wilde holly road, maryland

This design for a young family in Annapolis is an elegant response to some structural challenges: A central, load-bearing column that could not be removed; and ceilings that aren’t of uniform heights. We answered by using the column as an anchor to the island, whose textured-laminate panels extend out to hide the barstools, thus reducing visual clutter and maintaining clean lines. White-lacquer cabinets—one of which conceals a vent hood—almost disappear into the white walls, keeping the focus on the windows and sliding-glass doors. The high-gloss cabinets, a glass backsplash, and a stainless-steel toe kick around the island all bounce light throughout this newly open, airy and casually chic kitchen.