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Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Apr 2009
| [Headnote] |
| Here it is: a vintage-style kitchen without the kitsch. BY TODD CHILDS |
Remember your grandmother's kitchen? How the tile countertops were dappled with flour, how you always felt comforted and safe, how it always smelled like cookies? So do we. And that's why we love this Tybee Island, Georgia, space that captures all that familiar flavor with a spicy hint of the here and now. A few iconic features can take you back, and we have the recipe for retro rejuvenation. But you're on your own for the cookie smell.
Crumbled Beginnings This little kitchen had been a much-loved space since its construction in the 1930s, but it had begun to show just how much. While it had to be completely gutted, the homeowner wanted to keep the room's diminutive dimensions as well as the charm of its early-20th-century fit and finish. Measuring just 12 x 14 feet, the remodeled space now includes not only the necessities of a modern kitchen but also a full-size washer and dryer. A small, movable island with a butcher-block top was added to compensate for the loss of counterspace sacrificed to the laundry area. Just this tiny bit of added surface makes a huge difference in functionality and- combined with new appliances - fulfills every cooking need from prep to plating.
Timeless Touches The retro vibe in this kitchen is suggested without being demanded, resulting in a look that is classic without being a caricature of a period look. This is achieved with three classic elements: the tile, the farmhouse sink, and the pottery.
The pale green glass tile used for the backsplash complements the slightly lighter shade of the ceramic countertops. This color is a perfect period hue that still feels fresh. The large farm sink is the unquestionable statement feature of the kitchen. In such a small space, its size could have seemed overwhelming, but it works because it doesn't visually compete for attention with other big-look elements. Finally, the green McCoy Pottery and orange Fiesta ware are simple accents. Both are nostalgic items, but the orange acts as a bridge between the past and present, mimicking the colors found in the modern shrimp painting by Savannah artist Bellamy Murphy. It's a great garnish for a delicious dish of design.
| [Sidebar] |
| ABOVE: The white cabinets and appliances keep the look clean and let the colorful tile and art take center stage. LEFT: This cabinet, salvaged from another period cottage, is the perfect depth for the space above the washer and dryer. |
| ABOVE: The built-out backsplash helps to accommodate the relatively narrow depth of the reproduction sink (Gilford by Kohler) and provides a useful ledge for display. |
| [Sidebar] |
| Love It? Get It. |
| Inspired by the candy-colored accents of this 1930s-era kitchen, we've pulled together some look-alike accessories tc help you re-create the style. |
| PENDANT LIGHT |
| Period lighting goes a long way in setting a vintage tone. Willamette light fixture with shade HP-4612-12-6, $188 as shown, from Schoolhouse Electric, www.school houseelectric.com or 1-800-630-7113. |
| KNOBS |
| Updating your cabinet hardware is a really easy way to add a punch of color and cheer to the kitchen without breaking the bank. Zinnia knobs, $6 for small and $8 tor large. from Anthropologie. www.anthropologie. com. |
| TILE |
| These beautiful tiles, which are available in 12 colors, are produced uced with a minimum of 80% post-consumer recycled glass. FEEL mosaic tiles, $10 per square foot, by Trend USA. www. trendingreen.com or 1-866-508-7363. |
| POTTERY |
| Reproductions of iconic early-20thcentury pottery are now easily available, while the originals are expensive and hard to find. The Teco Art Pottery Collection by Prairie Arts, ranging from $60 to $195 per piece, www. prairie-arts.com or 1-800-594-3148 (for retailers). |
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