The recent renovation of a 1970s Crownsville abode completely transformed its disjointed kitchen. Once the team overcame the flaws—think drab millwork, a cut-off ceiling beam and an obtrusive air return—they fashioned a sleek, mid-century modern kitchen that celebrates the home’s vintage.

Kitchen designer Jennifer Gilmer’s functional, streamlined layout includes generous work space bordering a furniture-style island. This custom piece is built on metal legs—one of which conceals wiring for a speed oven. A column of quarter-figured white ash disguises the relocated refrigerator and the bulky air return. “It adds a nice geometrical element and connects to the original wood ceiling,” Gilmer notes. An electric, tilt-up door above the fridge reveals additional storage.

The home’s woodsy views of a lake inspired interior designer Vivian Braunohler’s palette. Slate-blue cabinet fronts, honed-basalt countertops and contrasting cabinets in white, back-painted glass strike a sophisticated note. Ultimately, says architect Robert Cox, “The challenge was editing what was there to get back to the original language.”

PROJECT TEAM
Architecture: Robert Cox, Josh Hildreth Interiors. Interior Design: Vivian Braunohler, Braunohler Design Associates, LLC. Kitchen Design: Jennifer Gilmer, CKD; Nancy McCarren, AIA, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath. Contractor: Bayview Builders. 

KITCHEN DETAILS
Cabinets: premiercb.com. Stone Countertops: rbratti.com. Copper Counter: AJ Metal Fabricators. Range & Ovens: mieleusa.com. Refrigeration: subzero-wolf.com. Appliances: abwappliances.com. Plumbing Fixtures: houseofrohl.com.