During a vacation to the Maldives, Lesli and Daniel Creedon found inspiration for the design concept behind their newly remodeled kitchen. The family, which includes two 15-year-old children, wanted to capture the aesthetic of the powder-white sand and glass-blue lagoons that characterize the strand of islands.

The kitchen in their home — located in Alexandria’s Warwick Village neighborhood — was dark and cramped, quite unlike the sparsely populated stand of islands where sunlight glints on placid water.

“[It] didn’t function or flow properly,” said Lesli. “It was basically donut-shaped. We had a load bearing wall right in the middle of the space.”

To create the serenity they craved, the Creedons sought help from the team at Winn Design + Build. “Two of our goals for the kitchen were to have it provide dining options and better engage the outdoor living space,” said Michael Winn. “The previous kitchen … had only a single door with limited views of the backyard. The feeling we were going for was up-scale yet comfortable and functional.”

White, glass-front cabinetry surrounded by white quartz countertops and a blue and white backsplash harmonize to create the Maldivian aesthetic the Creedons sought. The soft blue cabinetry on the island streamlined the sand-and-sea color palette.

“The mother-of-pearl, wavy backsplash was my splurge, my favorite component,” said Lesli. “I also wanted a little glam, hence the crystal pendants.”

An Avallon wine cooler, Sub-Zero refrigerator, and Thermador range give a nod to high-end practicality. “Both kids have started to take an interest in cooking,” said Lesli. “We love to have family and friends over and now we have a great space to entertain and cook together.”

The breakfast room, which seats the entire family, is encased in large windows and a set of French doors.

“This design provided easy access to a new deck and dramatically lightened the entire space by allowing a large amount of natural light to filter into the kitchen,” said Winn.

“We are spending so much time in the kitchen during this crazy pandemic,” said Lesli. “I can’t imagine having to spend eight weeks in self-quarantine in my old, cramped, dark kitchen.”