com. Appliances: subzero-wolf.com through ferguson.com. Sinks: kohler.com through build.com. Flooring: waterworks.com. Lighting: visualcomfort lightinglights.com. Stools: menudesignshop.com. Chairs: danishmodern.com. Dining Table: roomandboard.com.