THE CHINABERRY KITCHEN
Old House Journal|October - November 2020
Strong color unifies a revival kitchen in a 1910 Seattle house. A NOT-TOO-BIG HOUSE WITH CURB APPEAL WAS WHAT MARISA MUNOZ WAS LOOKING FOR WHEN SHE CAME UPON THIS ONE ON QUEEN ANNE HILL IN SEATTLE. THE 1910 HOUSE, A TRANSITIONAL FUSION OF LATE-VICTORIAN AND CRAFTSMAN ELEMENTS, HAD JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING SHE WANTED: STEEP GABLES AND PRETTY WINDOWS; ORIGINAL MOULDINGS, HARDWOOD FLOORS, AND A ROMANTIC WINDING STAIRCASE. WELL MAINTAINED, THE HOUSE GENERALLY WAS IN MOVE-IN CONDITION . . . EXCEPT FOR THE KITCHEN.
BRIAN D. COLEMAN
THE CHINABERRY KITCHEN

Remodeled by the previous owners, the claustrophobic room was fitted with cheap brown cabinets, very shiny black granite counters, slate flooring, and—incongruously—baby-blue walls. Marisa knew she would want to redo it.

When she contacted Seattle interior designer Sheila Mayden, the two decided to begin with a small, manageable project: creating a brand-new, three-quarters guest bath for the family room on the basement level. All went smoothly, so, the following year, Marisa felt ready to tackle the kitchen. By now homeowner and designer had a great working relationship; Sheila knew that Marisa liked the strong color and lots of detail.

Wisely, Marisa did not want to enlarge the kitchen, as that would have affected the adjacent dining room. Staying within the original footprint would also help preserve the essence of the early-20th-century house.

The space was small, just 12' by 8'9, so planning was a challenge. The main cooking and cleanup area was nearly square, with just three walls: one each for the sink, the range, and the fridge. The pair decided to leave appliances in the same locations but chose state-of-the-art replacements: a 36” ‘Bussy’ range from LaCanche (matte black with brass detailing); a built-in Liebherr refrigerator hidden behind cabinet doors; an apron-front fireclay sink; and a disguised dishwasher. The microwave oven would be tucked into the rear pantry.

Custom cherry-wood cabinets were chosen for their weight and solidity, and run to the ceiling in the traditional manner of a butler’s pantry. Cabinetwork continues into the pantry area. Windows were added above the sink and at the back of the pantry, adding light and depth.

Denne historien er fra October - November 2020-utgaven av Old House Journal.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra October - November 2020-utgaven av Old House Journal.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA OLD HOUSE JOURNALSe alt
a farmhouse renewed
Old House Journal

a farmhouse renewed

Sensitive renovations and restoration work preserved a house that dates to 1799.

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2024
AN OVERVIEW OF METAL ROOFING
Old House Journal

AN OVERVIEW OF METAL ROOFING

METAL ROOFS ARE RESURGENT, FOR GOOD REASONS.

time-read
1 min  |
September - October 2024
ENDURING BEAUTY IN WALLS of STONE
Old House Journal

ENDURING BEAUTY IN WALLS of STONE

Now back in the family who had been here since 1830, the old farmhouse is again ready for generations to come. Additions dating to 1840 and the 1950s were preserved.

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2024
ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS COME TO LIFE
Old House Journal

ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS COME TO LIFE

Owners and their designer celebrate the unique features of a 1912 Arts & Crafts Tudor.

time-read
2 mins  |
September - October 2024
For a Wet Basement Wall
Old House Journal

For a Wet Basement Wall

If there's problem common to old houses, it's a wet basement. I'm not talking about occasional flooding, but rather a basement that apparently seeps or leaks after even a rain shower or during snowmelt. Several approaches are available; sustainable solutions will get to the root of the problem.

time-read
1 min  |
September - October 2024
Patching a Plaster Wall
Old House Journal

Patching a Plaster Wall

Fix a hole in the wall with a few common tools and some drywall supplies. Practice your technique!

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
Navigating the Lumberyard
Old House Journal

Navigating the Lumberyard

Here's some lumber lingo you should know before you venture into a lumberyard.

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
Roofing & Siding
Old House Journal

Roofing & Siding

Make note of these historical and unusual materials for the building envelope.

time-read
1 min  |
September - October 2024
The Riddle of the water
Old House Journal

The Riddle of the water

When water incursion happens, the roof isn't necessarily the culprit. Maybe snaking a drain line, or clearing debris from a clogged gutter, temporarily will stem a leak. But a recurring problem usually means other forces are at work. It takes persistence-and a team with the right skills and patience—to identify the source and apply a solution.

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
Light-filled Craftsman Redo
Old House Journal

Light-filled Craftsman Redo

For a dark kitchen in a 1914 Illinois house, the trick was anchoring white expanses with woodsy warmth.

time-read
2 mins  |
September - October 2024