Added character

Introducing modern functionality to a traditional kitchen can often mean sacrificing some of its original charm. But that isn't always the case, as designer Debra de Lorenzo has shown with the remodeling of this 100-year-old farmhouse.

De Lorenzo says that although the location was good and the existing farmhouse had many attractive original features, it needed a lot of work before it could meet the owners' expectations.

"A more modern, open space was required for a combined kitchen and living area, which still had to reflect the character of the house. The owners wanted a wood-burning stove and an electric oven. They also requested plenty of storage space," she says.

To modernize the space, the designer added a kitchen island, to separate the working areas and provide a large and durable work surface.

"The island is next to an antique cooker, so it has a heat-resistant granite countertop," says De Lorenzo.

Introducing the island also allowed De Lorenzo to incorporate the owners' original tables and benches into the design.

"We used the owners' antique workbench as an extension of the kitchen counter, and to separate the dining area from the kitchen."

The result is an unfitted look which works well with the homeowners' own furniture, she says.

Natural stone tiles are used to complement the traditional look. De Lorenzo says the antique stove was a critical component in the overall design.

"I chose the countertops to coordinate with the antique cooker. The mantel and brick-tiled backsplash give the kitchen a focal point, and bring the character of the existing farmhouse back into the newly created space."

To maintain the kitchen's traditional feel, De Lorenzo integrated the refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher into the cabinetry. The microwave and oven are out of sight, and extraction units are concealed in a custom-designed mantel and cupboard.

Story by: Tim Conn