Before: The kitchen prior to the redo.
Clients in Reston contacted BOWA to improve their builder-grade, Colonial-style abode. Built in 2000, the home had become outmoded and its small, compartmentalized rooms no longer suited the family’s needs. Among the items on the wish list: a stylish, open kitchen with a high level of fixtures and finishes.
“The owners wanted the first floor to read as one unified space,” explains project leader Steve Scholl. “We removed walls separating the kitchen from both the dining and family rooms to create one generous area; this allowed us to convert a seldom-used front parlor into a formal dining room.” The new open floor plan made it possible to replace the cramped island, which faced the breakfast nook and offered room for little but a cooktop, with an expansive one oriented toward the window wall—an improved perspective for the chef. The new island holds the sink, plenty of workspace and comfortable seating for four.
The owners specified a bright, sophisticated, transitional look for the new space. Crystal Cabinet Works cabinetry in matte white is paired with eye-catching quartzite in a leather finish, built up on the island. Handmade ceramic subway tile in a glossy finish provides a backsplash that perfectly complements the countertops. Above the Wolf range, a custom hood embellished with a decorative stone carving creates a focal point. A flat, featureless ceiling was enhanced by shallow tray trim, and elegant Crystorama pendants add a touch of glam. Wide-plank walnut flooring unifies the space.
Award: Merit for Residential Kitchen over $150,000. Kitchen Design & Contracting: Stephen Scholl, CR, CKBR, UDCP, BOWA, McLean, Virginia. Windows: Andersen through T.W. Perry.