An old house in Virginia gets a new kitchen that blends classic and contemporary style
The homeowners love the original details of their Sears Craftsman-style kit home in Alexandria, Virginia, but its small galley kitchen didn’t lend itself to hosting friends and family. Wanting a larger, open kitchen with modern amenities, they reached out to architect Michael Winn to build a two-story addition to the back of the house. The first floor of the addition is taken up by a new kitchen that maintains classic Craftsman details, as well as an adjacent seating area with large windows and French doors leading out to the backyard.
itchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple whose children have moved out
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Size: About 450 square feet (42 square meters)
Designers: Stan Khramov (architecture) and Jennifer Hall (interior design), Winn Design + Build
Maintaining the spirit of the home’s original architecture in the new addition was a top priority for Winn and his team. The window trim, wall molding and flooring in the new kitchen are made of white oak in a medium-tone brown stain to match the original white oak used throughout the rest of the house. “It was important to the homeowners that the new addition blended with the rest of the house,” Winn says.
The new mahogany cabinets came pre-finished in a custom green stain mixed with a brown glaze, adding color to the space without overwhelming it. The backsplash is covered in light blue glass subway tiles that provide a nice blend of classic and contemporary style. Winn used marble-look quartz for the countertops.
Before: The former kitchen was a galley that included the original wood cabinets and updated stainless steel appliances. The space didn’t have any doors leading to the backyard.
After: Other than the new stainless steel gas range, all of the appliances, such as the refrigerator and dishwasher, are hidden behind cabinet panels. All the cabinet hardware is oil-rubbed bronze. “More and more of our clients are deciding to hide their appliances behind panels,” Winn says. “This allows them to not worry about matching appliances and instead get the ones they really want.”
The new island measures 10 feet by 4 feet and provides plenty of room for hosting friends and family. The three pendant lights above the island are new pieces meant to evoke the look of Tiffany lampshades, providing another visual nod to the home’s Craftsman style.
Because the home already includes a formal dining room and the homeowners prefer to eat their informal meals at the island, the new space across from the kitchen is used as a seating area. French doors lead to a deck and the backyard beyond. The homeowners already owned the antique Craftsman furniture pieces.
Bryan Anthony June 17, 2019
Houzz Editorial Staff; writer, design enthusiast, reader, avid traveler.
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