Kitchen of the Week showcases beautiful and unique kitchen designs from around the world. This week, we’re exploring a charming traditional-style kitchen located in Seattle, WA. From its coffered ceilings to built-in cabinetry, this space is full of timeless details that give it a warm and inviting feel. Keep reading to take a tour of this week’s featured kitchen and get inspired by its traditional touches balanced with modern conveniences.
Introduction
This traditional kitchen designed by [company name] is located in a 1925 Tudor revival-style home in Seattle’s Madison Park neighborhood. The homeowners wanted to remodel their dated kitchen while preserving and enhancing the traditional architectural details of their historic home. The original kitchen was very small and closed off. By opening up the space to the adjacent dining room, the designers were able to create a more functional, open concept kitchen and casual dining area perfect for family meals.
Throughout the remodel, great care was taken to retain the home’s original charm and character. The existing coffered ceiling was preserved, new custom cabinetry was added for more storage, and high-end appliances were installed for modern convenience. Reclaimed antique lighting and fixtures also helped strike the right balance between old and new. The result is a luminous, timeless kitchen that feels connected to the past yet updated for how the homeowners live today.
Below, we’ll explore this Kitchen of the Week in more detail, including:
- Traditional Kitchen Layout and Flow
- Custom Cabinetry Design
- Coffered Ceilings
- Antique Lighting Fixtures
- Marble and Wood Surfaces
- Modern Appliances
- Traditional Kitchen Inspiration and Takeaways
Whether you live in a historical home or want to add traditional flair to a more contemporary space, this charming Seattle kitchen is sure to provide inspiration. The thoughtful blend of eras results in a welcoming space with broad appeal.
Traditional Kitchen Layout and Flow
The layout of this kitchen strikes a neat balance between formal and casual. It maintains a traditional workflow and clear sense of zones while also feeling open and connected.
- Formal Dining Area – At the front of the kitchen, symmetrical cabinetry flanking the range creates a formal dining area. This is ideal for more elegant meals with guests.
- Casual Dining – Opening up the wall between the kitchen and an existing sunroom created a casual dining zone perfect for family meals. Large windows provide garden views.
- Work Triangle – The sink, stove, and refrigerator are arranged in an efficient triangular workflow. This allows the cook to easily move between key stations.
- Desk Area – A small desk area provides workspace for meal planning and casual computer use. The homeowners can oversee kids in the family room from this vantage point.
- Walk-in Pantry – Hidden behind a paneled pocket door, the spacious walk-in pantry provides storage for dry goods and small appliances.
- Mudroom Access – French doors connect the kitchen to the home’s mudroom, allowing for easy transition when returning with groceries.
This thoughtful layout allows the kitchen to multitask as a command center for family life as well as an elegant space for entertaining. The marriage of formal and casual zones is a hallmark of traditional kitchen design.
Custom Cabinetry Design
One of the top priorities for this kitchen remodel was increasing storage and functionality through custom cabinetry built to fill every available space. The traditional-style cabinets feature elements such as:
- Paneled Doors – The cabinet fronts feature detailed recessed paneling in keeping with the home’s traditional architecture.
- Distressed Finish – The painted cabinet finish has an intentionally aged, distressed look that matches the home’s lived-in character.
- Decorative Crowns – Intricate crowns top the upper cabinets, with dentil details and matching distressed finish.
- Pulls – Antique brass hardware pulls not only look period-appropriate but are easy for little hands to grip.
- Glass Front Cabinets – Glass-front upper cabinets provide open display space to break up the cabinetry.
- Built-In Refrigerator – For seamless integration, the refrigerator is concealed behind cabinetry fronts.
- Variable Heights – Upper cabinets are not just one standard height, but tuned to fit specific items and maximize space.
- Optimized Corners – The typically challenging corner space is maximized with specialized cabinet inserts and racks.
Thanks to thoughtful details like these, the custom cabinetry acts as the lynchpin that brings old and new together in this historic Seattle kitchen.
Coffered Ceilings
A standout original feature that was preserved in the redesign is the kitchen’s coffered ceilings. This architectural detail features molded squares that recess into the ceiling, often arranged in a grid pattern. It’s a hallmark feature of Tudor style homes and manor houses.
Beyond just their decorative appeal, coffered ceilings have many benefits:
- Visually Raise Ceiling Height – The divided sections can trick the eye into perceiving a higher ceiling.
- Draw Focus Upwards – Coffers provide visual interest and emphasize the vertical space.
