The little mill house that would eventually be my design studio was built in the 1930’s. Historically, this sleepy Atlanta neighborhood was blue collar through and through, with most of neighborhood’s original residents employed at the Atlantic Steel Company, one of the South’s largest steel mills established in 1901. My home’s original owner was a foreman at the Steel Company and walked the short 2 blocks to work during the work week. Then every afternoon the steel mills “deep throated “ steam whistle, named Mr. Tom, would release the employees to begin their walk home. I absolutely love the history, sense of purpose and communal energy of these tiny mill houses even though the Atlantic Steel Mill is long gone!
Eight years after buying this little mill house I never attempted a kitchen renovation for a very good reason. I was truly terrified I would accidentally ruin what was so authentic and real, unassuming, and charming about this tiny house.
But after my kitchen cabinet doors started falling off the hinges (I’m not kidding!) and my dog broke 4 glass panes of the French style back door, I gave up. It was time!! I can do this, I’m a designer. This is what I do everyday right?!? After giving my self a pep talk, I started sketching and laying out a mood board. Also, I dug out an original light fixture which I saved from the Athens, GA Coca Cola Bottling Plant and had planned on using in my new renovation.
This is the vibe I was chasing. This was my original sketch and mood board.
Tip 1
Don’t Demo Before You Read This
To keep the true integrity of an authentic older home you need to keep about 20% of the original design and materials. It gives the space instant age, instant patina, and nostalgia! For example, in this design we kept the original wood floor, which is actually just the old pine subfloor. We removed some nasty 12×12 vinyl tiles from the floor which were installed in the late 80’s.
I also kept the huge old cast iron sink that was original to the house when I bought it. And I kept the location of the major plumbing and appliances for budget reasons. In the end, I loved that the renovated space doesn’t feel completely new. That’s the true goal. Trust me, it is SO tempting to jump on fresh trends and new items you find on Pinterest, but doing that will create a new kitchen that does not belong in an original older home. My point is before you rip out everything with a sledgehammer, think carefully about what you might want to keep.
Tip 2
Don’t Build Everything In
When designing the kitchen renovation layout for an older home, don’t build everything in. Modern kitchens have custom cabinets that take full advantage of every space. Every single nook and cranny is built in. But with older homes, you find a combination of pieces that aren’t all custom tailored wall to wall. There is breathing room in older homes, and a blend of pieces as opposed to built in cabinets. As in the photo below, be sure you add in freestanding pieces. This is a burled mahogany buffet that was my momma’s. My Daddy bought it for her for one of their wedding anniversaries. When they downsized she passed it on to me and I use it everyday. On the opposite side of the kitchen is a completely different style of furniture. It’s a freestanding 30×30 maple butcher block, that came out of my Daddy’s grocery store on St. Simon island, Georgia. These butcher blocks were built in Michigan in the early 1900’s and sold for a whopping $15.00 brand new… with freight! I love looking in my kitchen and “seeing” my family and my “history!” It connects me to my family even if they aren’t in Atlanta.
Tip 3
Focus on the Details
Hinges, shelving, and knobs are small details that all speak to a time period and style in a kitchen renovation! I used exposed unlacquered brass hinges on the cabinet doors, as well as painted wood knobs all on inset cabinets… and even “bird’s beak” adjustable shelving. One note about the faucet… it’s actually a bathroom faucet. Surprise! The kitchen is such a small space that honestly most kitchen faucets were too large in scale. And then there was also the budget issue. I had my heart set on an unlacquered brass faucet but wasn’t at all interested in a $1800.00 faucet price tag.
Hinges:
Knobs:
“Bird’s Beak” Shelving:
Kitchen Faucet:
Shelf and Drawer Liners:
I lined all the drawers with cork and all the shelves with non-slip canvas. The cork liner did have an adhesive backing which helps it lay flat and not curl up. Please note the cork doesn’t do well with water. Be sure anything you put on top of the cork liner is relatively dry. The canvas is actually water repellent so it has more durability against moisture. I’m absolutely loving it so far. It’s super easy! You just needed a ruler, a pencil, and a pair of scissors. Both these products, the cork liner and the non-slip canvas, are cabinet lining products by Con-Tact brand.
Tip 4
Upgrade but don’t Match
While planning your kitchen renovation definitely upgrade your appliances but don’t match them. I struggled here. There again, how do I honor the character of the house but not get sucked into a rigid time period renovation. I didn’t want a retro stove! I love to cook I wanted a slamming set of appliances, just not matching appliances, like most modern kitchens. This is a 30” Italian Verona range. By the way, the refrigerator is a white, top freezer Kenmore, for $479.00.
Tip 5
Avoid Trends
I mentioned this earlier and trust me, even as a designer, it’s so hard not to get pulled off track. Pinterest, Houzz, and Instagram are such amazing visual platforms for inspiration. Currently, subway tile and floating stained wood shelves are trending. But the trick is to recognize a trend so you don’t date your home with a fad that will undermine the history and character of your home. I stayed with a basic 2cm honed marble and painted brackets with shelving. We even took the marble slab upon the backsplash. Boring? Maybe but I love it!
List of items and links for my kitchen renovation:
Paint for cabinets: Benjamin Moore OC-57 White Heron
Paint for custom metal back door: Sherwin Williams 6099 Sand Dollar
Faucet: Kallista One Unlacquered brass Gooseneck Lever handles
Wood knobs: Woodcraft Mushroom Knob 3/4” Birch
Marble: Paonzzetto 2 cm Honed by Ciot/Atlanta
Stainless Range: Verona 30” Range
Kitchen Pendant: This one is from the Athen’s Coca Cola plant but the globe is 20” wide.
Cabinet liners:
ConTact brand Cork Adhesive
ConTact brand Natural Cotton Canvas Liner
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Retreating to Lake Chatuge… My 5 must haves!
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