Kenton and his wife Karissa have a self-confessed love of old homes. The craftsmanship, the detail, the materials, it’s all a clarion call that they’ve never been able to resist, despite the increased cost of maintenance and modernization that inevitably follows. Take their last home, for instance: a gorgeous Victorian four square with an enormous picture window, two open fireplaces and soaring ceilings. And just one year previously, they’d had the opportunity to relocate and upgrade the kitchen, with stunning results. But then reality set in. Almost the moment they had finished, they realized that the bedroom configuration wasn’t supporting their needs as their kids entered high school. So, after ten months of work, most of which they had done themselves, they moved…next door.
The new home was another gorgeous Victorian foursquare. It had just the bedroom and bathroom space they needed. The ceiling height and intricate wood mantels were still there, the beautiful wood floors and the wide oak trim. The front elevation included a breathtaking window of leaded etched glass, and the property had been expanded to include the vacant lot beside it. But the kitchen, unfortunately, was jarringly cobbled and incomplete.
The two massive windows which looked out on the vacant lot had been closed up almost entirely to allow for upper cabinets to be hung. Roughly fifteen inches of the upper window had been reframed to sit awkwardly above the cabinetry, and a third stained glass window had been added between them. The stained red oak trim had been removed and replaced with white painted pine in a smaller width, creating an unhappy contrast between it and the rooms nearby.
The lower cabinetry was interrupted by an outer door, and the island sat so close to the refrigerator, you literally had to turn sidewise to walk past. The countertop had been measured incorrectly and didn't cover the entire island frame. Before they’d even signed the papers, they knew that kitchen had to change.
The original large windows had been bricked in to an awkward size to allow for upper cabinets.
The outer door interrupts both the upper and lower cabinetry, and the island is situated too close to the nearby refrigerator.
By the time Kenton and Karissa had invited me to join the project, they had already assembled a team and figured out a new space plan that would solve the room's most pressing problems. The plan was to reopen the original windows, eliminate the third window and relocate the outer door to an adjacent room. The door leading into the dining room would be raised and widened, the island rotated and location of appliances changed to allow for better traffic patterns.
Since the entire room would have to be gutted, all new cabinets, flooring and finishes would be needed. Most paramount was to make sure the new kitchen still looked like it belonged in the home, or they would end up with a costly renovation that was just as visually jarring as the one it replaced. So while the general contractor got started on the larger structural changes, we started designing the details.
A small section of counter was left standing so Karissa could wash dishes as long as possible. Though not returned to their original size, the windows were expanded to just a few inches above counter level, and then trimmed with the original stained red oak.
The wall into the dining room was raised and widened to free up traffic patterns through the space. The original outer door was relocated to the back room beyond, which is slated to become an extension to the pantry at a later date. It was also found necessary to perform extensive work at the basement level in order to support the new structure, requiring a total removal of the floor and subfloor, which were then leveled. Work by Amburgey Construction, GC. Windows by Pella.
The renovation lasted three months, and was initially hampered by the discovery of structural issues below ground level. The subfloor had to be completely removed and additional joists added in order to support the weight of the new opening. Then, the new floor had to be carefully leveled to accept the tile, which is a common issue in older homes. The additional work, however, was very much worth it. The new configuration gave more usable space and connected the kitchen to the dining room.
The cabinetry had originally been designed in a white shaker style, but since the wood floor had been removed in the renovation, it was important to bring warmth back into the room. So we worked with custom cabinet maker Imanuel Schrock to create a show stopping quarter-sawn oak island, stained to match the mantels in the nearby living and dining rooms. Additionally, the original oak trim and baseboards were replicated in the new space, to help connect it to the dining room next door. Key to this was to frame the windows with stained wood, which would bring the warmth all the way across the room. The tile on the floor and backsplash needed to be a healthy mix between modern forms and vintage finishes, while the Italian-made range served as the base line for all hardware and lighting selections.
The quarter sawn white oak island was a key element to add visual weight and a focal point to the space. Paired with oak trim around windows and doors, it served as a connection point to the history of the home.
The hardware and metal finish choices throughout the kitchen took their cue from the new Italian made range, while the backsplash and floor tile combined modern forms with aged finishes.
The final space is a beautiful blend of light and warmth, classic and modern. While obviously a refresh, it remains rooted in it's hundred year old history.
In the end, the different colors and styles melded together in a beautiful blend of light and warmth, classic and modern. While obviously a refresh, the room looks as though it is only a step away from its history. With careful thought and attention to detail, Kenton and Karissa's renovation demonstrates that cohesion is possible when making alterations to historic homes. With the right combination of elements, an older home can be brought into a new era while still honoring its past. With delightful results.
Erin Rollins Interiors is an interior designer and decorator serving the greater Columbus, Ohio area.
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