Some houses have hidden gifts that, when discovered, can take the finished project to the next level, like this turn-of-the century home in Melrose. The home had already gone through several renovations, but the owners were seeking improved access and flow in their kitchen layout. They also wanted to make the space more functional to better meet their cooking needs and love of entertaining. 

The owners also wanted to incorporate a more central seating option in the kitchen, but there wasn’t much space for an island, so we used the home itself as inspiration. We sourced and refinished a vintage wood table, painted in a mauve shade that complements the green tones used in the mid-century-inspired geometric light fixtures. The result is a fun, rustic piece reminiscent of a true kitchen work table and serves as a real design highlight.                    

The home’s original pantry ended up being the final hidden gift in this project. Blocked off during a previous renovation, we joined this space together with the existing powder room to create a unique storage nook. The vanity was selected to fit the period character of the home, offset by a modern mirror framed in natural fibers that mimicked the wallpaper. Moldings were selected to meld seamlessly into the home’s vintage feel. 

The result of this kitchen and powder room renovation was a beautifully cohesive and connected space that is at once distinctive, integrated, and understated.