We designed and built this new kitchen as part of a main floor renovation of this 1891 rowhouse. The kitchen and main floor open plan reflect the homeowner’s contemporary taste, but with a nod to the historic aspect of the home. The clients were especially delighted with our success in achieving a “light and airy” feel. The kitchen area is about 258 sq.ft.
The client wanted to open up the entire floor to increase the amount of natural light that flowed into the main floor of this rowhouse. He also wanted a visual connection from the front entry to the back door. The new kitchen reflects his contemporary style.
Creating a main floor that is completely open required:

• Sistering the joists in the ceiling with new LVLs in order to remove the center structural bearing wall and level the ceiling.
• Reframing around the stairway to remove some of the settlement and strengthen the floor structure.
• Removing all the interior walls
• Adding sound insulation in the floors
Moving the original kitchen from the back room to a central location in the floorplan allowed us to:
• Place all the storage and appliances on a party wall where no windows would be obscured.
• Increase the size of the kitchen and provide better flow for entertaining
• Increase natural light by doubling the size of the back window and installing two new windows. A new full-light rear door also allows natural light to flow into the space.
We used the same herringbone flooring throughout the entire first level. The white oak floor, stained white, is distinctive yet evokes the historic character and quality of the buildings in the neighborhood. We kept the historic trim in the front area, but simplified the trim in kitchen and dining rooms.