This Is the Brightest, Airiest Kitchen We've Ever Seen
How do you take a Tudor home—known famously for their steeply pitched gables, labyrinth of exterior woodwork, and distinctive English style—and turn that into a modern home full of light? Add on! When architect Donald Lococo was tapped to take on this “slightly updated” Tudor in the Washington D.C. area, his goal was to maintain the bones of the original building but fill it with light and openness. And he did this most effectively in the kitchen.
His plans were threefold: to create a space for family, add tons of light, and create a room that would take in views of the surrounding yard full of Hemlocks. The kitchen he dreamed of would eliminate all upper cabinets—but without losing any storage space!—in lieu of natural light. Since the kitchen is off of the family room, he floated an island in the middle of the space, adding a spot for a breakfast room, and created a series of glass shelves that are held up by steel poles.
While the ceiling-height shelves are reminiscent of some swanky restaurants, the actual purpose is to put everyday dinnerware and glassware at arms length. Plus, the structure adds support: Those steel rods go all the way down into the foundation of the home and are a clever way of getting around using oversized columns that are often seen in kitchens for the same reason.
While this space is focused on airiness, it still represents a true home chef's happy place. A 60” Wolf Range, panel-ready Sub-Zero refrigerator (hidden in plain site), and microwave drawer all work to make this a fully functional kitchen.
On the opposite wall of the fridge there is another door that leads into the scullery (much like a butler’s pantry or prep kitchen). This petite space hides all the dry goods, like cereals, canned products, and grains, and has a steam oven, built-in coffee maker, sink, and another dishwasher. Where there is function and space, there can be way more fun, it turns out.
Heading up the hallway between the refrigerator and scullery, you’ll find a modern version of a plate wall (with hidden, shallow storage on either side for cleaning supplies) and a little nook dedicated to the lady of the house. “As soon as I found out Jill loved beer I wanted to give her a special spot that’s right between the kitchen and dining room,” says Lococo. Here, he was able to carve out an area that holds a commercial glass-door refrigerator filled with her collection of craft beer, a liquor cabinet, and a dry bar area to lay everything out.
Another happy discovery during the excavation was a concrete room in the lower level of the home that Donald believes may have been a bomb shelter at some point. Rather than frame in this room, they left the space raw, using the walls as their own architectural moment and turning it into what Donald sheepishly calls the “Make Wine, Not War” room. This mix of old meets new is at the heart of this complete renovation.
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