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Kitchen of the Week: Vintage Elegance, Pocket Size
A small 1920s kitchen gets a refined makeover but stays true to its humble size
This sweet and elegant kitchen remodel in Piedmont, California, was inspired by a photo on the cover of a kitchen design book. When architect Robert Kelly of Kelly and Ambramson Architects saw the photo, he knew he wanted the same look for his small kitchen.
The kitchen is only 145 square feet, but it has everything Kelly needs. "This space is meant to be on the humble side. Ninety-five percent of us live in small kitchens, and this kitchen has everything I need and want," he says. "Almost all magazine kitchens are large kitchens, but they really aren't what most of us have room for or need."
The kitchen is only 145 square feet, but it has everything Kelly needs. "This space is meant to be on the humble side. Ninety-five percent of us live in small kitchens, and this kitchen has everything I need and want," he says. "Almost all magazine kitchens are large kitchens, but they really aren't what most of us have room for or need."
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by robert kelly
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| Preserving the original style of the 1920s kitchen was important to Kelly. Each appliance and finish complements the entire house. The vintage stove, given to him by a friend who didn't want it anymore, is a huge part of the look. "It works incredibly well and adds character," Kelly says. |
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| Revamping the circulation and space in the kitchen was the biggest challenge in this remodel and cost the most. "Most 1920s homes have multiple sources of entry and exiting from the room, which kills most of the counter space," says Kelly. "This project increased the efficiency of the space by rearranging the traffic flow to one side of the room, leaving more space for cabinets and counters." Kelly had to relocate the interior stairs, exterior stairs and windows, which ended up being much more work than he initially imagined. He also raised the ceiling from 8 feet, 4 inches to 9 feet. "This made a huge difference in the scale of the space," he says. Cabinetry: custom by Mark Johnson, San Leandro, California; refrigerator: Amana |
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The oversize brackets on either side of the stove are one of Kelly's favorite parts about this kitchen. Since he wanted the hood to stay in line with the rest of the style, Kelly built it himself. Using a drywall box around a hood insert, he accented it with molding and trim to create a simple but elegant piece.
Kelly tore up the linoleum, revealing beautifully worn wood underneath, which he kept.
Kelly tore up the linoleum, revealing beautifully worn wood underneath, which he kept.
by robert kelly
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Kelly opted for a single wide porcelain sink from Kohler. The countertops are 1â…›-inch thick Carrara marble with a honed finish. The wall-mounted kitchen faucet was chosen for its functionality and its utilitarian look.
Kelly integrated glass cabinetry into the rest of his custom cabinets, even though he knew they wouldn't be as functional as solid doors. "Glass doors provide a sense of relief as opposed to a solid mass," says Kelly. "We like to display our colorful ceramic bowls and other items in our glass cabinets."
Sink: Kohler; faucet: Chicago
Kelly integrated glass cabinetry into the rest of his custom cabinets, even though he knew they wouldn't be as functional as solid doors. "Glass doors provide a sense of relief as opposed to a solid mass," says Kelly. "We like to display our colorful ceramic bowls and other items in our glass cabinets."
Sink: Kohler; faucet: Chicago
by robert kelly
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The narrow frame of the exterior redwood door, from Ohmega Salvage, gives it an old-fashioned look. To meet code, Kelly replaced the original wavy glass with wavy tempered glass from Bendheim. The windows came from a house down the street whose owners were throwing them away.
More Kitchens of the Week:
Bright and Modern in 90 Square Feet
Vintage-Inspired Work of Love
Mother-Daughter Budget Remodel
More Kitchens of the Week:
Bright and Modern in 90 Square Feet
Vintage-Inspired Work of Love
Mother-Daughter Budget Remodel
Ideabook updated on March 7, 2012.
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Most our condo kitchen projects are 64sf-100sf. All are considered pretty small, especially when trying to design them more efficiently than the original builder did in the 80's.
Our last kitchen was a 6'x8' footprint, that's right only 48sf, with a concrete wall on one side and a small bathroom on the other. No room to steal from adjacent areas. The design process and sourcing the right appliances took almost as long as the actual construction! But, it came out beautiful and functional and the client LOVES IT!