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Home Decorating Before & After Kitchens

Before and After Kitchen in an 1880s urban row house

5 years ago

This is our kitchen-- we did it last October and I thought I would share pics...I have had a window seat cushion made since these were taken. Our house had been a rental and sat on the market forever despite a really great location because of this kitchen.

Victorian Rowhouse Kitchen remodel, before and after · More Info

Victorian Rowhouse Kitchen remodel, before and after · More Info

Victorian Rowhouse Kitchen remodel, before and after · More Info

Victorian Rowhouse Kitchen remodel, before and after · More Info

Victorian Rowhouse Kitchen remodel, before and after · More Info

Victorian Rowhouse Kitchen remodel, before and after · More Info

Victorian Rowhouse Kitchen remodel, before and after · More Info

Featured Answer

Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

That is a fantastic kitchen. I love it all. The stained glass inset is particularly gorgeous and the window seat is perfect- the chairs and stool are lovely as well. Congratulations!!

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Comments (44)

heatheron40
5 years ago
Beautiful!
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Related Discussions
Row House Kitchen Addition - Layout Advice
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Comments (11)
Thanks for the feedback! It's much appreciated. A little more about the table clearance (which I agree is an issue, I'm just not sure if it's a deal-breaker...) I think the layout as drawn has between 2-4'' extra inside the U (between oversized inside corner clearances and clearance around the range), so I don't think the aisle space between counter and table will be worse when built with a 1.5'' counter projection. Our stools project out 13'' at the bottom (widest part), so they shouldn't be much of an additional obstacle. And I just re-measured the wall/counter to table clearances around the dining table in our current rental and it's 33'', 32'', and 23.5'' (the fourth side is open to the living room), so I guess we're used to a tight squeeze! Although having the open side makes a world of difference, so I really am listening to your concerns. I do also worry that a shimmy that works when you've just turned 40 could become a more significant issue as we age, since we're planning/hoping for this to be our forever home. @bmorepanic - it's funny you should suggest that layout b/c I've been noticing a lot of home decor articles lately focused on having a large table in the center of the kitchen. So it would be both very stylish and of-the-moment, yet completely fitting in our Victorian. Your layout also makes clear that it would make our kitchen feel huge. The downside is I'm not sure I like the total openness between kitchen and dining. I was hoping to get away from the feeling of "I'm eating in the kitchen" - but that may be unavoidable in this space, so perhaps I should just really embrace it. I think I'd also miss having a seating option that's puts the sitter closer to the stander's eye level (if that makes any sense). Very good food for thought, though, as it's an option I hadn't seriously considered - thank you. @missingtheobvious - an earlier iteration of the design had smaller clearances in the corner (that couldn't accommodate a lazy susan or pull-out) but I forgot when we changed things around and decided that a 30'' range would be better than a 36'' one in this space that we now might be able to do more with that corner. I love the convenience of just having to open a drawer to grab a pot, but if we can really capture a significant chunk of new space, that would be great. I'm going to take @hollysprings advice from another thread and mock up some drawers to see what will really fit in them and see how much the extra space is needed. Thanks for the reminder to do this. @localeater - I purposefully didn't include any seating inside the U as I think I sit enough during the day and need to force myself to do more standing! ;) I love the idea of a round table. We've just been using the table we already have in the design (which has a leaf, so it can seat 8, 10 if we squeeze) but a round/oval table with a leaf would give us some more inches where we need them. I'm off to hunt for round tables so I can add them to the layout and see what that looks like! And great idea about swagging the light. In our current rental, when we extend the table, it's only possible to do so by moving it away from the center of the ceiling fixture, which drives me a bit batty. So I'm into a creative idea for being able to position the table in a way that allows for maximum traffic flow for everyday, while being able to move it for entertaining (when people expect to squeeze a bit anyway). Thank you all again for replying! It's really helpful to hear your ideas and think about my reaction to them, in terms of clarifying the priorities and concessions I'm willing to make.
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Would you please review kitchen floorplan? 1880s house
