ALL PHOTOS by Angela Newton Roy
Photo by Angela Newton Roy Photography
The kitchen table and gold-leaf ceiling in the Old Town Alexandria kitchen.
Step into the heart of Old Town Alexandria, where history meets innovation in a recent stunning kitchen and breakfast room remodel. The team from Total Home Design LLC was tasked with transforming a small galley kitchen, its adjoining petite breakfast room and primary bathroom into a beautiful, functional space that honors both tradition and modernity.
The result? A timeless, elegant design that gives a nod to Old Town’s Colonial charm while incorporating the client’s personal history and a touch of contemporary flair.
The design journey began with the client’s cherished heirloom collection of copper pots and pans—passed down from her mother. In homage to this legacy, the team, led by Ana Djevenica-Cholko, incorporated copper accents throughout, including a stunning copper kitchen sink, cabinet pulls, light fixtures, and even the faucet.
Photo by Angela Newton Roy Photography
Copper accents in the kitchen.
The color palette for the space revolves around a monochromatic colonial blue, from the custom cabinetry to the walls themselves, creating a serene and cohesive atmosphere. The backsplash complements the blue tones, while the striking checkered marble floor adds a playful yet sophisticated touch, making the kitchen both fun and timeless. Quartzite countertops with delicate blue veining finish the design, perfectly balancing modern luxury with classic elegance.
Adjacent to the kitchen, the small breakfast room was redesigned as a cozy yet efficient extension. Drawing inspiration from arched windows, the design firm built custom shelving units flanking either side of the window and added a built-in seating bench that also functions as storage.
This clever solution provides additional space for the client to store less frequently used kitchen items, keeping the room organized. A brown and copper round marble-top table, surrounded by mid-century modern leather chairs, creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. The room’s crowning jewel is the ceiling, covered in gold leaf wallpaper, adding a touch of luxury and creating a cozy, elegant space.
The design magic doesn’t stop there. The client’s primary bathroom was also given a luxurious
Photo by Angela Newton Roy Photography
Green tiles accent the primary bath.
makeover. The design team embraced an emerald-green color scheme that exudes sophistication, with a champagne bronze finish on luxurious shower features. An arched entrance into the private shower area, complete with a small bench, enhances the spa-like ambiance.
A double sink vanity is adorned with Verde arched mosaic marble tile, complementing the shower’s design, while the large checkered-pattern floor tiles add warmth and dimension. A freestanding bathtub, finished in matte black, ties together the sleek, modern finishes of the space, making it the ultimate retreat.
This project is a beautiful tribute to Old Town Alexandria’s history and architecture, with design details that reflect both the client’s family legacy and the timeless elegance of the neighborhood. It’s a true fusion of modern functionality and traditional beauty, creating spaces that are both practical and deeply personal.
All photos by Angela Newton Roy, an interiors and architectural photographer in the Northern Virginia area with clients up and down the East Coast. She enjoys collaborating with designers to tell the visual story of their projects, always capturing the feeling of the space. She found this one to be especially fun given the designer’s vision for the home.
