This traditional home is located in Forest Hill, Maryland. “The surrounding area has a warm, welcoming feel that complements the timeless character of the home,” says Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens & Baths. “Nestled in a quiet, established neighborhood, it offers the perfect setting for family life and entertaining.”

The clients were entering an exciting new chapter of their lives. With the husband recently retired and their children grown and moved out, they wanted to refresh their home to better reflect how they live today. In addition to Tanya, they enlisted interior designer Elizabeth Miller Reich for the redesign. “Their biggest priority was creating a kitchen that would become the heart of the home,” Tanya notes. “A warm, inviting gathering place where family and friends could comfortably come together.”

The couple was ready to replace their dated cream-colored kitchen with a richer, warmer palette that felt timeless while still honoring the home’s traditional architecture. A spacious layout that could accommodate entertaining and family gatherings was essential, as was the integration of premium Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances.

“Our scope included a complete renovation of the kitchen, bar, and mudroom, creating a cohesive design that flows beautifully throughout the home’s main living spaces,” Tanya shares. “The redesigned kitchen was planned around connection and gathering. One of the most impactful changes was relocating the doorway to the living room, which allowed us to create a generous banquette seating area—now one of the home’s favorite spots for casual meals, morning coffee, and conversations.”

The new kitchen pairs timeless cabinetry with warm finishes, creating a welcoming atmosphere that feels both elevated and comfortable. Nearby, the bar extends the kitchen’s aesthetic while making entertaining effortless, and the redesigned mudroom brings stylish, functional storage to the family’s everyday routine. Premium Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances offer professional-level performance without disrupting the home’s classic aesthetic. Brizo plumbing fixtures and HRL Brass hardware add polished details, while dramatic stone from Imagine Surfaces delivers the “wow” moment the homeowners were after. Savoy House lighting provides the finishing touch overhead.

Tanya says that by reworking the room’s circulation, they were able to maximize the footprint and create the space the couple had envisioned. “They were thrilled with the transformation,” she tells us. “The renovation delivered exactly what they had envisioned—a warm, inviting home that feels updated while remaining timeless, with plenty of space to host family gatherings for years to come.”