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Comments (21)
Nothing like getting construction estimates to clarify the thinking. I'm in New England so the prices are high. So back to the drawing board. We are now trying to see if we can get much of what we want with the current space we have. So if you look at the architectural drawings, there will be no bumpout of the eating area and the door will not move. We would like: 1) amazing light (hence all the windows)--they are the main driver of the renovation 2) workable nice kitchen for people who cook 3) defined eating area. We are down to 2-3 ideas and I would love your thoughts and input. As mentioned before the footprint of the kitchen is 11'10" x 18". There is also a separate butler's pantry which stays in place and will continue to house: the refrigerator, the dishwasher, a full sized sink and the dishes, glasses, cutlery as this space works perfectly for us. The main kitchen is meant to be a light space with a full sized sink, range, good counter space and reasonable storage. Eating area will contain a banquette. We played around with a 3 sided banquette but I think it will be too claustrophobic with our current space so we have 2 remaining options which I sketched out in the attached drawings. OPTION 1: we turn a current window into a door in the middle of the kitchen to separate the cooking half of the kitchen from the eating half of the kitchen and (Bonus!) I get direct access to the garden, which I would love. Cons: we lose a bit of counter space and/or a bit of banquette length. In this version the kitchen run containing the range is about 7.5' long and the run of banquette along the back wall is 7'. OPTION 2: the door does not exist and the room is split into kitchen/eating areas that abut each other. This allows the kitchen counter to be a bit longer and the banquette to be longer, ie each could be 9' or any reasonable division of 18' into two parts. My concerns with this plan is that it runs together and of course, I don't get the garden access. Husband likes this one as he does not understand for garden access.
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Comments (35)
Umm, sojay, I just needed to clarify my previous post coz I re-read it in the course of re-inspecting your gorgeous xformation. When I spoke of necessity/shabbiness being the mom to invention, I actually meant that whereas most other remodels are inspired by the fact that the original is shoddy, shabby or otherwise dodgy, your original space was not any of those. That makes the vision you had that much more impressive. Upon reviewing my post it seemed even to myself like I was saying that your original was shabby and I was quite horrified - not only to have said such a thing but also because it would have been patently untrue. Anyhow, I was just showing off your work to some friends.
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Initial Draft Plans for an Urban House - Sugggestions?
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Comments (29)
I agree with your architect. The difference between 1-2 feet is minimal in the cost for what it is. Better to have that extra little bit. After consultation with the users of the two bedrooms (hubby as an informal office for him), they decided to stay with the jack and jill bathroom. Of course we have to keep all happy so understand your plight. Can you make the entry area into bedroom 1 into a window seat nook so it at least has a purpose? One other thought. Who will be using bedroom 1? I ask because if you keep the idea I had, you could add a door to the bathroom from bedroom 1 so one door would be from the hallway and one from the bedroom which would afford the privacy the person needs. I like your design better, except that might have been an issue with one of the windows. No issue with the windows because it could be designed so the window is between the two vanities. I was originally thinking of doing something like that in my bathroom, but didn't want the extra windows because the view was facing west.
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User
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you! We really love it, especially as the before was barely functional, dark and generally depressing. And because the house had been vacant for a long time we found all kinds of little critters when we pulled up the cabinets. GROSS. I wanted something that would speak to the vernacular of the house. I interviewed several designers who wanted to go a lot more modern and was not into it. So I drew up a sketch, decided on colors and shopped it until I found someone who understood what I wanted.
PRO
EBL Interiors
5 years ago
A drastic difference! Nicely done. Do you have any issues with where the refrigerator is placed? I am wondering if it is an inconvenience to be away from the cook top and working areas. In the end, as long as it works for you that is all that matters!
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
5 years ago
I wanted something that would speak to the vernacular of the house.

