Tucked away in a Maryland suburb of D.C., this charming 90-year-old home needed an updated look and a larger kitchen. Utilizing existing space, a former living room – complete with a fireplace – became the proposed kitchen area. With the dining table as the key source of inspiration, the designer went for a traditional upscale style while incorporating distinct custom elements.
Tailored to perfection
The task set to Christiana Cabinetry was to match the dining table exactly because it functioned as the centerpiece for the space. Tall, dark cabinets replaced the original fireplace to anchor the room. Quartered ash wood with an espresso finish mirrored the look of the table while the Rittenhouse door, with its raised panel, completed the traditional feel of the design.
Custom character
The client wanted white kitchen cabinets but with a nontraditional twist. In order to achieve the desired look, Christiana Cabinetry departed from a painted cabinet by creating a custom style using rift-cut white oak, bleaching it, then staining it white. The process protects against yellowing over time and maintains a truer color. It also adds a unique texture to each cabinet. A rift cut produces a straighter, more uniform grain which highlighted the clean lines of the Rittenhouse door on each cabinet.
“In order to achieve the [clients’] desired look, Christiana Cabinetry departed from a painted cabinet by creating a custom style using rift-cut white oak, bleaching it, then staining it white.”
What is a rift cut? Instead of slicing a log the long way, a rift cut splits a log into quarters. This exposes the wood grain in the opposite direction. Traditionally, oak grains can be problematic, resulting in uneven continuation. A rift cut allows for a more uniform, linear look and lends a measure of elegance and luxury to the look of a cabinet.
Working with designers who craft custom spaces tailored to their clients means we often need to find innovative ways to bring that design to life. The result is a stunning, one-of-a-kind look that will hold its beauty and structural integrity for generations to come.