Traditional Kitchen with a Twist

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The house was built in 1939, and the kitchen’s last remodel was in the ’80s, so it was cramped, outdated and didn’t use space to its advantage.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,” Tatiana says. “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.

refrigerator built into custom black cabinet and long island with built-in storage and counter dining space — 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.

white quartz countertops, white cabinetry with traditional glass doors on outer cabinets in traditional kitchen decorated for fall with decorative pumpkins — 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.”

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.

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.

fall bouquet with sunflowers next to pumpkins and gourds in traditional kitchen — 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.

pantry storage with pullout drawers in black cabinet of renovated La Jolla kitchen — 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.

reading nook with neutral botanical patterned wingback chair, abstract art and storage shelves in traditional kitchen

breakfast nook in remodeled La Jolla kitchen with white and blue color scheme — 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.

Feeling inspired by the fall touches in this traditional kitchen? Read on for more seasonal inspiration with Fall Decorating Ideas with a Vintage Twist and Welcoming Fall at the Lake House. Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of cottage inspiration!