Keeping Tradition

This kitchen undergoes a remodel that maintains its classic style but with a modern twist.

It can be a challenge to blend a new aesthetic with the existing style when updating the kitchen of an older home. With this remodel in La Jolla, California, senior interior designer Tatiana Machado-Rosas of Jackson Design and Remodeling needed to modernize functionality while keeping the spirit of the architecture intact. “The homeowner wanted East Coast traditional with a twist,” she says. “She didn’t want a grandma’s kitchen, but wanted it to follow the architecture of the home. The result was sophisticated and elegant with some elements of contemporary.”

The kitchen already had large windows to let in natural light, but everything else in the kitchen was stripped and replaced for better organization and function and a more modern aesthetic. New oak floors were stained to match the flooring throughout the rest of the home.

Storage Space

The house was built in 1939, and the kitchen’s last remodel was in the ’80s, so it was cramped, outdated and didn’t use space to its advantage. “It wasn’t that functional, and the storage wasn’t that convenient,” says Tatiana. “There were things she couldn’t use, because they were tucked in a corner out of reach.” Their plan was to open up the space, make it more functional and add a more modern appearance, while keeping with the home’s overall traditional style. But they had a few challenges to overcome along the way.

“You can’t have a contemporary kitchen when the rest of the house is traditional. It comes down to selecting the right design elements.”

A custom cabinet hides the refrigerator, while added cupboards and drawers provide extra storage for food. The unit looks like a chic pantry, concealing what can easily be an eyesore. “We used a navy-blue stain on walnut, but note that the stain will absorb differently on different woods,” says Tatiana.

Over the Hill

The biggest issue in the kitchen was a lack of wall and storage space. “One wall is made up almost entirely of windows, another has doors, and then there’s the opening to the breakfast nook, so there wasn’t a lot of wall space for cabinetry or storage,” says Tatiana. To compensate, they had to get creative with appliance placement and ended up installing appliances on one side of the island and creating a custom pantry flanking the refrigerator for extra storage. What refrigerator? you might ask. The deep-blue cabinet is a custom piece that conceals the refrigerator and includes side cupboards for food.

The new countertops are made of PentalQuartz, which has veining to look like Calacatta marble, but it’s a more cost-effective option that will last. The mini subway tile is made of Carrara marble and offers fresh, understated texture to the mostly white room.

Other changes were equally creative solutions. “The original kitchen had exposed beams that were taking up space, so we raised them and covered them behind the ceiling drywall,” says Tatiana. “That way, they’re hidden, but still supporting the ceiling.” They also replaced the cabinets, flooring and appliances. “We tore out every single thing in that kitchen,” she says. “There wasn’t even any drywall, so we could update the plumbing and electrical.”

“You want a smooth transition between materials and colors to keep the eye looking around the space.”

Tatiana was able to seamlessly blend modern elements into this traditional kitchen, giving it a fresh feel without making the elements look out of place in the home.

The Blending of Styles

Tatiana chose shades of white and gray for the walls and cabinets, to stay traditional and prevent any one piece from standing out. “You don’t want any pieces to jump out at you,” she says. “You want a smooth transition between materials and colors to keep the eye looking around the space.” With this color palette, the traditional aesthetic is maintained, and you can switch out seasonal décor items with ease.

The custom-made cabinet that conceals the refrigerator has built-in drawers and cupboards for extra storage space. Pull-out drawers allow easy access to food items and small appliances.

She picked classic furniture pieces to bring in the antique look and used leaded glass on the cabinets to continue the traditional look in a subtle way. The details of the swirled-marble ornate backsplash also add character to the space.

The opening from the kitchen to the breakfast nook was almost completely blocked by storage cabinets. “[The homeowner] wanted the extra storage, but also wanted openness to the breakfast nook,” says Tatiana, “so we made storage a priority in the kitchen and knocked down the cabinetry.” Other than the entrance, the breakfast nook didn’t undergo any major changes. It maintained its original terracotta tile flooring and furniture; they replaced the chandelier lampshades and chair cushions and repainted the walls.

Save vs. Splurge

Learn where to invest and how to save on your kitchen renovation.

SAVE. An effective and simple way to save is on your countertop material. “Quartz with soft veining is cheaper than stone,” says Tatiana. “We used a natural quartz from PentalQuartz, which added a touch of elegance and luxury without sacrificing quality.”

SPLURGE. Spending money on high-quality cabinetry will save you money in the future, as you won’t have to replace it as often. “You should invest in long-lasting cabinetry and appliances, because you use them daily,” says Tatiana. “Everyday use can damage cabinetry, but good quality should … last for years.”

Tips and Tricks

for an Elegant Kitchen

Don’t overdo it. There’s a necessary balance when you introduce modern amenities to a traditional home, so consider the style of your home as a whole before planning your changes. “You can’t have a contemporary kitchen when the rest of the house is traditional,” says Tatiana. “It comes down to selecting the right design elements.”
Hide appliances. Stainless steel appliances are great for function, but don’t exactly fit into a classic design. “With one view of the kitchen, you can’t see the appliances, so you can focus on other materials,” Tatiana says.
Be selective with materials. When it comes to planning your new look, prioritize your materials over paint colors. “Pick your materials first and wall colors last,” says Tatiana. “There are millions of wall colors, so you can pull shades from your materials to select the wall colors.”
Don’t forget the windows. “Windows should complement the rest of the space,” says Tatiana. “They’re an architectural feature that should be part of the interior design process.”
Plan out your space. The layout of your kitchen is the most important functional aspect. “Space planning will change with traditional and contemporary kitchens,” says Tatiana. “A family will have different needs than a couple or single person, so [space] is the first thing I plan.”