Timeless kitchen style

Southern Living, Spring 2003 by Feagin, Julie

Add a dash of color and innovative details to make a small kitchen really cook.

Trying to make something new look as if it's been there for years can be quite a challenge. When this 1913 farmhouse was moved to its present South Carolina site, there was no kitchen, just a dilapidated back porch.

Designer Ruth Edwards and the design team at Historical Concepts kept this in mind when restoring the rustic farmhouse. A combination of several elements came together to create a functional kitchen that is reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century cooking porch, but still contains modem-day conveniences.

In Search of Color

The existing pine floors are the foundation of the room. Ruth chose to paint them a rich red, which gives the room its burst of color. The ceiling also presented an opportunity to inject some color, so she chose a soft blue, reminiscent of historic porches.

To continue the weathered look, the wooden plank walls display an aged finish that was created by painting them with a white primer, then applying a khaki color on top. This layer was sanded off to expose the undercoat.

A Furniture Feel

The two base cabinets, which stand in front of a large bank of windows, appear to be furniture. The countertops, made from old heart pine, add more patina to the kitchen. Without much wallspace, Jim Strickland, president of Historical Concepts, designed the plate racks to hang over the windows.

These creative storage units enable natural light to flood the room.

Ruth found a replica of an old potting table to use as the island. The dimensions are ideal for the narrow space and make up for the minimal counterspace. Its olive green finish adds another splash of color against the white walls and cabinets.

Downplaying the New

The new commercial-style stove makes quite a focal point, but Jim and Ruth wanted it to fit in with the rest of the room. So they used a sheet of leftover galvanized metal roofing for the backsplash. Vintage wall sconces add another source of light. The antique fixtures above the sink and island balance the look of the new appliances.

Maybe what they say isn't truethey do build them like they used to. This kitchen is proof. JULIE FEAGIN