Tracy Hirsch had a problem that many Northern Virginia townhome owners know well: a kitchen that looked its age, offered almost no storage, and left her with food and appliances scattered across every available surface. Built in 1986, the Burke townhome's kitchen was due for a serious change. Tracy and her husband had already trusted Bull Run Kitchen & Bath with their bathroom renovations and been thrilled with the results. When it came time to tackle the kitchen, there was no debate about who to call.
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The Burke kitchen remodel was led by designer Sally Hamlet-Koskon, whose philosophy guided every decision: functionality first, always. A beautiful kitchen that does not work well is not a success. In a compact townhome kitchen, every square inch had to earn its place — and the design Sally developed made the most of every one of them. The central move was opening up the wall between the kitchen and living room. Where a barrier once divided the two spaces, an open-concept layout now connects them, giving the kitchen a spacious, airy feel that belies the townhome's footprint. Tracy describes the feeling as comparable to a single-family home — and the kitchen now is the unmistakable heart of the main level.
Design & Materials:
The navy blue cabinetry is the defining design choice of this Burke kitchen remodel. Bold, classic, and immediately striking, the navy cabinets are US-made and carry a lifetime warranty — a ament to their quality. The countertops are quartz — also with a lifetime warranty — and the backsplash uses the same quartz stone as the counters, creating a seamless, high-end look that elevates the entire kitchen. Under-cabinet lighting enhances the backsplash and adds ambiance throughout the kitchen, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in the evening while making the work surface brighter and more functional during food preparation. The plumbing was relocated from its original wall to a new position that makes the kitchen work better: the trash can, sink, and dishwasher are now grouped together in what Sally calls a "triangle" — a workflow configuration that makes cleanup intuitive and efficient. A KitchenAid mixer lift-up is integrated into the cabinetry, keeping the countertop clear when the mixer is not needed and accessible at the touch of a hand when it is. Wall pantries along a newly built wall dramatically increased the kitchen's storage capacity — a defining priority for Tracy and her husband, who had been overwhelmed by their previous lack of storage. Popcorn ceilings throughout the home were scraped and replaced with recessed lighting, giving the entire space a cleaner, more modern feel.
The Transformation Process:
One of the notable moments in this Burke kitchen remodel came after demolition, when a hidden pipe was discovered running through the ceiling — an obstacle that could not have been identified beforehand. Sally's team relocated it without disruption to the project timeline, handling the unexpected with matter-of-fact professionalism. Tracy had also previously worked with Bull Run on her bathrooms, which gave her a baseline of trust going into the kitchen remodel. Designer Sally built on that established relationship, and the collaboration was seamless from the first meeting.
Why Bull Run:
Burke and Fairfax County homeowners who want a kitchen remodel that solves real problems — not just updates the look — will find Bull Run Kitchen & Bath to be the right partner. Their designers balance aesthetics with genuine functionality, and their crews execute with precision and professionalism. From bold navy blue cabinetry and open-concept layouts to integrated storage solutions and full lighting upgrades, Bull Run Kitchen & Bath brings the experience and the design intelligence that Burke townhome and single-family home owners deserve. Contact them today for a free consultation — serving Burke, Fairfax County, and communities throughout Northern Virginia and the DMV area.
Testimonial:
“I'm more on the functionality part. Functionality is the key. If you don't have enough functionality — who cares about your beautiful tiles or your beautiful us-made cabinets? If you don't have enough functionality, you are not going to remember us in a good way. In such a small kitchen like this, we have great functionality.”
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The finishedroom
Your smile tells us we’ve done things right. That your experience remodeling your kitchen and bath has been more than what you expected. And as a result you can’t help but gush over your new kitchen or bath and tell everyone about it!
