Experience the beauty and functionality of this stunning Modern Minnesota Walk-Up kitchen. This week’s featured kitchen showcases sleek, contemporary design paired with rustic charm in a cozy walk-up apartment. Discover how the homeowners achieved a balance of modern and traditional elements to create their dream cooking space.
Overview of the Modern Walk-Up Kitchen
This lovely Modern Minnesota kitchen is located in a charming walk-up apartment that perfectly blends old and new. The homeowner couple was seeking to renovate their outdated, cramped kitchen into an airy, contemporary space but still honor the vintage character of their 1920s home. They achieved their vision by combining modern finishes and appliances with reclaimed wood accents and antique-inspired lighting fixtures.
The result is a kitchen that feels current yet classic. Crisp white cabinetry provides a fresh, bright backdrop. Pops of black in the hardware, countertops and backsplash anchor the space. Natural wood elements on the ceiling and island add organic texture and warmth.
This kitchen remodel expanded the footprint from a narrow galley to an open concept floor plan. Skylights and numerous windows flood the space with natural light. The vaulted wood plank ceiling lends an architectural, loft-like feel. Despite its cozy walk-up apartment location, this kitchen’s thoughtful layout and abundant light give it an expansive, welcoming vibe.
Walk-Through of the Layout and Design
Stepping into the kitchen, your eye is immediately drawn upward to the dramatic vaulted ceiling with rustic wood planks. This unique architectural detail adds visual interest and gives the modest room a spacious, airy feel.
The clean lines of the custom laminate white cabinetry provide an unfussy, gallery-like backdrop to display colorful Le Creuset cookware. The cabinets have an integrated look, with recessed handles creating a seamless flow.
The peninsula features seating for three with pendant lighting overhead. This casual dining nook separates the cooking zone from the living area, making the open floor plan feel defined yet connected.
The main appliances and sink are conveniently arranged together in an efficient work triangle. A marble-topped waterfall island provides additional prep space and stools for more casual seating.
One end of the kitchen houses a built-in desk and shelving unit to maximize unused space. The built-ins echo the white cabinetry for a cohesive look. Pops of green from houseplants liven up the neutral palette.
Mixing Modern and Rustic Elements
The homeowners adroitly blended modern and rustic elements throughout their kitchen remodel to achieve their ideal aesthetic. They paired a contemporary white palette with reclaimed wood accents. Sleek surfaces meet organic texture for visual interest.
Crisp White Cabinetry
The kitchen’s streamlined custom cabinetry provides a fresh, bright backdrop. The panel doors with recessed handles have a very integrated, unadorned look. Choosing all-white cabinetry makes the space feel open and airy. It allows the beautiful natural light from the skylights and windows to bounce around the room.
The wall cabinets have a high-gloss finish, while the base cabinets are a sleek low-sheen white. This gloss/matte contrast adds subtle depth. The extended height upper cabinets maximize storage without feeling imposing.
Natural Wood Accents
Reclaimed pine wood introduces rustic charm and warmth to the otherwise crisp white kitchen. The showstopping vaulted ceiling with exposed wood planks lends architectural interest. The untreated, raw wood has fantastic natural texture and grain patterns.
The kitchen island features a pine wood countertop on the seating side which complements the ceiling. The wood top has a rich patina and contrasts beautifully with the clean white cabinetry.
Black metal braces under the island provide an industrial touch and tie in with the other black accents throughout the kitchen. The eclectic mix of wood, concrete-look porcelain tile, metal and marble tops creates dynamic surfaces and textures.
Marble and Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops provide a durable, low-maintenance surface for food prep and dining areas. The white quartz has subtle grey veining for natural depth.
Full-slab marble on the waterfall island adds a timeless, elegant touch. Marble’s coolness helps counterbalance the warmth of the wood accents. The prominent island with marble top makes a bold style statement.
Pendant Lighting Over Island
The mini-pendant lights suspended over the kitchen island exemplify the modern meets antique concept. These black metal pendants have a vintage Edison bulb look, but with an updated black color. Their industrial warehouse vibe plays well with the reclaimed wood elements.
