What’s New
We are excited to share this recently historic home remodel, built in 1824. This project presented us with some unique design challenges that we were able to overcome, resulting in a beautiful finished product and a very well-functioning kitchen.
Also known as Antebellum architecture, this property not only gives us an intimate look at how people once lived in this southern region but also shows the characteristics and style of a stunning southern design, which remains rich in history.
Design Challenge: The Floor Plan
Keeping the existing floor plan was not ideal for this particular kitchen layout. We needed to incorporate a washer and dryer into the space. Since it was an older home, there were not many areas to “fit” this in. Combining the kitchen and laundry rooms was the best option for this design solution.
Before
The current laundry room and kitchen were part of an addition that was built onto the home in the 1970s. Wanting to stay true to the original layout, we closely followed the existing design but opened up the space by removing the wall between the kitchen and laundry room. The way that addition was built allowed us to open up the entire area.
New Floor Plan
With the vision of removing walls, this was the newly revised floor plan, showing how much space we would gain and how a more unified space would be created.
The Design Process
The design process began in the center of the kitchen with the hood over the 71” wide La Cornue French Range. The beautiful callback to old-world style set the tone for the rest of the kitchen.
Creating Symmetry
We used the cabinets to create symmetry in the room by using two sinks under the windows. From here, we filled in the spaces from the wall to the sink cabinet and the sink cabinet to the range with the client’s requirements. They chose to use two large pantry cabinets on the walls to optimize storage, and we also had room for two dishwashers. They got a double set of drawer cabinets between the sink and range.
To recap, that’s two sinks, two dishwashers, two pantry cabinets, fourteen drawers, and no wasted space. Only custom cabinets by Walker Woodworking could have achieved this level of customization and given the homeowner exactly what they wanted and needed.
Refrigerator and Washer & Dryer
We still have to find an area for the designer column sub-zero refrigerator and freezer units – each is 30″ and a washer and dryer.
On the wall opposite the left window, we made an area resembling the furniture to house the refrigerator and a stacked washer and dryer, all hidden behind the cabinets.
Hutches & Farm-Style Island
Even with what we had already placed in this space, there was still room to add two hutch cabinets and a farmhouse-style island. Both added elegance and charm to the already beautiful design, not to mention extra storage and seating areas.
Once we had the cabinet layout details done, it was time to move into the next part of our goal: to create a look that represented an English Farmhouse style. The remaining finishing touches were mostly cabinet finish selections. With some guidance and creativity from our in-house design team, we offered the homeowner several unique options. Using the redesigned floor plan, the walls were removed and moved down to the exposed brick of the original home. Initially, the client wanted to use a shade of green that would have complemented the white she had selected well. However, we just couldn’t settle on a color that looked good with the exposed brick. Our next option was a shade of blue that could be painted and glazed to complement the exposed brick. The team at Walker Woodworking made a few samples using colors the design team selected and some photo inspiration to perfect the glazing. We will let the photos speak for themselves.
Completing The Look
For the final step, we needed to design an island that reflected a farmhouse style from the early 1800s. We believed the island was the perfect piece to bring in natural wood tones that looked weathered and aged, using quarter-sawn white oak and a cerusing technique.
There are many elements that contribute to creating a welcoming home, including color, patterns, decorative pieces, and furniture. All of this comes together to paint an inviting space where guests leave feeling like family. Sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start or what pieces work best together to create the perfect look. Let’s talk about five ways to create a welcoming atmosphere in your home.
Walker Woodworking Does your home need some renovations to bring it back up to speed for your specific lifestyle? Are you ready to transform certain areas into a more functional and purposeful space? Our experienced design team has assisted hundreds of clients in creating new areas that function exactly as they need. How can we help you prioritize your needs through design? Let us help you find the areas of priority in your home!
Greenbrook DesignAt the heart of any design work is the chance to tell a story—the story of those who live there. Our home is at the core of who we are. It is our grounding, the place we can truly let our hair down and be ourselves. It’s where memories are not just made, but remembered and passed down to the next generation. Homes are meant to be special—a symbol to all who enter of what truly matters to us. That’s why the design choices we make should be influenced by who we are, where we came from, and how our unique experiences shape us. Across the world, people’s design choices are deeply rooted in culture. But in today’s ever-connected world, we’re also seeing a beautiful blending of cultures—where traditional elements mix with modern influences, and regional styles merge to reflect global inspirations.
Since the invention of the light bulb, we have been able to brighten up our homes at any time of day. It has been great to eliminate shadows in areas where there are limited windows or even none at all, and allowed us to achieve more in a 24-hour period. Light fixtures have also developed from being just a practical tool into works of art, giving homeowners the chance to express themselves and add a touch of elegance to any room. Changing out a light fixture can completely alter or transform a room, and with so many sizes and styles, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. As we approach the close of another year, new home lighting trends for 2022 could provide helpful information for selecting your next light fixture that will perfectly illuminate your home.
Greenbrook DesignEvery area of the home has a purpose, a specific role to play in running a house smoothly, whether that is the living room where we relax or the bathroom where we get ready for the day. The kitchen is a place of preparation, the space where we go to cook for our family, but it is the dining room where it is served and enjoyed. This is the space within the home that gives families a designated area to gather around and dine together, as well as for activities like homework, bills, and fun things like family game night. It is a multifunctional space, which means it deserves some extra attention when selecting decor pieces. Let’s talk about the many elements you can use to give the dining room the love and beauty it deserves.
Greenbrook Design