Grand Winner, Residential Interior

NARI Mid-Maryland Chapter, CotY Award

The kitchen, powder room, laundry room and family room had the original builders' grade sheet vinyl, carpeting, lighting, appliances, and laminate countertops. The kitchen's layout was functional, but the multi-level island did not function well when entertaining and the lack of storage at the front of the island was wasted space, the electric stove was not suited for the type of cooking the homeowners performed, lighting was inadequate and the brass door pulls and basic layout lacked style. The homeowners were happy with the style, finish and quality of the cabinets and very sensitive to the "green " movement and the conservation of our resources, so it was decided to reuse the cabinets and add cabinets as required to accomplish the upgrades.

The renovated kitchen area incorporates new Verde Rio Gold granite countertops, new energy efficient stainless steel GE appliances with gas cooktop, new lighting plan with Seagull low voltage halogen under the cabinet lighting and recessed and pendant lighting at the ceiling, new 16" x 16" natural stone flooring in the kitchen, powder room and laundry room and hardwood flooring in the family room, natural stone backsplash at the kitchen cabinets and natural stone wainscoting at the bar area, new hardware for the cabinets, new undermount sink and faucet. The laundry room was expanded by removing the closet and adding cabinets, sink base, recessed fold out ironing board. The powder room was updated by adding 2" beaded wainscoting to the walls, new light fixtures, wood framed mirror and brushed Nichol faucet. Keeping with the "green" theme the original vanity cabinet and cultured marble top were reused.

The original layout of the kitchen included an eat-in area in front of the exterior door, which is where the kitchen table was placed, it created a real problem with the flow into the screened in porch outside of the door. The Homeowners were also wanting to be able to watch the television in the family room from time to time while they ate. The decision was made to create a bar area with an arched opening into the family room, The design challenge was to support the span of the arched front granite top from the sides so that the seating would not have additional supports in the center. Engineered wood beams were incorporated into the box support system cleverly hidden behind the wood apron on the bar countertop. The beautiful natural stone wainscoting and pendant lights complete the area.

The original pantry walls had to be relocated to create the space required for the relocation of the microwave to the area next to the refrigerator and the reconfiguration of the cabinets, producing the desired built-in refrigerator look. The decorative hood was also added above the stove for increased lighting, ventilation and of course, looks. All of the cabinets were lifted to allow for added clearance for the installation of the dishwasher with the added thickness of the natural stone floor and backer board. The open storage at the front of the island created a perfect space for a wine bottle rack and the display of decorative features.

The laundry room was increased in size by removing the existing closet and adding concealed storage with cabinets and folding table with an area above to hang clothing, (not pictured). Room was also created by adding a recessed fold out ironing board, which even has it's own light and outlet incorporated into the unit. The laundry tub was replaced with a cabinet with much needed storage underneath. Recessed lights were added to help with the lighting.