Judy Hofheimer of Potomac, Maryland, says it’s only a dream when working with trusted designers. Luckily, that’s just what she and her husband, Ben, received working with Gilday Renovations on the remodel of their 1993 kitchen. With a prior positive experience working with the company on a bed and bath remodel in their home, the couple felt comfortable entrusting the kitchen to Gilday’s construction manager as they spent the winter on the West Coast. However, Judy admits, “we were naturally nervous.” After a visit home halfway through the project, she was relieved by the progress as floors, walls, and adjoining rooms were cautiously shielded. “We were beyond impressed with Gilday’s method of protecting our house.”
Before
The Hofheimers, who divide their time between homes on the east and west coasts, are no amateurs to remodeling. They have gone down this road with each of the homes they own. With their Potomac home, the goal was to update the dark kitchen, replace broken appliances, add a bar, and create a more communal space between the kitchen and family room.
Working with Tom Gilday, Joseph Gilday, and interior designer Sarah Kahn Turner, the Hofheimers requested “something more in tune with their personal aesthetic,” says Joseph. “The battalions of dark cabinets gave them a feeling of claustrophobia and a partition wall unnecessarily cut off connection to the adjoining living room.”The owners found that abundance isn’t always functional. Although they had many cabinets, they were too high for maximum use. Turner says the numerous dark cherry cabinets reminded her of a lawyer’s office. “It was almost painfully boring.”
The Zephyr range hood with the curved support beam is a distinctive feature that stands out in this sytlish kitchen.
Details
Aesthetics are important to a kitchen design, but “if it doesn’t work [functionally] the appeal wears off fast,” Turner advises. No space was wasted. Gilday integrated the client’s needs with pullouts for pots and pans, spice rollouts, and unique cabinet designs that utilize corner spaces with racks that pullout for easy access.
According to Turner, the Hofheimers wanted to use “unconventional finishes in conventional places.” For glass front cabinets, traditional glass wouldn’t do. Instead, 3Form, an eco-friendly resin material, was used. Composite veneers were chosen for the cabinets’ wood front, but installed in a horizontal fashion for appeal. Easy-to-manage travertine was the pick for the floor, but small glass tiles in tones of gold and silver add an unexpected splash.
Judy spotted a Zephyr range hood in a magazine and knew she had to have it for her kitchen. To complement the piece, Turner suggested curving the support beam between the kitchen and the family room. “What a great idea that was!” Judy says. “It is so striking to see the curve of the beam accenting the curve of the range hood.”Turner’s commitment to creating a one-of-a-kind kitchen was appreciated by the owners. Judy says, “We had always wanted to use the Black Galaxy granite as our countertop but we didn’t want it to be overwhelming, so [Turner] suggested that we break it up unexpectedly by using vertical pieces of the glass tile that we used in the floor and on the back splash. Another custom touch that cost so little but had such a dramatic impact.”
GE Monogram appliances were used in the kitchen, one perk being that the handles match the drawer and cabinet pulls. In addition to this stainless steel, Turner suggested the use of stainless on two drawer fronts to break up the stretch of teak along the long wall. “It was a great idea and really gave the kitchen that extra customized look,” says Judy.
GE Monogram stainless steel appliances were used throughout the kitchen.
Inspiration
The homeowners are passionate collectors of antiques, art glass, turned wood, ceramics, sculptures, paintings, lithographs, photographs, and pottery, and try to incorporate the collection into their traditional home. TurnerÍs mission was to create an environment where the art collection could play a part and not be overpowered. According to Joseph, “The kitchen needed to be ‘quiet’ in terms of color because there is so much colorful, evocative artwork in the house.” The teak cabinetry turned out to be the ideal color pick, especially for a yellow sculpture collection highlighted in the kitchen.
“We think we have accomplished our original goal: To live in a home with the things we love that is both modern and whimsical,” says Judy. “It always makes us happy to come home.”
The Big Reveal
Judy and Ben Hofheimer’s old kitchen had cabinets and countertops crowding the space. Now, “open shelves create an illusion of spaciousness at the entry point,” says Joseph.
The old kitchen was dark, drab, and outdated. Now, teak grain-creatively run on the horizontal-brightens the space and adds a visual appeal.
Joseph adds that “other ‘visual surprises’ further lighten up the space, making it feel playful and artistic.” In addition to the artful vent hood, glass tiles in the floor and backsplash, and the 3Form cabinet glass, “a curvy cut soffit where the wall was removed softens the transition between rooms and resonates with the organic form of art objects in the house,” says Joseph.
The Hofheimers are gratified with the outcome and truly enjoy their remodeled kitchen. However, when it comes to cooking, they are a bit less enthused. “Do we cook more now that we have such a wonderful kitchen?” Hofheimer asks. “Unfortunately not, but we do have a lovely box with a stack of carry-out menus!”
Tanyika N. Lewis is a freelance writer living in White Marsh, Maryland and is a frequent contributor to ChesapeakeHome.
Contacts:
Gilday Renovations: gilday.com or 301-565-4600
