1880s Kitchen Update With Vintage Charm
Jewel-tone greens, brass hardware and a custom built-in banquette transform this Victorian kitchen in Austin, Texas
The homeowners wanted brass hardware and painted cabinets, but they weren’t sure what color to choose. Worrel suggested a jewel-tone green for both the cabinets and the island, because “green is a traditional color that still feels fresh, and it pairs very well with brass.”
The design team covered the new cabinets and the island in Dollar Bill Green paint from Benjamin Moore. The mottled green ceramic tiles that cover the backsplash are handmade. “The tiles have little imperfections that keep them from looking too new,” Worrel says. The kitchen’s final touch of green comes from the countertops, which are a dark green soapstone that almost looks black.
The cabinets feature unlacquered brass hardware that naturally looks aged. For the upper cabinets, Worrel combined two layers of meshed brass to create custom inserts. “I was inspired by vintage pie cabinets that people used to cool food before refrigerators [existed],” she says.
Range: La Cornue
The design team covered the new cabinets and the island in Dollar Bill Green paint from Benjamin Moore. The mottled green ceramic tiles that cover the backsplash are handmade. “The tiles have little imperfections that keep them from looking too new,” Worrel says. The kitchen’s final touch of green comes from the countertops, which are a dark green soapstone that almost looks black.
The cabinets feature unlacquered brass hardware that naturally looks aged. For the upper cabinets, Worrel combined two layers of meshed brass to create custom inserts. “I was inspired by vintage pie cabinets that people used to cool food before refrigerators [existed],” she says.
Range: La Cornue
The husband loves to make craft cocktails for family and friends, so creating a spot for a little bar was important to him. Worrel added four rows of open shelves to house glassware and liquor bottles. Below the shelves, the soapstone countertop is an ideal place to prepare cocktails, and the built-in refrigerator below keeps mixers and other beverages cool and readily accessible.
Browse beverage refrigerators
Browse beverage refrigerators
Before. The former breakfast area had original wood floors, a bay of windows and taupe paint. The windows overlook a covered porch that leads out to the backyard.
After. The design team stained the original window trim and baseboards the same dark chocolate brown as the kitchen doors. Worrel had a custom banquette built in three pieces designed to perfectly hug the angled walls in front of the windows. A subtle animal-print indoor-outdoor upholstery from Perennials covers the banquette for user-friendly durability and a dash of pattern.
Just like the rest of the kitchen, the breakfast area is a stylish mix of vintage and contemporary design. The brass chandelier is original to the house and a great juxtaposition to the sleek white midcentury Saarinen table underneath.
Worrel chose four black Thonet bistro chairs as a bridge between the vintage chandelier and modern table. “The Thonet bistro chair was designed in the Victorian period, but it’s really one of the earliest pieces of modern design. It’s a classic look that always feels fresh and relevant,” she says.
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Just like the rest of the kitchen, the breakfast area is a stylish mix of vintage and contemporary design. The brass chandelier is original to the house and a great juxtaposition to the sleek white midcentury Saarinen table underneath.
Worrel chose four black Thonet bistro chairs as a bridge between the vintage chandelier and modern table. “The Thonet bistro chair was designed in the Victorian period, but it’s really one of the earliest pieces of modern design. It’s a classic look that always feels fresh and relevant,” she says.
More
Kitchen Trend: These Jewel-Toned Cabinets Really Shine
Photo Flip: 91 Kitchen Banquettes to Start Your Morning Right
Find kitchen designers
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young family with a deep appreciation for vintage design
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: About 300 square feet (28 square meters)
Designer: Amity Worrel & Co.
Preserving and restoring many of the architectural features of their 1880s Victorian house was a top priority for these Austin, Texas, homeowners. In particular, adding contemporary amenities to their kitchen without losing its historic charm was key. “It was a true labor of love, and their commitment to getting the details right was admirable,” designer Amity Worrel says. “We rehabilitated doors and windows wherever we could. Every finish was made with consideration of wanting a home that would feel historic with integrity, yet would also function for the family.”
The design team stained the original doors and baseboards a dark chocolate brown, allowing them to pop against the newly painted crisp white walls. Because the homeowners have young children who might track dirt and mud into the kitchen, they requested new tiled floors to replace the original wood. Worrel chose handmade hexagonal terra-cotta tiles that provide durability and a classic look.
Floor tile: Architerra Showroom; light fixture: Endless, Roll & Hill; wall clock: family heirloom