Kitchen of the Week: Wood and Black Elegance in a 1920s Colonial
A couple gain an open and airy kitchen with two-tone cabinets, a large island and a striking stone-look backsplash
This Minnesota couple loved the charm and location of their 1920s Colonial Revival in South Minneapolis but not its cramped, choppy layout. Narrow halls and an 80-square-foot U-shaped kitchen left little room to cook or entertain.
Instead of moving, they turned to design-build firm Bluestem Remodeling to reimagine the home. A large three-level addition opened up the back of the house, making space for a bright 225-square-foot kitchen with a roomy island, two-tone wood-and-black cabinetry and sleek pro-style appliances. A dramatic stone-look porcelain backsplash and white oak flooring complete the warm and elegant update.
Instead of moving, they turned to design-build firm Bluestem Remodeling to reimagine the home. A large three-level addition opened up the back of the house, making space for a bright 225-square-foot kitchen with a roomy island, two-tone wood-and-black cabinetry and sleek pro-style appliances. A dramatic stone-look porcelain backsplash and white oak flooring complete the warm and elegant update.
The nearly 3-by-9-foot island anchors the kitchen with a black base and leathered Black Mist granite top. Midcentury-inspired walnut stools wrap around one end, encouraging connection. “One of the core values for these clients was wanting a kitchen where they could gather with a small group of friends,” Ferraro-Hauck says. “Having the seating wrap around one end feels more intimate.”
Two black metal dome pendant lights with gold interiors cast a soft glow over the island, while dimmable LED recessed fixtures offer flexible overall lighting.
Pendant lights: Janie collection, Possini Euro Design; stools: Sede counter stool in walnut and Miller Gray, Article
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Two black metal dome pendant lights with gold interiors cast a soft glow over the island, while dimmable LED recessed fixtures offer flexible overall lighting.
Pendant lights: Janie collection, Possini Euro Design; stools: Sede counter stool in walnut and Miller Gray, Article
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
A freestanding white-and-gold pro-style dual-fuel range has seven sealed burners, continuous grates and both a large main oven and a smaller secondary oven. “Being able to host was very important to them,” Ferraro-Hauck says. “The range was one of the first things that came into the design and it helped drive some of the other selections.”
A custom black hood with a stainless steel insert provides strong, quiet ventilation and LED lighting. “It’s such a classic style of hood,” Ferraro-Hauck says. “I like that it’s detailed enough so it doesn’t feel like it’s looming over the kitchen.” Black Mist granite countertops frame the cooking zone.
The backsplash of stone-look porcelain slabs is a streamlined focal point. “We wanted something that would be very clean and not introduce a lot of busyness that you would find with tile,” Ferraro-Hauck says. “We wanted it to go all the way to the ceiling to anchor that whole wall.”
A recessed tower cabinet on the counter to the right of the range keeps spices and other cooking essentials close at hand. To the right of that is an arched entry into the butler’s pantry, which connects to the dining room.
Backsplash: Calacatta Topaz, Panoramic Porcelain Surfaces, Daltile; range: ILVE; sconces: Owen adjustable two-arm wall light in satin brass, Savoy House
Before and After: 4 Revamped Kitchens in 150 to 250 Square Feet
A custom black hood with a stainless steel insert provides strong, quiet ventilation and LED lighting. “It’s such a classic style of hood,” Ferraro-Hauck says. “I like that it’s detailed enough so it doesn’t feel like it’s looming over the kitchen.” Black Mist granite countertops frame the cooking zone.
The backsplash of stone-look porcelain slabs is a streamlined focal point. “We wanted something that would be very clean and not introduce a lot of busyness that you would find with tile,” Ferraro-Hauck says. “We wanted it to go all the way to the ceiling to anchor that whole wall.”
A recessed tower cabinet on the counter to the right of the range keeps spices and other cooking essentials close at hand. To the right of that is an arched entry into the butler’s pantry, which connects to the dining room.
Backsplash: Calacatta Topaz, Panoramic Porcelain Surfaces, Daltile; range: ILVE; sconces: Owen adjustable two-arm wall light in satin brass, Savoy House
Before and After: 4 Revamped Kitchens in 150 to 250 Square Feet
In the island, a 33-inch undermount granite-composite, single-basin sink includes a basin rack, basket strainer and cutting board. A pro-style spring faucet in a brushed gold finish coordinates with the cabinet hardware and lighting. A paneled dishwasher sits to the left of the sink; a pullout for trash and recycling is located to the right.
Sink: Ruvati; faucet: Artec in brushed gold, Kraus
Know the 3 Zones of Kitchen Storage
Sink: Ruvati; faucet: Artec in brushed gold, Kraus
Know the 3 Zones of Kitchen Storage
A 36-inch panel-ready French door refrigerator anchors the highly organized pantry wall. To its left, a tall pantry cabinet provides generous storage. “Inside that cabinet there are shelves and rollouts,” Ferraro-Hauck says. “On that wall we were striving for a balance on things you want behind doors and things you want to see.”
25 Kitchen Storage Features Pros Swear By
25 Kitchen Storage Features Pros Swear By
An integrated cabinet with black interior and exterior and clear glass doors provides space for collectibles and other items. “The clients wanted there to be some display space in the kitchen,” Ferraro-Hauck says. “In a kitchen, it’s always about finding a balance. This allows them to have a curated space for items they want to see.”
Below the display are additional drawers and cabinets. “By using that wall effectively, we were also able to create a more open space in the center of the kitchen,” Ferraro-Hauck says.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Below the display are additional drawers and cabinets. “By using that wall effectively, we were also able to create a more open space in the center of the kitchen,” Ferraro-Hauck says.
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
This view looks toward the back entrance of the home from the garage, where the homeowners have a convenient spot to drop coats and shoes. They plan to expand the area into a fully finished mudroom with a bench and hooks in the future.
“The kitchen gives this home just enough breathing room so you can have guests and have multiple activities going on and people don’t feel on top of each other,” Ferraro-Hauck says. “This addition has had such an impact in creating that feeling where everyone can find their own space.”
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“The kitchen gives this home just enough breathing room so you can have guests and have multiple activities going on and people don’t feel on top of each other,” Ferraro-Hauck says. “This addition has had such an impact in creating that feeling where everyone can find their own space.”
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: South Minneapolis, Minnesota
Size: 225 square feet (21 square meters)
Design-build firm: Bluestem Remodeling
The kitchen features custom Shaker-style cabinets in a mix of black and wood units. Polished gold-tone knobs and pulls add refined accents. “The clients were really interested in not having a monolithic look with their cabinetry,” says Mark Ferraro-Hauck, director of design at Bluestem Remodeling. “I love the repeated black throughout the room, but it’s not a black kitchen.”
Wide-plank white oak flooring has a special sealer that preserves its natural, unfinished appearance. “It integrates really well with the rest of the house, giving it a consistent flow,” Ferraro-Hauck says. “We didn’t want the kitchen to feel completely separate from the rest of the house.”
A large sliding glass door opens the kitchen to the patio and backyard. “Their backyard is their summer living room,” Ferraro-Hauck says. A double-hung window on the same wall adds another source of daylight and fresh air.
Custom cabinetry: Sean’s Cabinetry
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