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Project Profile: New Kitchen, Old House

When a growing family moved into their mid-19th century four-square house, they quickly discovered that the boxy plan and small, dark kitchen would not meet their needs.  Elizabeth Herrmann architecture + design created a new kitchen and made other seemingly small changes that had a big and very positive impact on the way the family lives. 

  Kitchen before

The first thing to be done was to open the kitchen to the adjacent dining room by demolishing a shared wall between them.  The new overlap between rooms created clear views and made interaction between them possible.  This simple change also gave the house a more spacious feel-- not only by creating a bigger room, but by expanding outdoor views and allowing light from adjacent spaces to reach new areas.  A strategically placed south-facing French door leading to the screened porch brought in more light and turned the porch into an extension of the living spaces.

Next, the existing kitchen needed to expand to accommodate two cooks, bigger and more appliances and active kids.  Circulation within the kitchen and between spaces needed to be efficient, free of dead ends, and open enough to feel comfortable during gatherings.  With little room to spare, no "in-between" space could be single-purpose and devoted soley to getting from place to place.  Paths were lined with functional spaces such as cabinets and storage shelves.  Slightly wider areas were designed as hangout spots during family gatherings.  Every nook was put to good use.  A few well-placed new windows, white cabinets, and new lighting, both ambient and task-, turned a dark kitchen into a bright and spacious hub.  When old meets new, balance is required.  This renovation is a good example of how thoughtful design can allow a home to evolve to meet a modern family's needs while retaining the essential character of the existing, old house.

  Kitchen after renovation 

 

Builder: Scott Hammond, Clearwater Builders, South Burlington, VT

Cabinets: Neal Albert, Shelburne Fine Woodworking, Shelburne, VT