Past is present

Not every kitchen remodeling project needs to involve a total refit. Incorporating some of the existing features and services is a more sustainable option it can also be a way to preserve a home's character.

This remodeled kitchen is in a 1920s bungalow that is part of a preservation district, where homeowners are encouraged to remodel within specific guidelines designed to retain and respect the traditional architecture.

Designer Shannon Cline of John Henry Kitchen & Bath Design says the house had been in the same family for 50 years, and the kitchen had been remodeled just once during this time.

"It was outdated and worn, but it had potential. By removing a wall between the kitchen and a dining area, we were able to open it up to the light and sun in the south, and provide French doors to a patio that overlooks the garden."

Cline says the owners are environmentally conscious, so natural materials appropriate to the era of the house were used wherever possible. These include marmoleum flooring, wood and soapstone countertops and painted wood cabinetry.

"We also selected smaller appliances that use less energy, including a 30in refrigerator and a narrow 18in dishwasher. And the new sink is in the same position as the original one, so we didn't need to redo the plumbing.The decorative moulding beside the breakfast nook was added in the 1950s and retained as part of the story of the house."

Just like a kitchen in the 1920s, the recessed panel doors are inset. Prairie Green painted beadboard wraps the ends of the island in keeping with tradition. A hand-carved draining area on the soapstone counter, featuring a leaf pattern, is also reminiscent of older kitchens, albeit with an artistic touch.