You nailed it.
User thanked Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
User
Original Author
5 years ago
We kept the refrigerator where it was and just built around it. The fridge was new and the only appliance in the room we bothered to keep-- partially because of the size of the fridge and the doorways, which we discovered were maddeningly narrow for corner cabinets to get through. Neither my husband or I cook much but we do like hanging out in the kitchen drinking wine :) So I don't think we have given it any thought.
User
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks @Rita. I love old houses. I don't mind doing updates but I always want the house to tell me what it wants.
badgergal
5 years ago
Beautiful. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
User thanked badgergal
jay06
5 years ago
Your kitchen is beautiful. In the second "before" picture, could you tell me what the arched cabinet-like doors were for? An old pantry, maybe? I love the way it looks, but I'm sure trying to save it would have meant losing a lot of necessary new cabinet and counter space.
User thanked jay06
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Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
@Jay I KNOW! Oh my goodness did I agonize over that. It is an old hearth that was made into a pantry. I kept trying to come up with a way to keep it but due to the placement on the windows and doors on each wall, there just wasn't anything that was practical. I do feel badly that we couldn't incorporate it somehow. That is my one regret with this remodel.
gthigpen
5 years ago
Gorgeous!
User thanked gthigpen
jay06
5 years ago
@ls1114, I'm sure it was tough to say goodbye to it--a tough but necessary decision! If you can crop/isolate it from this pic or another you might have of it, it would be cute to put it in a frame for display somewhere to showcase a part of the kitchen's history. You did a great job!
User
Original Author
5 years ago
That is a great idea. Our house was originally open to the house next door-- one side was built for a local merchant and the other as a wedding gift for his daughter. If you look at the back yard, you can see there is a shared hearth/big double chimney in what would have been the kitchen of both places. Its a strange set up as there are two distinct houses, both with their own entry staircases and servants stairs that go into the kitchen, though those are mirror images of one another. I think the kitchens must have been shared but the rest of the house was probably separate.
maran123
5 years ago
Beautiful transformation!
Oliviag
5 years ago
You did a fantastic job. wow. just, wow!
ptreckel
5 years ago
Stunning! And I deeply respect your desire to maintain the historical character of your home. Bravo!
antmaril
5 years ago
GORGEOUS!
jhmarie
5 years ago
I am saving this one for when someone post for ideas for a kitchen in a very old home that is functional, but also will blend with the feel of the home. Great job!
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User
Original Author
5 years ago
Aw thanks guys! I'm flattered.
mainenell
5 years ago
Very well done.
User thanked mainenell
PRO
Ancient Stone
5 years ago
Stunning! Fantastic job :)
User thanked Ancient Stone
blondelle
5 years ago
Beautiful kitchen. So light and bright. Now you need to cook more :-). Love the blue grey backsplash tile. Would you mind sharing the details?
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Mona
5 years ago
Wow I love this kitchen. I'm partial to smaller space (less to clean) and I love that window seat you added in there. It looks like you completely shifted the layout. Did that involving moving a lot of plumbing and electric? I can imagine that may get complicated in an older home.
User
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
@Mona, it wasn't too bad. We did shift the gas lines and plumbing but because the room is not that big, it didn't create too much chaos. Leaving the hardwood floor helped. Our biggest issue was awkward ducts and a big column-- you can see them on either side of the stove. The duct is L shaped with the short arm on the top. My installer cut the cabinet to fit around it so we wouldn't have an extremely costly re-ducting. I had to fight with the designer to take the backsplash up to the ceiling and do the open shelves. She didn't think it would work. I was adamant because I wanted those weird columns to look intentional. In the end, she told me I was right :) We don't use the very upper part of the cabinets for much anyway so it was not a big deal to lose one section. We did need to upgrade the electrical for building codes, but that ended up not being the hassle I thought it would be.
User
Original Author
5 years ago
@blondelle-- Sure I can share details. I will have to pull them out of email. The only thing I can remember off the top of my head is that the walls are BM Oxford White. But I will be happy to edit this post with the other items. The chandelier was a Houzz purchase!
l pinkmountain
5 years ago
LS that is a FANTASTIC job! The remodel totally honors the vibe of the house, even that old hearth/pantry. Since it was an add-on anyway, I would not sweat losing it. Your "new" kitchen looks so beautiful and yet totally echoes the time period of the house! Your designer was brilliant.
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Mona
5 years ago
I think the way you worked with the ductwork is great!! It looks like it's intentionally there as a cubby for the cooktop and hood! Very nicely done. I'm glad you stuck to your guns.
User thanked Mona
Janet
5 years ago
So nice!!
User thanked Janet
tuckerdc
5 years ago
Light, bright and SO impressive! Love the stacked shelves above the wine credenza....AND the to-the-ceiling tile! Give yourself a pat on the back - it's great!
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User
Original Author
5 years ago
Okay here are some details-- though it says Baltimore on the location for some reason, we aren't in Baltimore...