- Enhanced Acoustics – The angles and indentations help absorb sound and prevent echoes.
- Opportunities for Lighting – Recessed lighting fixtures can be attractively integrated into each sunken square.
- Texture and Depth – The light and shadow from coffers adds appealing visual texture and depth.
For this kitchen, the existing coffers were retained and repaired where needed. New LED lighting was added to take advantage of their design possibilities. Preserving this architectural detail was key to maintaining the historical charm of the home while modernizing the space. It proves heritage features can work beautifully in contemporary open concept kitchens.
Antique Lighting Fixtures
Another way this kitchen bridges old and new is through its blend of lighting fixtures. Vintage-style pendants, sconces, and chandeliers pair with convenient recessed lighting for the best of both worlds.
Some of the key vintage lighting choices include:
- Over-Sink Pendants – Curve-neck pendants reminiscent of the 1920s hang elegantly above the sink, fitted with energy-saving LED bulbs.
- Brass Sconces – Decorative brass sconces mount onto the paneling between the upper cabinets, providing perfect task lighting.
- Dining Chandelier – A stunning antique crystal chandelier hangs above the formal dining table, elevating the ambiance.
- Recessed Coffer Lighting – In the coffers themselves, circular recessed LED lights provide general illumination.
- Under-Cabinet Lights – Hidden LED lighting mounted under the upper cabinets guarantees excellent task visibility.
- Sunroom Chandelier – In the new dining area, another crystal chandelier makes a glamorous statement.
The balance of new technology like LEDs combined with vintage beauty demonstrates how to have the best of both worlds. The lighting fills the kitchen with charm and functionality.
Marble and Wood Surfaces
When choosing finishes for a traditional kitchen, natural materials like marble, granite, and wood lend an authentic flair. This Seattle kitchen utilizes stone and wood for timeless, dramatic effect:
Marble Countertops
The kitchen features beautiful Carrara marble countertops and backsplash. This white marble with gray veining has been used in sculpture and architecture for centuries. Its advantages include:
- Timeless Appeal – Marble is a classic material that has enjoyed popularity for millennia, proving its longevity.
- Unique Patterns – No two pieces of natural marble are exactly alike, lending one-of-a-kind interest.
- Bright Contrast – The white background illuminated by recessed lights creates cheerful contrast against the cabinetry.
- Easy Maintenance – While sealing is required, marble’s polished finish does not require intensive cleaning.
Carrara marble specifically has an unmistakable Old World look perfect for traditional kitchens.
Butcher Block Island
Another way this kitchen incorporates wood is through a large butcher block prep island. The thick solid wood top offers benefits like:
- Warmth – The wood finish brings welcome warmth and life compared to stone or stainless steel.
- Purpose-Built – Butcher block is designed and shaped specifically for food preparation tasks.
- Attractive Aging – Natural wood develops an attractive patina from use over time.
- Easy Replaceability – Butcher block panels can be swapped out if needed, unlike a slab.
The prominent wood island creates a casual prep space amidst the finery, with extra seating for casual meals.
Through marble and butcher block, this kitchen finds the ideal natural materials to complement its traditional look. Their inherent beauty suits the homes historic nature.
Modern Appliances
While honoring its past, this kitchen also fully embraces modern technology for maximum function. The homeowners cooked frequently and required top-of-the-line appliances. Key upgrades include:
- Pro-Grade Range – A powerful six-burner range with griddle by Wolf allows serious home chefs to cook restaurant-worthy meals.
- Double Ovens – Large double ovens provide ample capacity for big family meals and holiday baking.
- Full-Size Fridge – This kitchen prioritized food storage with an expansive built-in Sub-Zero refrigerator.
- Quiet Dishwasher – Well-integrated Miele dishwasher handles after-dinner cleanup quietly and efficiently.
- Beverage Center – For easy entertaining, a Marvel beverage center with refrigerator, ice maker, and wine storage was included.
- Microwave Drawer – A streamlined microwave drawer allowed for invisible convenience without taking up counter space.
By investing in luxury appliances, this kitchen was tailored to the needs of the homeowners who regularly cooked large meals for family and friends. The appliances streamline cooking and cleanup without detracting from the traditional design.
Traditional Kitchen Inspiration and Takeaways
For homeowners and designers seeking to infuse more traditional charm into a kitchen renovation, this Seattle space demonstrates several best practices:
- Preserve Architecture – Retain any distinctive existing architecture, such as coffered ceilings or interior arches. Enhance these details.
- Natural Materials – Wood, stone, and metal convey a sense of history and suit traditional homes. Select materials that will age gracefully.
