Holly + Magda's Kitchen Remodel
Holly + Magda's Kitchen Remodel
Kitchen Renovation in Portland, OR
The new kitchen in this 1909 NE Portland home is inspired by the owners' gutsy attitude and love of midcentury furniture.
A conventionally attractive kitchen didn't suit Holly + Magda, so we went for a bold materials palette: western walnut cabinetry, gunmetal tile, and white quartzite countertops. Skylights and a glass exterior door maximize daylight. Ample task lighting and a Jasper Morrison Glo-Ball provide additional lighting for all moods and functions.
This kitchen was published in Portland Monthly and Design*Sponge.
Michael seemed to get us the moment he walked into our house, and we are tough customers! His challenges were to design a bold kitchen that wouldn't be out of place in a 1909 Craftsman, to improve our workflow in the kitchen, and to choose soulful materials that honor the modernity that we love while not clashing with the vintage of the house. He absolutely nailed all three.
Before + after
Generic and poorly functioning, the old kitchen was gutted. All salvageable materials and appliances were donated to the Portland Rebuilding Center.
Roll over to see the kitchen before + after.
Old + new
To harmonize the new modern space with the vintage of the home, we kept the existing kitchen footprint and designed a cabinetry scheme to fit seamlessly into the bones of the room. Matched oak flooring further connects old and new.
Hard + soft
Bold but not cold: that was a major goal for this project. Materials were carefully chosen with this in mind. Select walls are upholstered in a dramatic gunmetal gray tile. Semi-reflective, the tile catches the light and softens the dark tones. Handmade by Heath Ceramics, each tile is unique, giving a gorgeous tactile quality to the space as a whole.
Warm walnut
Richly textured Oregon black walnut was used for the cabinetry. Wood pulls are a nod to midcentury furniture and are warm to the touch.
Photographer: Anna M Campbell