After months of meticulous planning, our kitchen renovation has finally taken shape, and we couldn't be more thrilled. Let's journey back to the initial days when we acquired 'The Savage House' and confronted a kitchen frozen in time—dated, poorly laid out, and far from ideal for the demands of the 21st century.
In 1900, kitchen dynamics were vastly different, centered around limited appliances and a communal table for prep work. The practicality of placing plumbing in one location, demonstrated by the fact that our kitchen sink and bathroom sink share a wall, speaks volumes about the era's considerations. Post-World War I, the surge in connsumerism in American and the desire for tools to improve our quality of life and ease everyday tasks, reshaped and reformed the layout of the home, but especially the kitchen. With the advent of modern appliances rendering early 1900s cabinets ill-equipped for contemporary conveniences like crock-pots and pressure cookers, we unfortunately found we would be unable to maintain the cabinets that were already present in our home.
The journey commenced with meticulous measurements, sketching rough room outlines, noting door and window locations, and plumbing and electrical considerations. Hand-drawn layouts evolved as we pondered the optimal placement of appliances and cabinets, with the idea of an island quickly taking root—a homage to the functionality of a 1900s kitchen, featuring a central work area.
A finalized hand-drawn layout became the foundation for our vision, verified using the cabinets.com kitchen designer online tool. With everything seemingly falling into place, contractors entered the scene, providing quotes that underscored the investment needed to relocate plumbing—a necessary step to mold the kitchen into a space we genuinely loved.
Once we had a finalized layout concept, we migrated to Pinterest, our virtual design haven, where a warm palette of cream and dark wood emerged as the prevailing theme. Off-white cabinet colors and rustic aged wood accents quickly became a common theme. Shortly after, we discovered the Renovation Husbands' Boston Victorian Kitchen which led our design choices. Their kitchen, a beacon of inspiration, resonated with us due to our homes' physical proximity and similar age.
Additional design elements, like a quartz/marble shelf with feature lighting inspired by The Castle Kitchen from Magnolia, and cabinets extending to the ceiling for a built-in look, began shaping our dream kitchen. While we initially aspired to paneled appliances, practicality (read: cost) led us to sleek black stainless steel choices.
Accents played a vital role, with aged brass cabinet hardware and black appliances and lighting fixtures anchoring the kitchen in the unique character of our home.
Finally, Austin created a full-fledged design on solidworks, and we really got to see our kitchen come together!
With meticulous planning, hand-drawn layouts, and the vision taking shape on solidworks, our kitchen transformation is poised for the next chapter. Austin's detailed design on solidworks marks a pivotal step as we prepare to collaborate with design services. Official measurements, intricate designs, and precise costs are on the horizon, bringing us one step closer to witnessing 'The Savage House' embrace its modern yet historically-infused kitchen. Stay tuned for the exciting unveiling of the next phase in our renovation journey!