This 450-square-foot kitchen renovation revitalizes a mid-century home while preserving its original character. Designed within a limited budget and tight timeframe, the project enhances functionality by maximizing storage, refreshing worn finishes, and replacing outdated 50-year-old appliances.
The homeowners’ deep appreciation for the home’s original design and its era guided every decision. Maintaining a sense of mid-century authenticity was paramount. The metal cabinets, original to the house, were carefully restored, repainted and integrated into a bold new multi-color scheme; transforming what might have been replaced in most renovations into a defining feature that connects past and present.
At the heart of the renovation is an expanded island, crafted with custom cabinetry and wrapped in a striking black-and-white marbleized synthetic stone. This dramatic centerpiece enhances the visual appeal while providing additional workspace. A previously blank kitchen wall was reimagined as a full-height pantry that sits flush with the existing metal cabinets, significantly increasing storage without compromising the clean lines typical of mid-century design.
One of the project’s greatest challenges involved reconfiguring the space to accommodate modern ovens. The original brick oven niche could no longer fit contemporary models, prompting the team to re-envision the layout. An old cabinet, once housing an air-conditioning duct retrofitted in the late 1960s, was transformed to host the new 30” oven. A spiral duct was installed to improve air distribution and efficiency, allowing this update to integrate with the home’s open post-and-beam structure.
Overall, this renovation strikes a thoughtful balance between preservation and progress. It honors the home’s mid-century heritage while adapting it for modern living, ensuring the kitchen remains a functional, stylish and enduring centerpiece that reflects both the owners’ values and the home’s legacy.
architect • Place Architecture:Design.
contractor • Greenleaf Construction.
millwork • Cooper Custom Cabinets.
photography • Tom Holdsworth Photography.
