Jennifer Fry moved back to her childhood home and realized that, while the kitchen was long past its prime, any makeover would have to fit in with the historic Carderock Springs neighborhood in Bethesda.
Carderock Springs embraces mid-century modernism with homes designed and built by Edmund Bennett in the 1960s. It’s called situated modernism, where the natural landscape dominates the built environment. The neighborhood officially was listed on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
Residents are not obligated to renovate in modern style but the homeowners association’s Architectural Review Board encourages homeowners to “extend the modern tradition by insisting on contemporary design, while avoiding the overtly decorative.”
The 100-square-foot addition she settled on gave her added space and “fit into the modern esthetic of the neighborhood,” Fry said. It has clean, simple lines with casement windows positioned and sized to maximize views into the scenic forest surrounding the house.
Fry, her husband and their two children moved in to be with her mother, who was ill. “With five of us in the house and the caregivers [for her mother], we really needed to expand the kitchen. It was too cramped with people coming in and out,” she said.
“Before adding space, we really assess if we can accomplish goals in the existing space,” said Matt Dirksen of Case Remodeling and Design. “Usually when someone goes with an addition, they want to include a family room in the new space. But she wanted the space only for the kitchen and privacy was really important to her.”
The addition was added to the back of the house. The odd elevation makes it appear like a one-story rambler but you enter at ground level and walk upstairs to the main area where the kitchen is located. With two entrances, the kitchen’s eating area is visible from the living room, but everything else is hidden.
“I wanted it partially enclosed,” Fry said. “I’m the kind of person who likes privacy when I work. I enjoy cooking. I just don’t want everybody to see me while I work. I like to invite them in.”
The old kitchen was essentially a galley, Dirksen said. The new one is spacious and U-shaped, flooded with natural light from skylights and large windows. The finishes give it that modern touch Fry was looking for.
The cabinetry is from the Quest line by Crystal Cabinetry. Sleek and contemporary, the cherry cabinets are frameless and engineered to allow full access to the interior space. The natural stain finish is trimmed with an umber finish, giving the cabinets the appearance of fine furniture.
The countertops are Stellar Night by Silestone, sleek black quartz with sparkling specks. “I love the way it sparkles, especially at night,” said Fry.
A large farmhouse-style stainless steel drop in sink balances nicely with the stainless steel and black Jenn-Air appliances, completing the look. Modern, artisan-styled track lighting floats from the cathedral ceilings.
“I like a lot of light, and I like having the ability to adjust the lighting to focus on different areas,” said Fry. “I think the lighting adds to the modern touch.”
