Arlington Calm
From Closed-Off to Completely Connected
When the homeowner purchased this home, the existing kitchen was small, dated, and closed off from the surrounding spaces. With a separate dining room and several walls dividing the main level, the layout felt choppy and didn’t work well for someone who enjoys entertaining and spending time at home. The kitchen also lacked the counter space, storage, and openness the homeowner was looking for. There was an opportunity to completely rethink how the kitchen related to the rest of the home.
Rather than simply updating the cabinetry, we reworked the overall floor plan to create a larger, more open kitchen that better suited the homeowner’s lifestyle. The goal was to create a space that felt comfortable for everyday use while also providing plenty of room for friends and family to gather.
Rethinking the Layout
One of the biggest parts of this renovation was changing the existing footprint. Walls were removed, an exterior door was relocated, and the window above the sink was enlarged. Plumbing and electrical also had to be adjusted to make the new layout possible. These changes gave us much more flexibility with the cabinetry and allowed us to create dedicated areas for cooking, prep, storage, and seating. The new layout also made room for a large central island without making the kitchen feel crowded.
These changes allowed us to dramatically improve the flow of the kitchen and connect it to the surrounding living spaces. The larger window brings in more natural light, while the open layout makes the kitchen feel significantly bigger and more inviting. Instead of feeling like a separate room, the kitchen now feels like a natural extension of the home. It’s a space that works just as well for everyday life as it does for entertaining.
Before
6 Photos
A Fresh, Contemporary Look
The original orange-toned cabinetry and dated finishes were replaced with a softer, natural wood finish and clean, contemporary door styles. Simple black hardware adds contrast and gives the cabinetry a more modern feel without making the space feel cold.
The deep blue island adds just the right amount of color and creates a focal point within the otherwise neutral palette. A waterfall countertop wraps down both ends, giving the island a finished, architectural look while also helping define it within the open floor plan.
Designed for Everyday Living
The new cabinetry layout allowed us to incorporate much more storage and create better-defined areas for cooking, prep, cleanup, and everyday use. Full-height cabinetry makes better use of the room’s vertical space, while integrated elements keep the overall design clean and uncluttered.
The finished kitchen feels completely different from where it started. What was once a small, closed-off room is now a bright, open, and functional space that connects naturally with the rest of the home. By rethinking the layout first and then designing the cabinetry around it, we were able to create a kitchen that works just as well as it looks.
After
7 Photos
12223 Nebel St, Rockville, MD 20852 | (301) 984-9484
Copyright © 2026 Jack Rosen Custom Kitchen | Privacy | Accessibility
