A Flooded Kitchen Gets a Fresh Start

If you have been following us awhile, you probably know that one our biggest passions is mid-century modern design. We do however love and appreciate different styles of architecture, and in particular, we have a soft spot for homes built in the early 1900s, since our first home together (which was our first big DIY project as a couple) was a four-square built in 1907 in Brighton, MA. Will have to dig up a photo sometime and post it, (but that would require taking a photo of a photo... since it was pre-iPhone and digital media days....)

Anyway, here in Northern California, we are lucky to have many gorgeous original Craftsman homes in picturesque neighborhoods, with their classic front porches and detailed woodwork, to neat floor plans, with little special nooks and built-in cabinets.

Last year, I was approached to help a homeowner re-envision her kitchen in her classic Berkeley 1907 built home. There had been a bad flood in the house a few years back and her kitchen took the brunt of the damage. 

It looked like this when I first visited.

BEFORE:

After working through tedious insurance claims and related items (headaches), plus living in a very limited capability kitchen, the homeowner was excited and ready to get started on the design and planning process. I was thrilled to be her partner in re-imagining the space and helping to bring a functioning kitchen back into her life. She has a background in fashion design, and it was really fun to work with her ideas and bring in her love for British-inspired design, which was perfect for this era home.

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

In the far corner, we created a built-in china hutch, utilizing Ikea and Semihandmade Doors, with brass hardware.

BEFORE: This was the view to the old laundry room:

Which we turned into a petite Butler's Pantry!

The Butler's Pantry features leather pulls from Rejuvenation.

We still wanted to keep the charm of original style materials, so we sourced this unlacquered brass gooseneck faucet, paired with a slightly modern take on a classic Farmhouse sink.

My client found these original brass taps all the way from the UK!

We included a bit of swankiness, with brass hardware and the integrated fridge. There is actually a fireplace on the other side, but the brick wasn't in great shape to be exposed, so we built in a new "old" brick wall with brick facing.

These pendants hail from the UK from the company Bert Frank. They can be moved up or down to adjust the light, balanced by a (very heavy!) solid brass weight.

New French Doors:

You can spy John in the reflection. I am so lucky to have an amazing photographer-husband-partner!

And for fun, one our two "helpers" on Photo Shoot day, taste testing the cookies for staging. 

Thanks to our amazing client C, for allowing the whole family to come see and photograph the finished space. We are thrilled that we could help you create a new kitchen space to enjoy. 

Sources:

Kitchen Cabinets: IKEA
Door Fronts: Semihandmade Doors
Blanco Cerana Farmhouse Fireclay Sink & Granite Undermount Sink: Build.com
Rohl Perrin High-Arc Bridge Kitchet Faucet: Build.com
Island Lighting: Revolve Rise & Fall Pendant, Bert Frank
Hardware: Top Knob, from Belmont Hardware
Butler's Pantry Leather Drawer Pulls: Rejuvenation
Appliances: Miele
Exterior Light: YLighting.com