This Chevy Chase kitchen design expresses the contrasting preferences of the homeowners. She likes contemporary. He likes traditional. This transitional design splits the difference between the two styles.

A palette of cool contemporary tones, off-white and pale gray, is offset by saturated colors typically associated with a traditional style. The light tones of the perimeter cabinets are hi-gloss while the island and accent wall have a low-sheen finish.

The home interior has elaborate millwork, substantial baseboards, and decorative columns. The design style of the kitchen breaks with that tradition but was “softened” to fit into the dominant theme of the interiors.

Also note the use of mixed metals in the design: gold-toned faucets, charcoal gray drawer pulls on the island, polished chrome tab pulls on the perimeter cabinets and stainless surfaces on the appliances.