Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Gets a 21st-Century Update

• Complete updates in the kitchen and elsewhere to meet 21st-century needs and accommodate modern technology

Janet Bloomberg, a Kube Architecture partner and the home’s owner, opened up and restructured the rooms but didn’t relocate them. Fresh finishes and colors were introduced throughout and built-in storage was created in every possible location. Putting the microwave in a custom space was an example. “Microwaves are always a problem,” Bloomberg says. “They’re either on a countertop or hanging above an oven, and they look terrible. The idea that they could be completely out of the way—not just behind a door, but actually built in—and open with the push of a button is just amazing. We use the microwave a lot.”

Bloomberg pushed contrasts by replacing the solid-core door to the kitchen with a glass one, thus letting in lots of light, while simultaneously using black glass on appliances when possible. Elsewhere, a dark gray wall provides a strong counterpoint to the turquoise cabinets custom-made by Potomac Woodwork and fitted by contractor Ricardo Cardenas.

Being the owner as well as the architect, Bloomberg built the kitchen to fit her needs. “I wanted a double oven; I’ve never had a double oven. And I use it,” she says. “For the sink, I wanted a big rectangular sink. It’s huge and I can put pots in it. I didn’t want a double sink. I’ve done many many kitchen designs, and for me to do my own was really fun; that  I could specifically put in things that I really wanted to do. For instance, the dishwasher is right where the dishes are.

“Being short, I couldn’t do a lot of high storage,” she notes. “There are a lot of things that you think about and then overlook when you design kitchens, and then you say ‘I can’t get to that’ or ‘I can’t reach that.’ We did a tray cabinet .. all these really useful things.”

The judges liked the idea of using bold colors and design statements that worked within mid-century modern style. “For under $50,000, it looks really good,” one judge said.

Appliances: Jenn-Air 

Kitchen Plumbing: Dornbracht 

Lighting Fixtures: Lightolier;  Artimede 

Paint: Benjamin Moore 

Click to see the 17 other winners in the 2014 Remodeling Design Awards.