Kitchen of the Week: Family-Friendly Vintage Industrial Style

“After” photos by A.F. Wright Photography

Kitchen at a Glance
Who uses it: A family of four
Location: Washington, D.C.
Size: 247 square feet (23 square meters); 11½ by 21½ feet
Architect: Jonathan Kuhn

The couple bought this home so their two kids and dog would have a backyard to enjoy. They planned and completed a renovation and addition that would provide enough space for their growing family before they moved in. “These clients understood their style and were very involved in the selections,” Kuhn says. They used Houzz ideabooks for inspiration and ideas when planning their remodel.

Here’s how the new two-story addition looks from the backyard. The kitchen is on the right and is open to a new family room on the left, and a new master suite occupies the second floor. Sliding glass doors and lots of windows fill the space with light.

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Before: This photo doesn’t match up with any of the “after” photos because the new kitchen is in the addition. But it does illustrate the state of the existing kitchen: cramped and showing extensive signs of wear and tear.

After: The new kitchen is bright and light and showcases the homeowners’ eclectic style. “Their style is homey but not traditional. They like an eclectic mix of things,” Kuhn says. “Nothing is too precious.

He anchored the space with an island that seats the whole family. Bold blue on the base brings in playful color, and a butcher block waterfall counter warms the room. “These details make the island look like a piece of furniture,” Kuhn says. Because the couple both like to cook, a second sink in the island helps them work well in here together. The faucet finish is oil-rubbed bronze.

Vintage-looking counter stools add industrial style. Other vintage industrial accents include the black steel library ladder rod, small subway tiles with gray grout, stainless steel counters around the perimeter, bin pulls and Edison lightbulbs.

The architect placed the fridge, ovens and lots of storage along the wall on the left. Putting the wall appliances on this side provided a nicer view from the family room.

Tip: Adding a second sink in the island is also handy for entertaining. Fill it with ice to keep drinks chilled.

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The eat-in nook enjoys views of the backyard and lots of natural light. Kuhn subtly framed it with a slightly dropped ceiling and a wall that bookends the cabinetry. This makes it cozy. “The way the windows surround this area really cradles it,” he says.

The nook is a great place for the kids to do crafts and homework. And their parents can keep an eye on them while working in the kitchen.

The area between the top of the upper cabinets and the 10-foot ceilings could have become a dust collector. Rather than leaving it to the dust bunnies or adding a bulkhead, Kuhn added a row of cabinets with glass doors. The blue paint inside matches the island’s base and gives the homeowners a great place to display favorite things.

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The library ladder they use to reach the high cabinets adds an industrial element to the family room wall. “It works like an art piece in here,” Kuhn says.

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Before: The kitchen was so cramped that the previous residents had placed the refrigerator in the dining room.

After: With plenty of room for the fridge in the new kitchen, the renovated dining room had space for a built-in wine bar, complete with a wine fridge.

“The homeowners appreciate found objects and pieces with sentimental value, and pieces that have a handmade look and that can show wear and tear,” Kuhn says. These things show off their style and personality. One such item is the vintage Coca-Cola cooler below the window. They composed the cubes on the wall in an artful way themselves. The hefty handmade table with benches keeps things casual and family-friendly.

The wine bar’s stainless steel cabinets with butcher block countertops and the industrial chandelier create cohesion between the dining room and kitchen. The owners used the stairway wall as a gallery for family photos. A new home office is on the other side of the French doors — the original kitchen used to occupy part of that office space.

The addition is on the right side of this floor plan.

“There can be a lot of activity in the kitchen and the family room and the parents can keep an eye on their kids. They are really happy in the space,” Kuhn says.

See more photos of this extensive renovation

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