Ecofriendly designs don’t have to look flashy and new — sustainability is often better suited to homes which incorporate elements previously. The owner of the 1920s bungalow loved her residence’s personality but wished to include some sustainable materials in the new kitchen design.
Designer Cindy Black and Davenport Building Solutions appeared to the past for their design inspiration. Reclaimed wood attributes and classic light and hardware match perfectly with the bungalow’s original millwork, hardwood flooring and double-hung windows. The result feels fresh, reduced the structure’s carbon footprint and keeps the house’s historic character.
Kitchen at a Glance
Location: Old West Austin neighborhood of Austin, Texas
Size: 170 square feet, such as a butler’s pantry
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Three-inch-thick white cabinet boxes counter the reclaimed longleaf pine wood drawers. Open wall shelves made of salvaged pine beams sit new stainless steel brackets.
The mustard-yellow market on the left side of the port hood once comprised an ironing board in the first kitchen. The client loved the market’s history, so the team abandoned the paint vulnerable.
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Sipo mahogany remnants from a nearby woodshop compose the new counter tops. The L-shape counter separates the kitchen from the living area and produces a nice serving space.
Countertops: sipo mahogany, Devos Woodworking; cabinet boxes: FSC-certified GreenPly; drawer pulls: VintageSkye, Etsy; wall mounted shelf brackets: Knape & Vogt
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The buttercup-yellow refrigerator — a modern reproduction of a 1950s version — has been the beginning point for the kitchen layout. The owner fell in love with the mellow yellow color, so Black chose each the materials to work with its merry hue.
Thin pullouts for headphones and pantry things take advantage of extra space next to the refrigerator. The glass-paneled cabinets above are extra deep for larger, less-used dishes.
Refrigerator: Elmira 1950
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A small lounge at the front end of the kitchen has backyard accessibility and tons of windows that fill the kitchen with sunlight.
Range: Frigidaire; hood: Bosch with habit surround
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Black focused on picking items and finishes which would complement the kitchen’s feel, like the floor tile’s classic border that wraps around the kitchen.
Subway tile, floor tile Restoration Tile; pendants: Industrial Pendant, West Elm
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Swing-arm sconces above the shelves sense more period appropriate than recessed cans and serve both as decoration and task lighting.
Swing-arm lights: Reed Sconce, Rejuvenation; “Eat” sign: vintage
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The client didn’t need a dishwasher, so she chose a reclaimed sink with a built-in drainboard. In case she changes her mind, Black built in a 24-inch-wide cabinet to the left of the sink which can be swapped out for a dishwasher.
Faucet: Forte, Kohler; sink: antique
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The kitchen had a built in pantry between the kitchen and the dining area. The space is big enough for shelving and a soon-to-be-built breakfast nook. The convenient location means that it can double as a butler’s pantry during parties.