Kitchen of the Week: Transformed Toilet in D.C.
This cheerful Washington, D.C., kitchen was once a little, junk-filled garage that completely split the most important house from its beautiful backyard and patio. The family needed a new kitchen and knew that this unused garage space had to proceed. However, the garage original floor plan was exceptionally narrow, which made spatial planning challenging.
Thomas Ahmann of Ahmann Architects divided the L-shape kitchen into different areas but maintained that a unified feeling throughout the area. A workspace, mudroom, lounge, breakfast bar and lots of space to cook were integrated into this long and narrow area. Although the family originally wanted a kitchen that would open into a living space, a scarcity of space eventually contributed to this all-in-one design.
AHMANN LLC
To cut down on cost, Ahmann wanted to use as much of the existing foundation as possible. This forced the group to operate inside a narrow and L-shape area, that made plasma organization difficult. Ahmann divided up the long island and the remainder of the kitchen into different areas defined by purpose.
Cabinets: semicustom Shaker style by Executive Kitchens, Misty Green and Antique White; pendants: Jesco Lighting
AHMANN LLC
A built-in hutch with desk area was installed at the front end of the kitchen, directly contrary to the mudroom area. The mudroom is accessed through the property’s driveway, and its location encourages guests and children to take off their shoes and drop their bags before coming into the kitchen.
The elevated breakfast table was made from reclaimed wood by the project’s contractor. Ahmann placed it at the end of the island rather than along the length so foot traffic in the front into the rear of the kitchen could be uninterrupted.
Countertops: Cambria quartz, Bristol Blue
AHMANN LLC
The glass cupboards and plate rack are the only remaining pieces of the original kitchen. The open area near the sink links the kitchen with the rest of the house.
Because an L shape may make a kitchen feel disjointed, Ahmann and his group wanted to combine the space through the ceiling as well as the floor. Lightly stained oak beams help specify the kitchen workspace.
Backsplash: Porcelanosa Duo Verde; faucet: Rohl fire-clay apron-front sink; mats: Flor
AHMANN LLC
A casual lounge area was integrated into a bay window that projects over the home’s patio. It is tucked right next to the kitchen’s main working area, providing space to hang out and unwind while dinner is cooking.
AHMANN LLC
One of the customers’ priorities for this endeavor was to create a family room that concentrates on the outside. Like the remainder of the kitchen, that presented some spatial challenges. The group wanted to expand the kitchen, however they could not extend in the side yard (in which the family wished to get a garden). The alternative was to operate inside the L-shape footprint and extend out onto the terrace.
Interior Design: Tara Shimberg, Tara’s Interiors
Builder: Ardo Contracting
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