Introduction
Renovating a historic home can be a daunting task, especially when the home dates back nearly 300 years. This week’s featured kitchen is a stunning example of how to thoughtfully update an antique home while preserving its original charm and architectural details. Located in a 1730s Colonial house in Connecticut, this renovated kitchen artfully blends period-appropriate details with modern amenities for a space that feels fresh yet familiar.
Overview of the Home’s History and Architecture
This home was originally built around 1730 by a prosperous merchant. One of the oldest houses in the area, it is a classic example of Colonial architectural style with its gambrel roof, symmetrical windows, thick masonry walls, and large central chimney. The previous owners purchased the rundown home in the 1980s and embarked on an extensive renovation to restore it to its former grandeur.
Respecting the home’s antiquity, the owners worked diligently to maintain its historic footprint and period architectural details. Original wide plank wooden floors and paneled walls were carefully refurbished. Images of how the kitchen looked before renovation show a dark, closed-in space with low ceilings and limited natural light.
Transforming the Kitchen While Honoring History
The recent kitchen redesign needed to lighten and brighten the space without sacrificing the integrity of the antique home. Natural light was welcomed into the kitchen by opening up walls, replacing a window, and adding glass-paned cabinets. Whitewashed wooden ceilings and bright white cabinetry reflect light, creating a fresh, airy feel.
Kitchen of the Week: Respectful Renovation of a 1730 Home smartly incorporated elements to link past and present. Keeping connections to the home’s heritage, the owners chose utilitarian raw materials like wood, stone, iron, and tin for a Colonial-inspired look and feel. At the same time, they brought in modern touches for needed functionality.
Blending Old and New
- Wooden beams and shelves for open storage reflect early American kitchens. Wood surfaces add warmth and connect to the home’s original materials.
- A large stone-clad chimney and hearth anchors one end of the kitchen. The chimney mass helps stabilize temperature fluctuations from cooking. Stone nods to the home’s thick original masonry walls.
- Tin pendant lights hanging above the kitchen island have a traditional barn-like look fitting the age of the home. Tin was commonly used for lighting and household items in the Colonial era.
- Wrought iron brackets support shelves in a primitive, hand-forged style suiting the time the house was built. The dark metal contrasts the light cabinetry.
- White shaker-style cabinets provide plenty of closed storage. Their clean, classic lines and light color give the kitchen a fresh, airy look and feel.
- Butcher block countertops bring in warmth and texture. Wood counters are traditional and withstand heavy use.
- Stainless steel appliances deliver modern convenience while remaining neutral within the antique surroundings.
- The oversized kitchen island provides ample workspace. Its size accommodates family gatherings and entertaining.
- Glass-front cabinets allow display of dish collections. Glass doors bring in light and open up the sightlines.
Additional Features and Layout
Beyond the thoughtful blending of materials, the kitchen layout maximizes functionality for cooking, working, and living. Key features include:
- Work triangle – The sink, stove, and refrigerator are ideally positioned in relation to one another for efficient meal preparation.
- Prep sink – A second shallow sink located beside the kitchen island provides a convenient spot for produce washing and other prep work.
- Walk-in pantry – The spacious pantry allows for organized storage of dry goods with easy access.
- Desk area – A built-in desk provides space for household office work or kids’ homework stations.
- Fireplace – The large fireplace makes the kitchen a cozy spot for family gatherings in cooler months.
- Exposed beams – Structural beams are left exposed along the ceiling for a structural touch.
- Period hardware – Antique-style bin pulls, latches, and hinges contribute to the aged character.
The thoughtful kitchen layout marries old and new by mixing ample base and wall cabinets typical of contemporary kitchens with venerable touches like open shelving and fireplace seating. The space functions beautifully for 21st-century living while preserving the home’s remarkable history.
Key Takeaways from this Remarkable Kitchen Renovation
Some important lessons exemplified by this skillful renovation include:
- Make the most of natural light through additional windows, glass cabinets, and light colors.
- Incorporate materials like wood, stone, iron, and tin that reflect the home’s origins.
- Include antiques or replicas like hardware, lighting, and furnishings to link past with present.
- Accommodate modern functions like concealed small appliance storage and generous work surfaces.
- Maximize workspace and traffic flow with kitchen layout and ample prep zones.
- Blend open and closed storage for display and practicality.
- Allow aged architectural elements like beams and stone to shine.
This exquisite kitchen renovation goes to show that updating an antique home doesn’t mean sacrificing its heart and soul. By paying homage to original architectural details while introducing solutions for contemporary living, this revitalized kitchen masterfully bridges past and present. For homeowners undertaking historic home renovations, this thoughtful project can offer invaluable inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time period was this home originally built in?
The home was originally built around 1730 in the Colonial architectural style. It is one of the oldest homes in the area.
What changes were made to bring more light into the kitchen?
The homeowners opened up some walls, added new windows, installed glass-front cabinets, and painted the ceiling and cabinets white to reflect light and brighten the previously dark, closed-off kitchen.
How did the renovation maintain connections to the home’s original era?
The owners chose classic materials like wood, stone, iron, and tin that would have been used traditionally in Colonial homes. They also kept architectural elements like the chimney and exposed beams while using antique-style hardware and lighting.
How does the kitchen layout support modern functions?
The layout includes key work zones like a prep sink, large island, and walk-in pantry. There is also concealed small appliance storage and generous countertop workspace.
What are some tips this renovation provides for renovating historic homes?
Tips include using period materials, incorporating antiques, maximizing natural light, accommodating modern functions, respecting original architecture, and creatively blending old and new design.
How does this kitchen remain true to the home’s Colonial origins?
The kitchen honors the home’s antiquity through materials like wood, stone, iron and tin, as well as architectural elements like the chimney, beams, and hardware. At the same time, it introduces more light, storage, and workspace needed for modern living.
Conclusion
This remarkable renovated kitchen artfully unites past and present. The introduction of light, functionality, and contemporary elements revitalizes the space for 21st-century living. At the same time, respect and restraint were exercised to maintain the architectural footprint and spirit of the antique home. For homeowners and designers undertaking historic renovations, this kitchen offers an inspiring and instructive case study in honoring a home’s irreplaceable history and character while creating an updated space for family life. With its creative solutions, respect for antiquity, and graceful marriage of old and new, this reimagined 1730s kitchen will nurture generations to come in surroundings that beautifully bridge centuries.
