Design MUST- HAVES:
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Color- blocked cabinetry Cement tile and brass liner custom backsplash Furniture- style island with seating for two
Mid Century Modern kitchens offer so many of the amenities 21st- century homeowners crave, including open floor plans and stylish storage solutions. But even for homeowners who adore their vintage homes, their kitchens may still be lacking some much- needed features, like abundant counterspace and upgraded appliances, and a thoughtful remodel becomes a must- do.
That was the case for the kitchen in this 1965 St. Petersburg, Florida, ranch. Marked by a few upgrades in its 50- plus- year history, the kitchen wasn’t fully meeting the needs of its current homeowners. Brooke Eversoll of Bee Studios was brought in to lead the update for clients with a specific wish list.
“The clients’ main desires were a more functional kitchen overall, which included a dishwasher ( the current kitchen didn’t have one), a more expansive layout, more counterspace and seating for two,” Brooke says. “They also wished to remove the floating laminate floor and restore the original terrazzo surface. They were expecting their first child, so they turned to me as their kitchen designer and a recent mom for all the tips and tricks for a functional space with a newborn.”
Brooke reconfigured the layout by shifting walls, and she opened up the space by removing soffits. The gas range became a focal point with the addition of a custom tile backsplash. The refrigerator, concealed with custom cabinetry, was placed next to the pantry and microwave drawer for easy food prep. A furniturestyle island with abundant workspace and seating for two was installed, as were double dishwasher drawers. “This house waited 55 years for a proper dishwasher— no handwashing bottles in this kitchen,” Brooke says.
The designer found inspiration in the 1950s and ’ 60s for the kitchen’s finishes and styling. Earthy shades of brown, green, cream and gray were used throughout. Mismatched matte- finished pendant lighting was installed over the island. The custom cabinetry was color- blocked in a nod to modern art and design. “Color blocking is one of my favorite design elements; I use it a lot when I want to create visual interest and repetition,” Brooke says.
With its mix of contemporary functionality and vintage sensibilities, the sixmonth project was completed just weeks before the homeowners’ son was born. “The clients desired a fashion forward and truly one- of- a- kind kitchen for their young, growing family,” Brooke says. “A space that balanced their style and brought in the perfect shades of earthy naturals— greens, caramels, tans, creams and grays. They were not afraid to take risks, and it paid off!”