Empty nesters with frequently visiting family dreamed of renovating the original kitchen of their 1997 Great Falls home. “A lot of the problem was aesthetic; it was frilly and overdone,” recounts architect Nancy McCarren of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, who was tapped for the update.

Luckily, it wasn’t all bad: Existing parquet floors, stained ceiling beams and a salvaged French pantry door provided inspiration for the freshened-up look. A limestone-and-brass Francois & Co. range hood became the new focal point, while a large island with furniture legs conceals a wealth of storage. Nearby, a built-in bar replaced an outdated and barely used desk area. Warm white cabinets with quartzite countertops and a stunning marble mosaic backsplash complete the scene. “The owner was open to having something unique,” says McCarren of the backsplash. “The moment we saw it, we knew it was a magical find.”

EXPERT TAKEAWAYS

Advice from architect Nancy McCarren

• Consider your needs for storage. Here, we did a lot of hidden storage in the island and we did an appliance garage for smaller items.
• Every little detail has to be right—even more so when something is going to be a major focal point, such as the range hood.
• Be sure to balance your wood finishes with painted ones so the room doesn’t feel too visually lopsided.

Kitchen Design: Nancy McCarren, AIA, LEED AP, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Paul Lappas, Lappas Contractors, Inc.