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A modern, open layout has given this Victorian-era home a new outlook

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While period homes may charm us with their character details and quirks, reinterpreting them for a modern lifestyle can prove an unenviable task. Small, cramped rooms that were once the sole domain of staff, such as the kitchen, now need to work on a more expansive level.

Architect Jeff Gard of JAG Architecture, and kitchen designer Scott Martin of Blue Plum were asked to impart a modern sensibility to this galley kitchen.

"The homeowner hated the kitchen it was a difficult space to work in and offered little inspiration. The solution was to make the space as open as possible to create more light and clearer sightlines between adjoining rooms," says Gard.

To bring in more light, the architect opened up a corner of the room, replacing the wall with a steel beam for support. An existing internal wall was also removed and replaced with a steel column. As well as making the space lighter and airier, the column has added functionality through the inclusion of a pivoting shelf, which can also be used as a small table.

"One aspect of the project was to create a sense of openness within the galley format. The other was to balance the lighter feel with rich materials and colors," says Martin.

"We looked at a lot of rich colors and tones and settled on a deep, sumptuous brown as the base palette. To this we added the buttermilk counters and then turned our attention to the accent colors.

"The burnt pumpkin-orange emphasizes the inherent warmth of the other colors, while the high-gloss finish contrasts with the darker tone of the brown."

To maximize the sense of space, the designer integrated counters within the flush cabinetry.

"By presenting a clean line throughout, we've created the impression of spaciousness within a tight configuration," says Martin.