By Builder-grade homes rarely, if ever, boast an enduring style. But that all changed for one such abode built in the 1990s in Rockville, Maryland, when design studio Unique Kitchens & Baths set out to give the dated interiors an inspiring, timeless refresh. The kitchen especially needed love; in fact, it required a full gut renovation. "The basic layout of the space was great, but it completely lacked any character," explains the studio's owner and founder Tanya Smith-Shiflett. That's where they came in.
Partnering with Carrmichael Construction, the team got to work to transform the kitchen through functional updates within its original footprint. The closet-style pantry was removed and replaced with a custom furniture-like cabinet designed and built by Unique Kitchens & Baths. A sleek white hood with a dark brown wooden accent brought airiness and warmth where bulky upper cabinetry once existed. And white marble counters gave the kitchen a clean, streamlined look, while drawers in a calming olive green color—Sherwin-Williams Sage Green Light—provide easy access to the glassware and dishes they hold.
Kitchen appliance upgrades include a Sub-Zero refrigerator and Bertazzoni range, where the owners cook meals that can be enjoyed in the dining room through the glass doors or right at the kitchen island, which is ringed in stools from Article. Throughout the room, new pieces were blended with items the client already owned. "The home is a mix of vintage and modern," Smith-Shiflett explains. "So the kitchen needed to feel homey while avoiding an ultra-modern design that could one day feel dated."
Now, the kitchen isn't just equipped to work hard for the family, it also feels larger and possesses a classic look that’s sure to last. "It’s almost like we created more room using the space that we had available to us, just by creating more function," Smith-Shiflett says.
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