AMERICANA CHIC

A colorful palette, a unique and elegant backsplash, and thoughtful, functional updates come together in this D.C. area Craftsman cottage kitchen renovation to create a fun space for family time and hosting.

A colorful palette, an elegant backsplash and thoughtful, functional updates come together in this kitchen reno to create a fun space for family time and hosting.

When the homeowners of this Arlington,

Virginia, home approached Case Architects and Remodelers with plans to update their kitchen to meet the needs of their young and busy family, Allie Mann and Elle Hunter took on the challenge as a team. As the designer, Allie brought together all the design elements such as layout, finishes and palette, while Elle, as the project developer, balanced the budget and organized all the moving parts to ensure the timeline was smooth and efficient. “This way, the clients get a more comprehensive experience, and we can share the load—having a team is helpful,” Allie says.

EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT

While the homeowners initially just wanted a kitchen remodel, it quickly became apparent that to fulfill their goals, a much larger project was needed. “As she talked through all of the things she wanted, I realized it wouldn’t fit in that space,” Elle says. The solution involved nearly tripling the original size of their kitchen by removing the dividing wall and incorporating the original formal dining space next door. The formal dining room was large and could seat 12 guests, but it was hardly used by the homeowners. “They are more casual and decided that formal dining wasn’t really their thing, so we took that space over,” Allie says. The result was a change that more than tripled the space.

In addition to taking down the wall separating the original kitchen and dining room, Elle and Allie also removed a header between the family room and new dining area to accentuate the new open floor plan. “We removed various other headers on the first floor to open up the ceilings and create better visual flow,” Elle says. They widened the opening into the game room just off “kid island” also to allow for the installation of pocket doors. “Now Mom can see but not hear the kids in the other room,” she says.

FUN AND FUNCTIONAL

With more space to work with, Elle and Allie focused on addressing the family’s functional needs. “These clients have a casual but busy life, so we chose things that reflect their lifestyle,” Elle says. As the major distinguishing feature of the space, the two islands are a perfect example of the marriage of style and function. “They wanted an island for adults for prep and an island for the kids and their friends,” Allie says. The second island, affectionately titled “kid island,” has a secondary sink, a built-in microwave and extra refrigeration for snack and beverage storage.

In addition to reworking the floor plan to create a more functional space,

Elle and Allie worked together to create a cohesive aesthetic that reflected the family’s individual style. “When we first meet with our clients, we take a careful look at the décor choices they have made in their homes,” Elle says.

They incorporated color, patterns and textures to create what Elle has termed an “Americana chic” style. “It is patriotic, but sophisticated without being too

fussy,” she says. The red Bertazzoni range, chosen by the homeowners, is a pop of color that stands out. “It is a showstopper, and we wanted to make it the focal point,” Allie says. The blues in the pantry cabinets, islands, backsplash and other details tie in with the palette of the rest of the first floor.

The result of their teamwork is an open, sophisticated yet still relaxed space that the family enjoys. “We love it when our clients can use the spaces as we planned them,” Allie says.

Balancing a casual yet sophisticated look, Elle and Allie used different patterns and textures to add interest and create a special feel for the space. “The quilted white leather chairs are a nod to Chanel,” Elle says. The tile backsplash adds color and a touch of elegance. The tiles are 13 x 13 pieces that they grouted to suggest a mosaic. “It is a save that looks like a splurge, because it isn’t as labor intensive,” Allie says.

Details and finishing touches complete the look and give the designers a chance to express the unique qualities of the design. Here, the bright red of the Dutch door leading to the backyard was a custom feature and mirrors the showstopping Bertazzoni range across the room.

|ABOVE| With their added square footage, the double islands provide a simple and perfect solution to the family’s functional needs and are Elle’s favorite feature in the space. “It gives the children everything they need, with an extra fridge, USB ports and room to spread out, while also being able to hang out with Mom,” she says. While both islands have sinks, the adult island also includes a trash cabinet and a dishwasher. The quartz countertops are another functional feature, allowing for wear and tear.

Another functional design feature Elle and Allie included was ample refrigeration options. To the left of the refrigerator is one of the two windows original to the space. They moved the sink from underneath that window to the island to allow for a better workspace flow.