Large Washington, DC Home Addition
3701 Upton St. NW Washington, DC, 20016
Home Addition Made Dream Kitchen Possible for DC Film Maker
Film maker and lobbyist Jonathan Zuck's Washington, DC, home needed the space a home addition would provide possibly for a freshly designed kitchen remodel. Back in 1938, when his beautiful four-story house was built, probably by the prolific builder Wardman, the kitchen was allotted very little space.
As far as Jonathan was concerned, a grand and very large Washington DC home addition was needed to accommodate his new kitchen remodel. There were so many considerations. This house was more than a home, it was also a film and photography studio, where technicians, actors, and associates were coming and going day and night. Space to provide entertainment and dinner for large groups had to be considered.
You may think envisioning an addition for a kitchen remodel would be easy for a film maker and photographer. Jonathan Zuck would readily admit that it was a real struggle to picture it. More than once, he said “If I cannot envision a home addition, I don’t see how the average person sees it.”
Balancing a Home Addition With the Existing Structure
In August, Jonathan decided to interview some design-build contractors and DC kitchen remodel companies to discuss home additions. He contacted Signature Kitchens Additions & Baths because, as he put it, “'Kitchen additions' is your middle name.” During his meeting with Ellyn Gutridge, a highly perceptive kitchen designer, Jonathan initially expressed his desire for a substantial home addition.
He envisioned an expansive extension that would span the entire width of the rear of his DC home, measuring approximately 18 to 20 feet in depth by nearly 40 feet in length. His vision included multiple rooms, incorporating a kitchen remodel with custom kitchen cabinets that suited the DC style, and a cozy sitting area. Such a large home addition would have been 600 square feet, very expensive, and overpowering.
However, Ellyn advised Jonathan to postpone making a decision on the size of his home addition. She suggested focusing on the kitchen design first, taking into consideration his preferences and needs, and selecting the right custom kitchen cabinets, wood species, finishes, and choices for flooring and tile. According to Ellyn, the kitchen design would serve as the guiding factor in determining the size and shape of the DC home addition, ensuring it complemented the existing space while providing maximum functionality in the minimum space.
Up Front Collaboration With Our Design-Build Contractors
Jonathan's preference for a design-build contractor like Signature Kitchens Additions & Baths over a general contractor is simple: the design and construction costs for his kitchen remodel are transparently discussed throughout the entire design process, ensuring his home addition and kitchen remodel design would be concluded with known costs. This approach, based on the expertise of one of the top design-build contractors in the metropolitan DC area, stands in contrast to traditional bidding processes, where plans often become a joint creation of homeowners and architects, leading to budget overruns and incomplete plans.
Jonathan’s plans and specifications included his custom kitchen cabinets in fine detail, the faucets, sinks, garbage disposals, recessed lights, cabinet lighting, countertops, flooring, even windows and doors all selected and specified. These elements aren't mere placeholders for future selection; they're integral parts of the design process. That's why our design-build agreements don't rely on allowances, as Jonathan selects each item during the design phase.
Consequently, there are no surprises, and the entire project is designed, chosen, and priced simultaneously, preventing the disappointment of having a dream kitchen remodel confined to a blueprint you can't afford to build.
Materials Used & Design Details
Ellyn and Jonathan selected Medallion Cabinetry, a pillowed stile and rail door style in maple with a Mulberry finish, topped with a valance and crown. The floor is Ecofinishes cork, which shows a lot of swirling grain and has a light beige green tint. Cork of course is a very eco-friendly product because the cork on the tree grows back.
Cork is easy on the feet and a warm product, which we use often. The hood is a Best Hood, which fits flush into the ceiling. We were able to design this kitchen with a window behind the Wolf range specifically because there was no hood in the way it was on the ceiling. This DC kitchen remodel home addition cost between $175,000 and $200,000.
Schedule an Appointment With Our Designers
To discuss your DC room additions and kitchen remodeling aspirations, call us today at 301-251-1880 or complete the form above, and a designer will contact you soon. There's no obligation to come into the kitchen design showroom to sit down and talk to a designer.
- Signature Kitchens Additions & Baths represents Medallion Cabinetry (semi custom), Dura Supreme Custom Cabinetry and Jay Rambo Cabinetry (furniture-grade).
- Signature Kitchens Additions & Baths is an Amtico dealer, Marmoleum dealer, and U.S. Floors dealer.
- Signature Kitchens Additions & Baths is a GE & KitchenAid appliance dealer as well as an AGA, Gaggenau, and Turbo Chef Dealer.
