Kitchen of the Week: An Elegant 18th-Century Remodel
A 1790 kitchen in New Jersey is remodeled with modern appliances, cabinetry and finishes while keeping historical character in mind
Working with a 222-year-old brick fireplace might be intimidating to some designers, but Harmony Cabinets and Construction embraced the challenge. This 1790 home in Moorestown, New Jersey, maintained many of its original features over the years, and keeping it true to the original time period was a priority. The heavy brick fireplace was outfitted for modern functionality with a stove and became the kitchen’s focal point. Classic cabinetry and finishes transformed the expansive space into an elegant and functional kitchen that would be stylish in any century.
The stunning brick stove surround is a remnant from the home's original kitchen, and was used as a focal point. A 48-inch Wolf range fit perfectly in the space, and Ingram had a custom hood made. Upper cabinetry was left off on both sides of the stove surround in favor of larger windows and wall sconces, which help make the heavy-looking fireplace seem more delicate and beautiful.
The rolling library ladder was custom designed for the kitchen, creating easy access to upper cabinetry while contributing to the kitchen's old-world charm. Once the clients decided on the 3-inch-thick cherry island countertop, the sapwood ladder seemed like a good way to tie the rest of the kitchen to the work and prep space.
Modern organizational tools fill every nook and cranny. Pullout baskets and a cabinet for hanging utensils are just a few of Ingram's favorite features. Because they were working with such a large space, Ingram focused on making each area function as a separate station and didn't worry too much about the traditional work triangle.
The home's original yellow pine wide plank flooring was refinished for this project. The window bench holds a subwoofer for a built-in sound system.
The base cabinets on the left and right of the fireplace were made 30 inches deep to be flush with the brick, which makes using the counter space a bit easier.
Sink: Shaws Original Farm Sink; prep sink: Kohler; faucets: Perrin & Roew; lighting: Horchow
Sink: Shaws Original Farm Sink; prep sink: Kohler; faucets: Perrin & Roew; lighting: Horchow
Backsplash: white subway tile; countertop: Carrara marble; island top: cherry