Blending Old and New Through Material Mixing
Beyond just mixing modern and rustic design elements, this kitchen remodel seamlessly blends vintage and contemporary through material mixing. The textures and finishes bridge old and new for a harmonious look.
Antique Glass Front Cabinets
Glass front cabinets provide a spot to display cherished vintage dishware. Their aged paned-glass fronts contrast beautifully with the fresh white cabinetry. The glass fronts allow light to filter through for an airy, ethereal effect.
Concrete Tile Backsplash
The homeowners chose a slate grey and white concrete-look porcelain tile backsplash. Concrete adds an urban edge, while the grey palette keeps the look relaxed. The tile’s variability in tone and texture resembles authentic concrete or grout. This backsplash choice nicely marries the modern and rustic kitchen components.
Reclaimed Wood Plank Ceiling
Installing a vaulted ceiling with reclaimed wood planks was a defining design move toward blending old and new. The pine wood likely originated from an old barn or building, giving it rich character. The planks have a worn, aged look that adds history to the newly remodeled kitchen.
Rustic Wood Shelving Unit
One wall of the kitchen houses a built-in shelving unit crafted from reclaimed pine wood that mimics the ceiling planks. The raw wood shelves inject a natural vibe and tie in well with the overall aesthetic blending modern finishes and vintage touches.
Q&A About This Modern Minnesota Walk-Up Kitchen
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about remodeling walk-up apartment kitchens and designing a space that artfully blends modern and rustic elements.
What are some pros and cons of remodeling a kitchen in a walk-up apartment?
Pros:
- More affordable remodel than a whole house kitchen
- Changes impact your unit only, not neighbors
- Walk-up units often have charming vintage architectural details to preserve
Cons:
- Space is very limited, so creativity is required
- Structural changes may be restricted by building management
- Floors and rooms above and below require soundproofing
What are some tips for making a small kitchen feel open and airy?
- Incorporate glass cabinets to limit visual barriers
- Install skylights and plenty of windows for natural light
- Opt for light, reflective colors like white or soft grey
- Use transparent furniture like open shelves or glass tables
- Add mirrors and pendant lighting to create sense of height
- Keep counters and island surfaces open and free of clutter
How do you mix natural wood with white kitchen cabinetry?
- Use reclaimed wood for ceiling beams or plank accents
- Choose wood for kitchen island base or countertop
- Add a butcher block cutting board to white countertop
- Incorporate rattan or wood bar stools
- Display cookbooks or fruit in a wooden crate
- Use wooden cutting boards and utensil holders
Where can you add pops of black to a white kitchen?
- Hardware like handles and knobs
- Metal light or plumbing fixtures
- Barstool bases, legs or rungs
- Small appliances like a stand mixer
- Textiles like dish towels or rugs
- Accessories like a coffee maker or utensil crock
What type of tile pairs well with reclaimed wood accents?
- Concrete or stone look porcelain or ceramic
- Subway tile with an inconsistent distressed pattern
- Mixed natural stones like travertine or slate
- Terra cotta with visible cracks and imperfections
- Hexagon tile for an antique, retro vibe
Final Thoughts on Blending Old and New
This light-filled Modern Minnesota kitchen is a stunning example of integrating modern and rustic elements. The homeowners were able to honor the vintage charm of their 1920s walk-up apartment while still achieving a current, stylish cooking space. They provide an inspirational model for remodeling a modest kitchen into a beautiful, functional showpiece.
Key highlights from this innovative kitchen redesign include:
- Mixing sleek surfaces like quartz countertops and high-gloss cabinetry with reclaimed wood accents as seen on the ceiling and shelving
- Combining contemporary styling like the skylights and pendant lights with antique-inspired touches like the glass-front cabinets
- Using a blend of natural materials with varying textures and finishes like marble, wood, metal and concrete tile
- Taking a creative approach to the layout to make a small walk-up kitchen feel spacious and airy
This Modern Minnesota kitchen provides endless ideas for fusing modern and rustic elements into a welcoming, eclectic design. Homeowners and designers seeking to strike a balance between old and new can look to this charming space for inspiration. With thoughtful integration of materials and styles, you can achieve a look that honors a home’s history while still feeling fresh and current.
