Vintage Kitchen Remodel for Row House in DC
Wentworth remodeled a 1932 row house in Washington, DC and the article was featured in Better Homes & Gardens:
Maximizing every inch creates a period-perfect and practical galley kitchen.
She loved the neighborhood around her 1932 row house in Washington, DC, but Peggy McNamara did not love her cramped, outdated kitchen. She needed storage space and a more functional layout to better accommodate her love of cooking. Peggy got it by taking over a seldom-used back porch.
Designer and architect Bruce Wentworth planned an addition to the existing space by repurposing the porch area, creating a close connection between the addition and the original home. The kitchen’s scale matches the home’s size, and its details—arches, moldings, hardware, and colors—are consistent with those seen throughout the house. “One of the most important things to me was that the new space look seamless,” Peggy says. “You wouldn’t know where the renovation started or stopped.”
Using Space Wisely
Bridging the distance between the kitchen and the dining room is a narrow butler’s pantry, which Peggy uses for serving. With eating and gathering spaces established elsewhere, the kitchen is freed up for meal prep. Peggy and Wentworth created distinct zones within the kitchen to maximize space and organization.
“With small kitchens, you have to use every bit of space in a practical and functional way,” Wentworth says. “We grouped the tall cabinets and tall appliances in one area so it frees the opposite space for open counters, which also make the space feel larger.” A sweep of counters down either side of the kitchen leads to French doors that open to the backyard.
New Vintage Look for this Glover Park, DC House’s Kitchen
A world traveler and European antiques collector, Peggy chose a taupe color scheme to provide a cozy, neutral backdrop for her cherished collections. Her fabulous finds are exhibited prominently, filling the room’s nooks and crannies, including a plate rack display and glass-front cabinets.
“The style is kind of old-Tuscan,” Peggy says. “The French doors that lead to the back, a big range, weathered backsplash tile—everything’s just sort of peaceful with a vintage feel. All of those things play into that old style that fits with my 1932 home.”
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