Design services- Mid Atlantic Tile, Kitchen and Bath (www.mid-atlantictile.com)

Construction- Chris Bowers (he is fantastic!)

Paint- Benjamin Moore Oxford White on walls

Cabinets- Starmark

Counters- Zodiaq Quartz in Stratus White

Backsplash- I can't remember the maker but the color was called Periwinkle (subway tile)

Faucet- Sonoma Widespread by Signature Hardware

Appliances- Bray and Scarff

Island legs- Custom by Antique Reproductions in Longwood Fl (on etsy.com)

Open shelves- Handmade by Home Springs Decor (etsy.com)

Chandelier over island: https://www.houzz.com/products/ada-5-light-crystal-chandelier-prvw-vr~78199318?lid=61122645 (Looks perfect with round bulbs)

Pendant light over window seat- vintage

Valances- Custom by Supplier of Dreams on etsy.com

Stools- Craigslist, painted in Valspar paint

Stained glass window, yellow accent chair, yellow vintage dishes- Emporium Antiques of Frederick, MD
PRO
Norwood Architects
5 years ago
This is probably not what the original 1880's kitchen looked like but it is what you can romantically imagine an 1880's kitchen would look like. Love the character, the wood floors and the gray subway tile. Very nice job!
User thanked Norwood Architects
User
Original Author
5 years ago
@Norwood...yes that is it exactly.. Years ago I lived in a rental house in New Orleans with the original kitchen from 1893. Though I thought it was very cool it was not a practical kitchen. There has been some modern appliances plunked into the space in a very artless way and I used to dream up ideas about how to bring it back to life. So that was the idea here...to give it some original flavor of the era but make it work for our modern needs.
Christina Callaway
5 years ago
It's perfect! I especially love how bright and cheery it is.
bpath
5 years ago
That is just lovely, it's neutral but bright, and you can bring in any color you want as your "likes" change. Great way to handle the columns!

What did you on the wall where the range used to be? Did you leave it open? Or is it a "drop zone" since the door is right there?
User
Original Author
5 years ago
Funny you should ask. It was originally slated for a big iron antique bakers rack but when the island was turned and the footprint made bigger there wasn't enough room for you to walk past it comfortably. So the baker's rack is.a very fancy and pricey addition to my patio and the wall just has a big framed picture/long open shelf for plants these days.
bpath
5 years ago
That sounds just right, as the rest of your kitchen is. Enjoy the wine!
PRO
Stecki Construction
5 years ago
What a beautiful kitchen! Bright, clean, and inviting! Would love to have a kitchen like yours! Enjoy!
dyliane
5 years ago
gorgeous
teaka123
5 years ago
Great job! Your kitchen has personality!
PRO
User
5 years ago
Absolutely over the top
anomoley
5 years ago
LOVE this, absolutely stunning in every way!
PRO
Lion Windows and Doors
5 years ago
Gorgeous work!
PRO
OTM Designs & Remodeling Inc.
5 years ago
Great transformation!
PRO
KT tile
5 years ago
Looks awesome! I like the pop of yellow accent color.

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