A Functional Face-Lift for a Historic Craftsman Kitchen
An open layout creates better connectivity, while a mix of schoolhouse, farmhouse and Craftsman styles brings modern charm
This couple loves making daily meals together, but having a kitchen that was separate from living areas made it difficult for them to cook while keeping an eye on their two young kids. Working with architect Kim Grant, the homeowners created a new kitchen layout that’s more open to the living space, and introduced natural materials that dovetail nicely with the historic Craftsman home.
AFTER: Grant removed the doorway and pass-through to create a more open peninsula breakfast bar that allows the homeowners to see everything going on in the living room.
Grant designed the cove ceiling detail above the breakfast bar to mimic other cove ceiling details throughout the house. She then had the original solid white oak floors refinished and stained light gray, and feathered in new planks where the former wall was located.
The built-in Craftsman hutch holds china and vintage barware.
Wall and cabinet paint: Simply White OC-117, Benjamin Moore; counter stools: Target; gooseneck sink sconces: Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.
Grant designed the cove ceiling detail above the breakfast bar to mimic other cove ceiling details throughout the house. She then had the original solid white oak floors refinished and stained light gray, and feathered in new planks where the former wall was located.
The built-in Craftsman hutch holds china and vintage barware.
Wall and cabinet paint: Simply White OC-117, Benjamin Moore; counter stools: Target; gooseneck sink sconces: Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.
The homeowners wanted to keep the overall look of the kitchen fairly traditional but weren’t interested in limiting the style to strictly Craftsman. Mixing it up was more their speed, with touches of Craftsman, French farmhouse, contemporary and schoolhouse style.
They chose custom-made cabinets in an overlay door style, instead of a traditional inset style, to maximize storage space. The Shaker-style flat panel frame complements Craftsman construction, and the concealed hinges keep the look clean.
Two appliance garages, one of which houses a coffee station, flank the flower arrangement on the right.
The homeowners selected materials that will age and patinate gracefully with their home and growing kids. The marble and soapstone countertops will etch gently with use. The brass light fixtures and cabinet hardware are unlacquered, and will darken and soften with time. The backsplash subway tiles are made from red clay, and its craggy texture peeks through the white glaze, showing off pinholes and irregularities.
Backsplash tile: Grove Brickworks in Sugar White, 2 by 8 inches, Waterworks; main countertop: honed Carrara marble; island countertop: honed soapstone; back door paint: Onyx 2133-10, Benjamin Moore; drawer pulls: Mission in unlacquered brass, Rejuvenation Hardware; island pendant lights: Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.
Today’s Coffee Stations Have All Kinds of Perks
They chose custom-made cabinets in an overlay door style, instead of a traditional inset style, to maximize storage space. The Shaker-style flat panel frame complements Craftsman construction, and the concealed hinges keep the look clean.
Two appliance garages, one of which houses a coffee station, flank the flower arrangement on the right.
The homeowners selected materials that will age and patinate gracefully with their home and growing kids. The marble and soapstone countertops will etch gently with use. The brass light fixtures and cabinet hardware are unlacquered, and will darken and soften with time. The backsplash subway tiles are made from red clay, and its craggy texture peeks through the white glaze, showing off pinholes and irregularities.
Backsplash tile: Grove Brickworks in Sugar White, 2 by 8 inches, Waterworks; main countertop: honed Carrara marble; island countertop: honed soapstone; back door paint: Onyx 2133-10, Benjamin Moore; drawer pulls: Mission in unlacquered brass, Rejuvenation Hardware; island pendant lights: Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.
Today’s Coffee Stations Have All Kinds of Perks
A Lacanche stove provides double ovens in a 40-inch-wide space. While the French stove was a splurge, the homeowners were able to save by reusing the existing farm sink and refrigerator.
The open shelves are stained white oak.
Stove: Cluny 1000, Lacanche; sink (existing): Franke; faucet: Model 5600 in unlacquered brass, Waterstone Faucets; pot filler: Kingston Brass in polished brass; hood: Euro series, customized, Vent-A-Hood
The open shelves are stained white oak.
Stove: Cluny 1000, Lacanche; sink (existing): Franke; faucet: Model 5600 in unlacquered brass, Waterstone Faucets; pot filler: Kingston Brass in polished brass; hood: Euro series, customized, Vent-A-Hood
On the kitchen side of the breakfast bar, one drawer has USB ports to charge phones and iPads. Below, open shelving provides easy access to cookbooks and wine.
Contractor: DCC Custom Builders
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Contractor: DCC Custom Builders
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple in their early 40s in the information technology and medical sales fields, two kids under the age of 5, and during the renovation planning process, surprise news of a new baby on the way
Location: Dryden Historic District in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego
Size: 224 square feet (20.8 square meters); 14 by 16 feet
Year built: 1923; renovated in 2016
Designer: Kim Grant Design
BEFORE: The homeowners love wood, but they felt as though there was just too much of it. The unpainted wood cabinets and wood countertops made everything bleed together, suppressing the beauty of some of the other natural Craftsman architectural details in the home.