Home Remodel in Bethesda, MD: Pt 2
Our last blog post (part one of this two-part series) discussed some of a home remodeling project the Wentworth team completed in Bethesda. Continue reading about this project below:
The Kitchen Island
The custom 9-foot island is both functional and aesthetic. It was designed to accommodate a sink (BLANCO Precision), dishwasher, microwave drawer, and base cabinet for storage. Black honed granite provides a serviceable and attractive work surface. The island’s elevated countertop (with bar stool seating) was custom fabricated by the carpenters from walnut and is affectionately called the “surfboard” for its attractive shape; the curved shape provides visual contrast to the rectilinear island. The portion of the island facing the family room was enhanced with applied moldings to create a pattern of three equal panels that is in sync with other millwork throughout the house. Three low-voltage pendant light fixtures highlight the island.
Read more about our Bethesda kitchen remodeling services »
Family Room Fireplace & Custom Built-In for TV
To make the remodeled spaces cohesive and efficient, the passageway between the family room and dining room was relocated to align with the opening between the dining room and front living room (enfilade). This made circulation more efficient and provided additional wall space where it was needed in the family room. The feature wall accommodates a refaced fireplace with walnut mantel and a new built-in for storage and a TV. The existing stone work around the fireplace was altered to reduce its mass and new botticino marble applied to the face of the stone mass to give it a more vertical aesthetic. The raised hearth was removed and a new flush granite hearth installed, which improved walkable space. The space between the new stone hearth and elevated fire box was clad in black honed granite to provide coherence. With the sectional sofa and swivel chair, there is now a cozy gathering place for family and easy communication to the kitchen. The fireplace’s old rustic stone work was slightly altered to accommodate the change and a new stone slabs (honed absolute black and polished botticino marble) installed to soften the rustic nature of the quarry stone.
A previous homeowner had built the rear addition for the family room. The existing ceiling beams in the family room were at first thought to be fake wood beams stained in a wood tone. Even the homeowners’ in-laws urged their family members to have them removed. With further investigation, it was determined that they were actually the bottom portion of the structural floor joists for the second floor addition and were intended to be exposed. We discovered exposed metal joist hangers that had been painted over. To conceal joist hangers, our design/build team installed wood end caps with molding; the beams were painted and incorporated tastefully into the design. What was considered a negative became a pleasing positive feature.
Sunroom & Family Room Integration
To integrate the space of the sunroom with the family room, the wall was removed and a new structural beam installed. Columns were placed symmetrically to allow maximum sunlight. Decorative millwork was installed to give the new openings the visual eight and high level of finish the space deserves. The floor of the sun room, previously a step down area with tiled floor, was raised to align with the family room and a contiguous oak wood floor installed. An area near the rear exit remained as a step down with new slate tile floor for easy access to the rear terrace (and to accommodate the family dog).
Do you need to remodel your home in Bethesda or a surrounding area? The Wentworth team would love to hear from you! Browse our portfolio and contact us today to get started.
