Introduction
This week we’re taking a step back in time to explore a beautifully renovated 1890s kitchen featuring a charming combination of wood, white, and blue elements. Despite its age, this kitchen boasts a fresh, light and airy look that feels perfectly suited for a modern home. The thoughtful restoration honors the history of the space while incorporating modern conveniences. Read on as we take a closer tour of this week’s stunning featured kitchen!
Historical Details
The homeowners purchased this late 19th century home knowing that the kitchen would require extensive work to modernize it while retaining its vintage character. The original kitchen layout featured a closed-off floor plan with an antique wood stove and ice box cooler.
After consulting with restoration experts, the owners embarked on a renovation to open up the space while preserving original finishes like the beadboard walls and ceiling. This allowed them to maintain the old-world charm of the home while adapting the kitchen for contemporary living.
A Light and Airy Color Palette
One of the most striking aspects of this renovated kitchen is the fresh, breezy color palette. Crisp white cabinetry paired with light blue walls creates a coastal, beachy feel. Pale yellow tile backsplashes provide a warm pop of subtle color.
The homeowners opted for creamy white perimeter cabinetry contrasted by a large kitchen island in a natural wood finish. Countertops are white quartz with a marble-like veining that complements both the cabinets and wood island.
Beyond the cabinetry, the blue on the walls is echoed through vintage-inspired tile patterns on the floor. This adds lovely dimension while enhancing the aged character of the original kitchen.
Vintage Styling
While clearly adapted for modern living, this kitchen incorporates several period-appropriate details to preserve its old-fashioned style. The homeowners outfitted it with pendant lighting and sconces featuring a French country look with a distressed wood finish and vintage bulbs.
Wainscoting on the lower half of the walls pays homage to the original beadboard while protecting the surface from wear and tear. Open shelving above the sink has a farmhouse vibe and displays a collection of charming antique dishware.
The island contains retractable iron inserts along the legs for an authentic 1890s look. And a ceiling-mounted pot rack puts frequently used cookware on display above the expansive butcher block island top.
Blending Old and New
What’s especially impressive about this 1890s kitchen renovation is how seamlessly modern functionality blends with the home’s historic roots. While retaining the beadboard walls, the ceiling was updated with smooth drywall painted bright white. Recessed lighting provides excellent task lighting over the sink and island.
A new picture window floods the space with natural light. Stainless steel appliances contrast nicely with the traditional cabinetry and offer an efficient cooking experience.
The extra-wide farmhouse sink adds a touch of vintage appeal while offering deep basins ideal for washing large pots and pans. This smart blending of old and new resulted in a kitchen with abundant historic charm and 21st-century convenience.
FAQs About 1890s Kitchen Renovations
What are some key elements to include when renovating an antique kitchen?
Some key elements to include are: restoring original finishes like beadboard; incorporating vintage-style lighting and hardware; using classic materials like butcher block, nickel, and cast iron; and blending in modern updates like improved storage and new appliances.
What are some tips for adding light to a dark, closed-off antique kitchen?
Tips include: opening up the floor plan, adding windows and skylights, using pale paint colors, installing recessed lighting, opting for glass cabinet doors, and incorporating reflective surfaces like subway tile and quartz countertops.
Should you remove original kitchen walls and floors during a renovation?
It’s best to retain any original finishes, like wood floors and beadboard walls, that are salvageable. Many antique kitchens have charming architectural details worth preserving.
What are some ways to add storage without taking away from vintage character?
Opt for glass-front cabinet doors, open shelving, drawer inserts for lower cabinets, rollout shelves in base units, and suspended pots racks over islands. Period-appropriate pantry cabinets can add substantial storage as well.
How do you modernize an antique kitchen on a budget?
Focus on quick fixes like new cabinet hardware, lighting, sink fixtures and budget-friendly paint colors. Look for reusable materials like vintage tiles and reclaimed wood. Prioritize key upgrades like energy-efficient appliances and adequate lighting.
What should you avoid when renovating an old kitchen?
Avoid anything that won’t mesh with the age and architecture of the home, like contemporary granite counters in a Victorian kitchen. Don’t block natural light sources or remove original walls and floors that are in good shape.
Achieving the Perfect Blend of Old and New
This light-filled 1890s kitchen is a great example of seamlessly blending vintage and modern. The homeowners and designers worked together to honor the original architecture while outfitting it for contemporary living. From the refreshed color scheme to the clever storage solutions, everything comes together beautifully.
Thoughtful choices like pendant lighting, butcher block, on-trend appliances and salvaged finishes produce a vintage vibe with 21st-century convenience. For those undertaking their own old home renovations, this kitchen offers plenty of inspiration for retaining old-world charm while updating your space. With careful planning and creative problem solving, you too can achieve the perfect fusion of old and new.
Conclusion
This stunning preserved 1890s kitchen shows that a vintage space can feel completely fresh and current with careful renovation. Thanks to a respect for original finishes paired with smart updates, this charming kitchen now offers relaxed modern living while retaining all its historical appeal. The light color palette, vintage styling and seamless blending of old and new come together to create an utterly Insta-worthy antique kitchen that feels uniquely timeless. For an inspiring pick this week, this is one kitchen of the past we’d happily cook in today!
