KBB

KBB

Projects: 

May 21, 2015

The kitchen is known as the heart of the home, but when a familiar space no longer inspires, it’s time to let go of the old and rein in the new, which is exactly what one Maryland couple did when they consulted North Potomac, Md.-based Glickman Design.

View this kitchen gallery here.

Though Glickman specializes in designs based on master plans implemented in phases over time, the design team was challenged to update the homeowners’ kitchen in a short time frame to create more space and better suit a small family of four.

“What mainly set this kitchen apart wasn’t the room itself but the process we went through to help the client determine the best investment for the long term,” said Wayne Jackson, project manager at Glickman Design. “After increasing their budget, they gutted the kitchen and replaced everything, which was the best long-term solution. Now they really love their kitchen.”

From the outset, Jackson had to roll with the punches and find creative, cost-effective solutions in the moment. Though the clients’ originally intended to save money by keeping the original cabinetry and updating it with a simple paint job, they ditched the idea after realizing it would limit the dimensions of new appliances and ultimately need to be replaced because of its age and quality.



Longevity in Design

They made sure to stay away from anything overtly trendy, opting instead for a design with more longevity. The new, saddle brown–stained maple cabinets add warmth to the space and complement the surrounding rooms.

“I chose a well-built plywood cabinet, making sure that it wasn’t too personalized,” said Jackson. “We donated the original cabinets to Family Pantry in Hyattsville, Md., and the owners kept a few for the garage. We’re a green builder, so we like seeing the product reused. We donated the countertops as well; however, it took us a while to find new slabs, which ended up being beautiful Italian granite.”

The granite counter was complemented by a ceramic tile backsplash and new stainless steel sink. To save more money, the owners supplied the appliances separately, such as a new high-end gas range, and avoided a markup with the designer.

“Based on what we see and people like, we’re able to help clients get the most bang for their buck,” said Glickman. “If you don’t have to redo plumbing and electrical, it allows you to save to spend money elsewhere. In this case, they chose higher-end appliances.”



Finishing Touches
The kitchen looks into the family room, so Jackson modeled the counter as a bar-top that includes an overhang and seating for the kids. 

“They were trying to gain a little more cabinet and countertop space,” said Glickman “Just keeping it within the footprint and adding an extended countertop really gave them more eating area in the family room and made it a lot easier to use. The countertop was just amazing.”

A tray ceiling original to the home made the kitchen feel dated, so a flat ceiling was installed and lit up with recessed lighting tucked into the new 42-in. cabinets. As better lighting was important to the homeowners, additional undercabinet and task lighting were added as well.

“All in all, it’s a beautiful kitchen and really works well for their needs,” said the designer. “We were able to turn it around quickly. Their home is essentially across the street from our office, so my boss said we had to make sure this one was really good!”

Source List


Appliances: Provided by homeowner
Countertop: Norwood Marble & Granite
Cabinets: Crystal Cabinets
Flooring: Existing
Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Source List

More Projects