Cozy Bungalow Fix-Up in Chevy Chase, Washington, DC
Project Overview
For this charming cottage planted just inside DC’s northwest boundary, our clients had three main concerns: One; the cramped kitchen and upstairs were showing their age with stale finishes, two; the lack of natural light let into both levels only heightened the close-set feeling, and three; an unnecessary and underused rear staircase heading upstairs from the kitchen ate up considerable square footage that could be used in a more efficacious way. We set out to remodel the kitchen and second floor, removing the staircase to add space upstairs and down, and installing new windows to maximize natural daylight.
Design + Layout
The biggest challenge was the staircase. We needed to be careful to maintain proper structural support for the second floor, buttressing the left over opening to provide adequate purchase for the extended joists. The extra space upstairs was adopted into one of the bedrooms, while downstairs, we took advantage of a larger footprint to expand the kitchen, opting for a convenient galley style with plenty of counter space. Reconfiguring the beds and baths upstairs let us reorient the central hallway to encourage more light through the existing windows, while meeting the needs of the growing family of 5.
Style + Finishes
Custom cabinetry mixing white oak and white in the kitchen, combined with the light teal floor tile offers a more unique palate in that space. Natural clay tiles in the foyer (also used as an accent wall in the hall bath) was a nod to the time our clients lived in Austin, TX. New flooring on the second floor was bleached and stained a pale blonde color. Modern touches are seen throughout in the sconces, stacked tile backsplash in the kitchen, and brass fixtures mounted throughout several spaces.