Green With Envy: A Historic Kitchen Renovation Before & After

When my clients moved into their historic home, the kitchen was one of the first projects on their list. They dreamed of a historic kitchen renovation that would keep the character of the house while solving its biggest problems—an awkward layout, dated finishes, and a cramped feel that didn’t suit their lifestyle. They wanted something bright, spacious, and functional, and I couldn’t wait to help them bring that vision to life.

Before: A Kitchen That Needed Breathing Room

The original kitchen and breakfast nook were divided by a wall that cut the space in half, making both rooms feel smaller than they were. The finishes were tired, the floors uneven, and the layout left little room for gathering. My clients knew they wanted an open space with a large center island, so the first step was rethinking the entire floor plan.

During: Tackling the Surprises

As with any historic home renovation, there were a few curveballs along the way:

The floors: Half of the room had a serious slope, which wasn’t going to work with a center island. We had to strip everything down to the joists and realign them before laying new oak to match as closely as possible to the original floors in the rest of the house.

The venting: The new gas range needed proper ventilation, but directly behind it ran upstairs plumbing that couldn’t be moved. With some creative problem-solving, we rerouted the vent to the exterior without compromising the design.

The chimney: Once the plaster came off, we discovered a large hole in the brick chimney that needed patching. Not unusual in older homes—but still an unexpected fix.

After: A Kitchen Worth Showing Off

Once the major issues were resolved, the transformation could really take shape. We:

• Removed all of the cabinets, countertops, and appliances.
• Removed the dividing wall and opened the space.
• Rewired and replumbed the entire kitchen.
• Installed new drywall, crown molding, and fresh paint.
• Laid new oak flooring to seamlessly blend with the rest of the home.
• Designed and installed custom cabinetry topped with beautiful quartz countertops.
• Finishing touches like the farmhouse sink, gold hardware, and brass faucet.

The finishing touch was the color scheme. Originally, my clients had something different in mind, but they decided on a soft green for the cabinetry—an absolutely perfect choice. Paired with a dark-stained island that grounds the space and highlights the refinished floors, the result is both timeless and unique.

A Historic Kitchen, Reimagined

This project was the perfect example of how thoughtful design and careful craftsmanship can breathe new life into a historic home. My clients now have a kitchen that compliments the historic house while offering all the modern functionality they need. And the soft green? Let’s just say it makes every guest a little green with envy.

---

Need Help Redesigning Your Kitchen?

If you’re inspired to finally tackle your old and dated kitchen, I’d love to help. Start with a 1:1 consultation or send me an email and we can get straight to work on a new floor plan. Click here to find out how.