Cabin John, MD

This busy family loves nothing more than coming together after a long day to cook and recap their activities. With three teenagers and both parents working, the family’s top requirement was to create a warm and inviting kitchen. A low window seat creates an inviting place to perch or hang out away from the main activity in the kitchen.

Re-purposing an old pantry space gave us a perfect spot to recess the oven. Paneling the rest of the oven wall with wainscoting was critical to the cohesive look of the kitchen overall. What was once a jumble of traditional casing, doors wall and trim is now integrated into the kitchen.

We combined the circulation space between the kitchen and family room and created an eat-in area at one end of the island. We centered and enlarged the island providing lots of space to bake and lay out for buffet style gatherings. Adding a quartzitic textured backsplash above the range contributed to the rustic, casual theme. The hot rolled steel shelf above the range is a convenient spot for condiments and the attached pot rack puts the most used pans near at hand.

We sourced a reclaimed beam from a barn in Pennsylvania and accented a custom hood with it to add character and warmth. Reclaimed wood also frames each of the doorways to extend the roughhewn wood texture. Soapstone and walnut wood was used on the countertops to add to the patina.

Designed by #JGKB. Photography by Bob Narod.