Updated kitchen in an old house needs further updating! ;)

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hi everyone! I just purchased my first home, and I am so excited. Some context first - the original part of the house is circa 1750, built of stone, and was used as a coopers shop. There have been several additions since then, including the kitchen. The style was somewhat generously described as colonial (it's more vernacular.) There is also a barn visible from the kitchen window. I love the original, older parts of the house, and these are what pulled at my heart strings. The kitchen is fine. I can't justify replacing something as functional and well-maintained. If I was designing a kitchen from scratch, I'd love soapstone counters and a mix of wood and painted cabinetry that is more like furniture, but another time.. :) Also, these pictures are from the listing and the furniture is not mine. I move in mid-month, but lately all I can do to stay sane during this time inside is think about ways to design the home.

Here are some things I'd like to change:

The backsplash - The idea was surely to coordinate the tile with the original exposed stone, but the tile is cooler and more blue. I think this is more apparent in the second picture. Also, I don't like the pattern. I have looked through pictures exhaustively trying to find something that works, but I realize now I need help figuring out what exactly that is. I thought of using something simple like bead board, but then read that food becomes caked in the grooves.

The hood - I don't care for how it is staggered with the cabinets. Also, do you feel like the matchy-matchiness of the cabinets ought to be broken up? I have considered replacement with everything from plaster to black stove pipe.

The pendant lights - is the one over the island Tuscan-style? This might be difficult to replace as the shift in height to the ceiling happens over the island, making placing three independently strung lights tricky. I'm not sure what can be done but I don't care for unit. Nor do I care for the unit over the kitchen table. I'd love to get something with genuine patina, but I haven't been able to find anything yet.

I'm also open to other ideas for items not mentioned above, but again, I'm not taking her down to studs.

Thank you!

Featured Answer

PRO

Massey Interiors

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

That's a lot of wood but a beautiful kitchen, you can tell just from the pictures that it is good quality! I would definitely paint the island, black or a dark green like BM Hunter Green or even Salamander. Soapstone would be gorgeous, but I would do a 2.5" edge. That room is so heavy that the counter looks like it could just float away, it needs more weight. Then I would change out the backsplash to a dark green tile, Like this tile from Fireclay or this tile by Bedrosians.

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Comments (11)

porkchop_mxk3 z5b_MI
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I am not seeing what you're seeing -- right now I'm too focused on my drooling over your kitchen...
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
IMO the backsplash is not working at all. I see no reason to not have soapstone at some time and I think those cabinets lend themselves very much to the look you want maybe start with painting the island cabinets a plae green .I would look for copper light fixtures and if you are lucky to find them not laquered they will patina over time or a copper hood .
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auntthelma
5 years ago
Your kitchen is beautiful! I would buy that house in a heartbeat.
Jody
5 years ago
That kitchen is beautiful as it is! I wouldn’t change anything.
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PRO
Sabrina Alfin Interiors
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I don't have a problem with the backsplash. The only thing I might suggest is to paint the island a contrast color. There's a lot of wood going on there and I think you need something that visually breaks it up. I also like the idea of a butcher block top on the island. Here are a couple of photos with wood perimeter cabinets and a painted island:

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West Chester Kitchen featuring Dura Supreme Craftsman Panel Door · More Info
Monique Barrow
5 years ago
Wow! What a lovely kitchen you have! Congrats on your new home!

To answer your questions:

The current backsplash is rather busy. I would replace it by simple, plain white tiles. There's already much movement in the wood of your cabinets and floors.

About the hood: remove the upper part and put back the crown molding( easier said than done)

Pendant lights: also keep them simple, plain white, maybe something like the old school lamps.

White ( or off-white) furniture

Man, do I love this kitchen! I'm drooling too...
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misecretary
5 years ago
Great Kitchen!!

You can go ahead and call me crazy but I think if you removed the wood cladding from the refrigerator, it would make a world of difference.
jhmarie
5 years ago
Lovely kitchen:) If this was my space I would find the backsplash a bit busy. However, backsplash is best done after counters so if you are planing to do the counters down the road then just wait, or have the backsplash tile removed and the drywall repaired and painted till you do counters. You do not need to change out your counters, but if you think you will, wait on the splash. If you remove the tile and just repair the drywall, you may need to put a protective area behind the stovetop to protect the wall and keep it fire safe. I also like bead board. I rarely have needed to clean my backsplash - maybe I'm just not that messy but I don't see bead board as a problem to keep clean. You would need to still protect the area behind the stovetop - stainless panel or possibly heat safe glass.
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remodeling1840
5 years ago
I would live in the house for six months to a year before you spend any money on the kitchen. During that time make notes of the things you like and ideas for change. It would be a waste of money to change out the backsplash, then decide you want to change the range hood or the counters. Get your idea book crammed with pictures and then look at them for the theme that attracted you to them. Years ago I had lots of pictures marked in all my magazines (remember magazines?). When I looked at the collection, I realized the common theme was blue. That told me the direction to take in my new house. Your kitchen is beautiful and functional for now. Walk around with your cup of coffee early in the morning to discover what you like about it. Sip your glass of wine in the evening while you contemplate the changes that will bring you the most happiness for the money.
bpath
5 years ago
I wonder what it would look like without (gasp) a backsplash at all? Just painted the same as the walls? Let the beautiful cabinets star.