University Park Residence — Modern Kitchen
Location: University Park, Maryland
Project Category: Modern Kitchens
Project Overview
Originally built in 1928, this home offered historic character but lacked the functionality, storage, and hosting capabilities required by a modern, dual-professional family. The original kitchen was segmented, undersized, and disconnected from the main living areas. Circulation pathways created bottlenecks; hosting required improvisation; and morning routines often collided with meal preparation.
The homeowners sought a solution that made daily living graceful — not rushed — and elevated weekend entertaining into something effortless.
The Problem
The home suffered from:
A small footprint kitchen without proper workflow
Minimal storage and no pantry space
Bottlenecked circulation pathways
No visual connection between kitchen, dining, and outdoors
Low natural light
Limited prep surfaces for hosting
Appliances clustered without intention
Additionally, the homeowners wanted to preserve character while achieving a distinctly modern kitchen that supported wellness, hosting, and family rhythm.
The Strategy
NGage’s design-build team unified architecture, interiors, and construction to solve holistically rather than piecemeal.
Program priorities included:
Increase prep and cooking efficiency
Introduce hidden storage solutions
Deliver an island with seating + culinary workspace
Integrate high-performance appliances (Sub-Zero, Wolf, Cove)
Establish a calm material palette with elevated detail
Expand natural light
Strengthen the connection between kitchen + dining
Support family morning routines and weekend hosting
Constraints & Challenges
Structural walls limited the ability to open up the main level
Local permitting timeline with architectural review board
Aging electrical panel requiring full replacement to support new appliances
Custom millwork lead times
Program required both form + function without sacrificing character
The Solution
The reimagined kitchen now features:
A custom 11’ Dekton Laurent island with 4-sided functional programming
Integrated LED-lit custom pantry with floor-to-ceiling organization
Hidden spice pull-outs and appliance garages
Expanded window lines for daylight optimization
A reconfigured floor plan to eliminate bottlenecks
Seamlessly integrated hood and panel-ready refrigeration
Elevated finishes that balance modern discipline with warmth
Concierge Execution
To streamline decision-making and protect client time:
Showroom visits were pre-curated and chauffeur-led
Selections were completed in two visits instead of seven typical industry appointments
Private chef experience welcomed the family home on move-in day
Packing + storage coordination eliminated renovation disruption
The Outcome
The transformation delivered:
312% increase in functional storage
48% more natural light
2,000+ square inches of additional prep surface
Morning routines no longer collide
Hosting now feels fluid, not improvisational
Emotionally, the homeowners shared that the new kitchen “created calm in our mornings, excitement in our weekends, and the kind of space that feels like ours.”
“Their attention to detail and commitment to quality truly stood out. We’ve already recommended them to others.”
— Former Customer