Modern, Black and White Elements Update Kitchen in Virginia Tudor

Donald Lococo Architects found inspiration for this Arlington, Va., kitchen renovation when it stripped back the old baseboard and trim of the old Tudor home, discovering white plaster and black metal frames.

Using the “beautiful, refined, and restrained palette” of the existing home as a base, Donald Lococo and his team incorporated modern elements that complemented the space and respected the existing character. The team created a two-story, untrimmed ceiling pitch identical to the existing roof and chiseled dormers, allowing natural light to flow from the full glass wall at the end of the kitchen through the simple, modern kitchen space.

The centerpiece of the renovated kitchen is a 13-foot black steel tower on the island, weighing over 200 pounds. The white island and accompanying tower complemented the black steel windows while adding a new, contemporary element. The steel tower presented a challenge to Lococo’s team, as the base had to be finessed through the island cabinetry to support the structure. With lost cabinet space above and below, the team adorned the tower structure with transparent shelves to hold glassware and dishes. The shelves solve storage issues and allow light to move through the kitchen, creating a continuous space.

The simplicity of the design allows it to have high functionality and efficiency—a refrigerator is concealed and blended into the design—that doesn’t overcomplicate the space. “I think it’s more about what’s not there than what is,” Lococo said. “I think it’s a matter of really trying to say more with less.”