Bel Air Kitchen

Bel Air, Maryland

Letting light—and life—back into the kitchen.

This kitchen renovation in Harford County was driven by a clear and honest starting point: the client truly disliked her existing kitchen. The space felt dark, disconnected, and poorly laid out, offering little relationship to the adjacent living room. A small, constricting pass-through limited light and made the kitchen feel isolated rather than integrated into daily life. The vision was simple but meaningful—to transform the kitchen into a brighter, more functional space that felt connected, welcoming, and worthy of gathering.

The solution began with opening the room—both physically and visually. The pass-through was expanded as much as possible, allowing natural light to travel deeper into the kitchen and creating a stronger dialogue between spaces. With improved sightlines and flow, the kitchen could finally function as part of the home’s larger rhythm rather than a closed-off work zone.

Cabinetry played a central role in shaping the room’s character. Dark-stained white oak inset cabinetry grounds the peninsula, bringing warmth and depth, while painted inset base and wall cabinets along the perimeter keep the space feeling light and balanced. In the pantry, the cabinetry is fully color-drenched—the only true moment of color in the kitchen—creating a subtle sense of surprise and contrast. Paired with a richly stained library ladder, the pantry becomes both a functional workhorse and a quiet design statement.

At the heart of the kitchen sits the unmistakable La Cornue CornuFé 90 range, finished in black with polished brass accents—a true pièce de résistance that anchors the entire space. Its sculptural form and contrasting metal accents anchor the room, elevating the kitchen from purely functional to quietly expressive. Open shelving along the walls introduces a lighter touch, offering moments for display while maintaining an airy feel.

Lighting throughout the space was carefully considered to support both function and mood. Subtle in-cabinet lighting enhances glass-front cabinetry, adding depth and dimension as the light shifts throughout the day. Decorative fixtures add softness and personality, while task and accent lighting ensure the kitchen works beautifully from morning through evening. Each element contributes to a space that feels warm, layered, and thoughtfully composed.

Core Renovation Highlights:

• Full kitchen renovation and reconfiguration
• Expanded opening connecting kitchen and living spaces
• Inset cabinetry combining painted finishes and dark-stained white oak
• Color-drenched pantry with custom library ladder
• Statement range focal point
• Open wall-mounted shelving
• Glass-front cabinetry with integrated interior lighting
• Panel-ready refrigeration and dishwasher
• Layered decorative, task, and accent lighting
• Refined hardware and fixture selections throughout