• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Jennifer Sergent

Senior Communications Writer | Perkins Eastman

  • About
    • About Jennifer
    • Blog Information
  • Blog
  • Contact

Landis Construction’s Before and After Kitchen

August 27, 2015

I love seeing transformations that just stop you in your tracks. And it’s not like the space has to be big or grand, either, as we see in this 30’s-era apartment redo in DC that Landis Architects and Builders just completed for a client. The most dramatic before-and-after was in the kitchen/dining area.

Here’s the original layout:

before-kitchendining

And the “after”:

All "after" photography by Michael K. Wilkinson
All “after” photography by Michael K. Wilkinson

As you can see, the designers at Landis opened up the entry between the rooms to make it one cohesive space, linked by a great new bar area that flows into the kitchen.

It wasn't possible to align the sink under the window, so the designer set it an an attractive 45-degree angle.
It wasn’t possible to align the sink under the window, so the designer set it at a 45-degree angle.

Here’s the same window, in its previous incarnation:

before-kitchenwindow

As with most early-20th century kitchens, it was previously closed off on all sides—so hidden that it had its own entrance out into the main hallway.

before-kitchendoor

Because there’s no need for servants’ entrances anymore, Landis covered it over, which gave the designers more space to install storage and appliances.

after-stovefridge
The cherry cabinets are done in a natural finish. The owner opted for a small, 18-inch dishwasher and counter-depth, 24-inch fridge, but the oven and microwave at the rear are standard sizes.

Because the apartment has concrete ceilings, they had to come down to install recessed and hanging light fixtures. The original height was over 9 feet, however, so dropping the ceiling by 10 inches still makes it come in at over 8 feet, so the space doesn’t feel cramped.

Another jarring separation between the kitchen and dining room (besides the walls) was the flooring—eye catching in a most unpleasant way.

before-kitchendining2

The kitchen’s new 2-1/4 inch white-oak floor boards were stained and finished along with the existing floors in the apartment for a seamless look.

 

after-kitchingdining2

The countertop on the left, with its wine-glass holders above, is perfectly placed to serve as a bar or buffet for guests.

As the apartment building nears its 100th anniversary, I would say this renovation places at least one of its units firmly—and beautifully—in the new century.

Filed Under: Kitchen/Bath Tagged With: kitchen design, Landis Construction

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth says

    August 30, 2015 at 12:14 pm

    Thanks to Landis Construction I am now comfortably ensconced in this beautiful new space! I’m only sorry you didn’t get to see the bathroom transformations! BTW, Jordan, the color choices were all mine — I was going for calm and serene. My motto for my new home is: “If it isn’t beautiful or doesn’t make me happy, it doesn’t have a place here”.

  2. Jordan says

    August 28, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    Absolutely lovely – the transformation is amazing! The colors in the new space definitely look much more like a home – very inviting.

Before Footer

View

Apr 9

Open
This lady saw so much, lived through so much, and her son, DC photographer @maxhirshfeld, captured that totality on a return to her former prison at #auschwitz. Today’s blog features a book he wrote and illustrated that was inspired by this journey back to Poland. Link in bio.
View

Mar 9

Open
Another inspiring before and after from Regan’s guest post, linked in bio! 
@rbhomedesign 
📷 @angelanewtonroyphotography
View

Mar 8

Open
Couldn’t be more proud to be starting a job today with @perkinseastman.washington, the firm behind @thewharfdc and so many other stunning designs around the world!
View

Mar 4

Open
My latest story for Home & Design! 

#Repost @homeanddesigndc with @make_repost
・・・
A 1940's-era Colonial in Friendship Heights was renovated and expanded into a contemporary abode while preserving its original roots. Natural light, high ceilings and warm wood elements complement the interiors. The rear addition combines two- and three-story volumes with the owners' suite on the third level; the addition was clad in wood siding that comes down over the original brick façade. An open concept master bathroom adds a sleek and sophisticated vibe.⁠⁠
⁠⁠
Renovation Architecture: @jonathankuhnarchitect 
Contractor: Eric and Brad Bernstein / @bradbern_construction 
Landscape Design: Carlos Uman / Green Fields Landscaping⁠⁠
Text: ⁠⁠@jensergent 
⁠⁠
⁠⁠
⁠⁠
#jonathankuhnarchitect #bradbernconstruction #architecture #architecturalrenovation #archreno #smartmakeover #renovation #contemporary #contemporaryarchitecture #contemporarydesign #interiors #design #architecturaltransformation #kitcheninteriors #remodel #homeanddesigndc
View

Mar 4

Open
What a breath of fresh air! Swipe to see this kitchen before Regan Billingsley @rbhomedesign worked her magic. More before and after sin the blog post, link in bio
📷 @angelanewtonroyphotography
View

Mar 2

Open
Now on the blog: A Q&A withe the delightful Regan Billingsley of @rbhomedesign about a delicious facelift she executed in Chevy Chase, link in profile! 
📷 @angelanewtonroyphotography
View

Jan 22

Open
When I told my husband I wanted to name our first son Henry, he readily agreed because Henry Aaron was his favorite baseball player of all time. And several years later, my mother gave a framed, signed photograph of this legend to @hjsergent for Christmas, and it hangs right next to his bed. What a sad day, felt all the more personally because I can’t think of my wonderful son without thinking also of the great man who helped inspire his name.🙏🏻
View

Jan 21

Open
Interior design isn’t just pretty. There’s real power and symbolism in the choices you make, which deeply affects how you and your visitors feel in your home. This @washingtonpost piece on the #ovaloffice, linked in bio, illustrates how. @potus 
📷 @olearypix
Story by @alinskey
View

Jan 20

Open
January 20 is finally here!! Sending Godspeed to @joebiden and @kamalaharris ❤️🤍💙
📷 @senatephoto
View

Jan 13

Open
The amazing thing about the #uscapitol is that we enjoy the same beauty as the generations before us. Our fashions might change, but not the glorious encaustic tile, gilded mirrors or the clover-like pendant lights in the Senate Press Gallery. Swipe to see the modern version, shot by @ronbluntphoto. 
Full post in my bio link!
View

Jan 12

Open
With the help of photographers like @adam_brockett who took this glowy halo around the #uscapitol, and my friends who know and cherish that building, here’s a love letter, blog link in bio
View

Jan 7

Open
Memories of the late-night lines to see George H.W. Bush lying in state. Thousands of peaceful mourners waiting to pass through the Rotunda of this majestic Capitol.
Load More...

Footer

DC by Design is my passion project, a chronicle of design talents throughout the DC-Maryland-Virginia region who are doing beautiful and imaginative things in the categories below. Click here for blog information and guidelines.

  • Architecture
  • Art/Photo
  • Designers
  • Furniture
  • Home Decor
  • Kitchen/Bath
  • Outdoors
  • Real Estate
  • Shopping
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe to my blog, which sends an e-mail alert each time a new post is published (about once per month).

Please click here if you're a

  •    

© 2021 Jennifer Sergent • All Rights Reserved