Living in an older home can be a curse and a blessing. While the charm and detail can’t be beat, the absence of modern conveniences can be frustrating. The new owners of this 1915 summer cottage on the Maine coast wanted the very best of the two worlds in their kitchen. They loved the workmanship and detailing of the original room, but they had additional storage and contemporary appliances.
Whitten Architects established a contemporary plan utilizing traditional materials, opening up the kitchen to the adjacent dining room and living rooms. A central island arouses the kitchen Valve and Valve, and a functioning classic stove was set up as homage to your kitchen’s original design.
Whitten Architects
The customers wanted to reestablish the kitchen to a more modern version of its prior glory, but the home’s former owners had sold the original Queen Atlantic cooker. The customers discovered a restored cooker at the Bryant Stove Shop, also Whitten Architects revived the brick back of the fireplace with neighborhood water-struck brick.
The cooker has been outfitted with contemporary propane burners. Along with all the brand new insulation on the outside walls, it keeps the kitchen nice and toasty during chilly Maine winters.
Whitten Architects
Working within an older framework presented its own challenges to the group. One of the most difficult parts of the remodel was pushing the timber outside wall out by 4 ft for additional room. Even though it’s a little awkward, the post at the conclusion of the island keeps the structure sturdy.
As it came to materials, the group was careful to aid the new blend seamlessly with the old. Pine cabinetry and granite countertops were awarded slight contemporary touches to assist them match with the contemporary stainless steel appliances.
Light fittings: Brass Light Gallery, Rejuvenation; range and oven: Dacor 36- inch; hood: Vent-A- Hood #PRH9-230
Whitten Architects
“When you have limited wall area with an open plan and tons of windows, you are likely to want to have a pantry,” says Whitten. “It’s a really reasonable way to receive a lot of storage in a limited place.” Since the spacious kitchen restricted the use of top cabinetry Whitten added a sizeable pantry for additional dish and dry goods storage.
Whitten Architects
Naturally finished fir was chosen for its beadboard walls, which gives the kitchen a rustic rather than cottage style. A painted nickel gap board ceiling and honed stone countertops pay tribute to the original kitchen style.
Sink: Kohler Whitehaven 36-inch porcelain Farmer Sink; fittings: Rohl; backsplash, countertop materials: Ivory Fantasy Granite, Morningstar Stone & Tile
Whitten Architects
A new entrance beside the stove opens the kitchen to the dining room, letting this central area to flow with the rest of the house. “We really appreciated mixing the new and old,” says Whitten. “This kitchen includes all the modern conveniences in a traditional space.”
Cabinets: Knickerbocker Woodworking; flooring: antique heart pine, Goodwin flooring
Contractor: Knickerbocker Group
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