While the 1950s era metal cabinets in this home served well over the years, the homeowners decided it was time for a change. To bring the kitchen up to date, the walls were taken all the way down to the studs, and the room was rebuilt from the ground up with new cabinets, countertops, and appliances to give it a timeless, classic look that blends with the historic 1922 home.
Kitchen before renovation.
Renovation of the kitchen began with the removal of the old metal cabinets and stainless steel sink unit. The trim around the windows and doors was next to go, followed by the paneling and wallboard. Opening up the walls made it easy to update the wiring and plumbing.
Renovation in progress.
Once the drywall in the kitchen had been hung and finished, the new cabinets were installed. The classic white painted cabinets featured flat frame and panel doors and stylish nickel hardware. Dark granite countertops were chosen to contrast with the white cabinets.
To brighten up the room, recessed lighting was installed in the ceiling. New trim molding was custom made to match the original, with the existing doors and shutters from the old kitchen reused in the new. After the carpentry work was complete, the painters arrived to tackle the walls and trim.
The old stainless steel sink unit was given new life in the utility room, and a dividing wall—complete with pocket door—constructed to separate it from the rest of the house.
Rather than stripping and refinishing the existing wood floor, which had been buried under several layers of glued down vinyl flooring, new hardwood flooring was installed that matched the flooring in the rest of the house.
The new wood flooring came prefinished, which provided a more durable finish and allowed for faster installation. Ceramic tile was used for the floor in the utility room and back door area.
Mosaic tile backsplash in remodeled kitchen.
The last step in the historic kitchen renovation was installing a mosaic tile backsplash on the walls behind the kitchen counter. The completed kitchen combined the best of old and new to give the room a classic look that will be in style for years to come.
Other Tips from This Episode
Simple Solutions with Joe Truini:
Measuring and Mixing Liquids
Plastic milk jugs and disposable plastic cups are great for mixing up liquids to use in the shop or garden. To mark the containers for easy reference, pour in a predetermined amount of water from a measuring cup, and mark the level of the liquid on the container.
Thinking Green with Danny Lipford:
Radiant Heating
Radiant heating is one of the most comfortable, efficient, and greenest ways to heat your home. The system consists of hot water pumped though a network of small tubes that are installed under floors, in walls, or above ceilings. Radiant heating under floors works best, since the heat rises for even distribution and warms you feet, allowing you to set the thermostat 2-4 degrees lower. (Watch This Video)
