JENNIFER GILMER
Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, MD
Trends are changing in kitchen and bath design, and Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath’s Chevy Chase showroom is changing with them. The 475-sq.-ft. space received a renovation by Jennifer Gilmer that focuses on shifts in appliance trends and a renewed interest in post-modern elements.
Seeing a growing interest in colored ranges and metals other than stainless steel for appliances, Gilmer chose to put a French blue La Cornue range, matching range hood and cabinet display in the showroom’s front window. The area is visible from the street and traffic backs up during rush hour, which means the window has a captive audience, she observes.
There was no cabinet to house the La Cornue rotisserie in the display, so walls were added on the left and right, which provided a place to insert the rotisserie. This also created a “cooking niche,” giving the range its own special space. The walls of the display were finished in handcrafted, genuine Plaster of Paris and feature imported Delft tiles handmade in Morocco.
To make room for the La Cornue display in the window, a display of Mizuki cabinetry and Gaggenau appliances was moved to the interior of the showroom. The display had been confined to the narrow space in the front window; by moving it, visitors can now see all of its distinctive features.
The Mizuki kitchen, with its warm, contemporary aesthetic, features rich walnut and cherry cabinetry at its core, complete with rustic knots in the sliding cabinet doors under the cooktop. The display also showcases backsplash tile with a pleasing curvy basket weave pattern. The Valley Gold marble countertop is 2″ thick for added heft and has a honed finish that is soft to the touch, more popular now than the highly polished surfaces of a few years ago.
The new Decor/Quality space in the showroom had previously been a dark meeting area with ledges on two walls to display cabinet door styles. Large storage armoires held cabinetry samples and other supplies, and a black suspended ceiling with limited lighting made the area uninviting.
The unsightly soffits, originally a design challenge, are now highlighted with panels that match the cabinets beneath them. Barn doors are another popular trend, and the display gives clients a chance to see one close up. DuPont Corian countertops in this area are equipped with electronic charging capability to add functional appeal.
Brightening the space was a priority, as well as adding stylish, practical items that could be showcased. Two different corner units – the LeMans from Hafele and Kessebohmer’s Magic Corner – and a 52″ screen monitor that lifts up from the base cabinet are among the latest features in the renovated spaces.