Classic Simplicity
Major structural changes and intentional design choices to maximize storage space in this Bethesda, Maryland, kitchen renovation create a cozy, classic space perfect for hosting.
Making your dream kitchen a reality can be a daunting task, especially if your current kitchen needs a major overhaul to accomplish your goals. For Stephen Gordon, President of Insite Builders and Remodeling, turning clients’ wishes into reality is a passion. Incorporating the classic design style of the rest of the house, Stephen took a galley-style kitchen and opened it up to be the perfect space for entertaining. “The clients wanted to have the great room concept,” he says. Built in the 1970s, the original kitchen was traditional, segmented off from the dining room, family room and foyer. “The client wanted to be able to enjoy her family in the kitchen while she was cooking,” he says.
The solution was to remove the load-bearing wall separating the kitchen space from the living room, as well
as replace an old walk-in pantry with an open bar area. “That made space for entertaining and cooking, and she can see a third of the house from her kitchen,” he says. Removing the load-bearing wall presented a challenge architecturally, so Stephen’s team got to work to install a beam above the island. “We wanted to keep the view between the two rooms, so we wanted the beam to be sleek and sound,” he says.
Other thoughtful design choices in this space highlight the unique needs of the client. “We put cabinets everywhere so she could have everything she needed for entertaining,” Stephen says. The removal of the walk-in pantry similarly allowed for more space, as well as a bar area to serve drinks.