While elegant, the pale upholstery and

finishes in these more formal spaces seem highly

impractical for new parents of young children.

Not so, insists O'Donnell, who assures WL

that the rooms are used by all members of the

family. "It's not like you have to put plastic on

the furniture. Fabric can be replaced," she says.

"I'm not going to tell the kids they can't sit in

the living room. That's absurd"

Family is important to O'Donnell and

Tracy, and this is made clear by the many silver-

framed photographs of relatives clustered on

tables throughout the house. But instead of

adding a family room to the main floor, the

couple enlarged the kitchen into a light-filled

hub for cooking, eating and hanging out. "It's

our tradition to have people over every Sunday

night," Tracy says. For these get-togethers, he

often experiments with pasta dishes that may end up on the Lia's menu and salads made with fresh

vegetables picked from the nearby community garden or the farmer's market at Dupont Circle.

"I don't think we've cooked the same thing twice," he says. With the help of designer Karen Hourigan of Kitchen and Bath

Studios in Chevy Chase, Md., the couple organized the room into separate cooking, clean-up, preparation and sitting

areas. A large sink and two stacked dishwashers are positioned at one end, opposite from two small

refrigerators for wine and beverages and cabinets for glasses. At the heart of the room, a seven-foot-

long island with a smaller sink extends in front of a six-burner Viking range. Leather stools are

pulled up to this counter for casual meals or for getting a closer look at Chef Geoff in action.

Unifying the large room are white-painted cabinets, stainless-steel appliances and golden

limestone counter-tops. Mirrored backsplashes reflect light streaming in through windows and

skylights flanking the stove. Only one electrical outlet is visible within these gleaming surfaces;

the rest are tucked under the cabinets.

Other clever design touches include a slot in the countertop for knives and shallow pantry

cabinets along one wall that provide instant access to cans and cartons - at least, for Tracy.

"The only things I make are banana bread and BLTs," O'Donnell says with a laugh.

Just past the tall refrigerator, a sitting area in