- Handcrafted Quality – Custom cabinetry and carpentry lend authenticity and fit the space perfectly. Support this dying art.
- Vintage Lighting – Use antique or vintage-style lighting fixtures and pendants to add elegance. Mix with recessed lighting.
- Balance Old & New – Blend antiques and reproductions with modern appliances. Marry tradition with functionality.
- Space for Gathering – Arrange the kitchen to accommodate family meals, casual snacking, and formal entertaining.
- Cohesive Design – Let a professional designer unify all elements into a harmonious whole, greater than the sum of its parts.
While grand in scope thanks to its generous size and upscale elements, this Seattle kitchen retains intimacy through its thoughtful details and connection to heritage. This provides inspiration for designers and homeowners aiming for spaces equal parts livable, beautiful, and timeless. A kitchen steeped in tradition but equipped for modern life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traditional Kitchen Design
Traditional kitchen design continues to be a popular choice thanks to its timeless elegance and welcoming warmth. For those considering a traditional kitchen, there are some key questions that often arise. Below are answers to some of the most common queries.
What are some hallmarks of a traditional kitchen?
Some typical characteristics of traditional kitchen design include:
- Craftsman details like exposed beams and coffered ceilings
- Ornate hardware like crystal chandeliers and brass pulls
- Dark built-in cabinetry with glass fronts and detailed molding
- Natural materials like granite countertops and butcher block
- Vintage styling such as subway tile backsplash and farmhouse sink
- Architectural layout with work triangle/galley workflow
What colors work well in a traditional kitchen?
Traditional kitchens typically use a neutral color palette for major elements like cabinetry, countertops, and walls. Common color choices include:
- Whites, off whites, and cream
- Grays from light dove to charcoal
- Beige, tan, and brown for warmth
- Blues like navy and powder blue
- Greens like sage and hunter green
Pops of accent colors can be added through smaller details like tile backsplash, appliances, decor items, and upholstery. Rich color palettes like jewel tones help create an elegant mood.
What flooring options look best in traditional kitchens?
Period-appropriate flooring enhances the traditional kitchen aesthetic. Top options include:
- Wide plank wood floors, either new or reclaimed
- Black and white checkered tile
- Classic subway tile
- Hexagon tile mosaics
- Stone like marble or travertine
- Brick flooring, especially in a herringbone pattern
Avoid modern-looking materials like vinyl flooring. Focus on options with longevity that develop patina.
Should I use an open or closed layout?
Traditional kitchens can work with either open or closed layouts. Galley kitchens with walls separating rooms used to be most common. Today, many homeowners open up walls for a more casual and connected feel while retaining work triangles. Decide based on:
- Historic architecture and need to preserve it
- Preferred workflow and visual separation
- How closed off or connected you want to feel
Aim to create defined work zones whether open or closed. For smaller kitchens, embrace compartments.
How much does a traditional kitchen remodel cost?
Traditional kitchens cost more than contemporary ones due to extensive cabinetry, premium materials, and ornamentation. Budget estimates:
- Good: $35,000 – $75,000
- Better $75,000 – $150,000
- Best $150,000+
Factors impacting cost include location, size, custom work, and appliances. Labor-intensive details raise the price but deliver stunning results.
What are some alternatives to a full remodel?
To add traditional flair without a full-scale renovation, consider smaller updates like:
- Adding moulding trim to cabinet doors
- Replacing doors with glass-front cabinet inserts
- Installing new hardware like brass pulls or ornate lighting
- Painting cabinets in a heritage color like navy blue
- Changing modern counters to butcher block or marble
- Switching a stainless steel sink for a classic farmhouse apron-front style
Even small steps like these can refresh the kitchen’s overall traditional look.
Conclusion
This Seattle kitchen demonstrates how embracing heritage architecture and furniture can revitalize a kitchen remodel with timeless beauty and functionality. Rather than falling for passing trends, the homeowners invested in classic details like coffered ceilings, custom cabinetry, and natural stone that serve the space well for decades to come. Their vision honors the past through vintage lighting and antique style while fully integrating modern convenience through luxury appliances.
For those seeking inspiration, this charming kitchen shows that a traditional approach need not mean boring or stuffy. The warmth of natural materials, playful vintage lighting, and family-friendly layout fill this kitchen with an inviting spirit. Attentive restoration work helps it feel simultaneously fresh and steeped in heritage. This seamless marriage of old and new is what defines the enduring appeal of traditional kitchen design.
