Clean sweep

With its strong horizontal lines and clean details, the 18-foot-long kitchen in a renovated Washington, D.C., row house is minimalist without appearing ultramodern. Even a backsplash was deemed gratuitous; the aluminum window sits right on the countertop, which in turn slips between cabinetry under the microwave. "We liked the idea of the horizontal plane of counter not being stopped and connecting to the outside," architect Janet Bloomberg says.

When you carefully plan that next renovation project or new home be sure the lighting is well planned out as well.Now I wouldn't want to use all of the above accents � just enough to carry a complementary flavor to the Craftsman look and feel. The concrete itself is earthy enough to carry that load. It's up to you as a homeowner or designer to add the touch that personalizes and enhances the piece. In some cases, for instance, the overwrought "traditional English manor" kitchen, usually full of elaborate detailing, can use a touch of restraint � the concrete counter with a simple ogee edge detail and a complementary white porcelain farm sink might just be perfect.

Builder: Madden Corp., Rockville, Md.; Architect: KUBE Architecture, Washington, D.C.; Photographer: Alan Karchmer. * Resources: Cabinets: Burger Custom Cabinets, Circle 175; Countertops: Concrete Jungle, Circle 176; Dishwasher/oven: KitchenAid, Circle 177; interior doors: Raydoor, Circle 178; Kitchen fittings/fixtures: Grohe, Circle 179; Lighting: Illuminations Inc., Circle 180 and W.A.C. Lighting, Circle 181; Paints: Duron, Circle 182; Patio doors: NanaWall Systems, Circle 183; Refrigerator: Sub-Zero, Circle 184; Sinks: Blanco America, Circle 185; Windows: Sherwood Windows, Circle 186.

Author: Cheryl Weber