Blending Historic Charm with Modern Functionality

Gallagher Remodeling takes pride in bringing our resources and experience to bear on transforming spaces to reflect our clients’ vision.

When our client purchased their 1920s Colonial Revival, they loved the neighborhood and the historic character of the house. The kitchen, however, had been remodeled in the 1990s in a way that was not mindful of the style of the home. And after twenty years. some of the cabinetry was damaged or not functioning.

The new owners wanted to modernize and update the kitchen in a vocabulary consistent with the rest of the interior, blending style and function with historic charm.

The original layout of the kitchen worked reasonably well but the design was dated. 

Amplifying the Client’s Vision

After listening carefully to the client’s wants and needs, we proposed a design concept to reflect their vision, as shown in this computer-generated 3D rending below.

This 3D rendering shows our concept for a highly functional and timeless design.  

The finished design shows the “real-life” implementation of the above concept.  

Design Details: Balancing Old and New

Our design team focused on preserving the Colonial Revival style while incorporating modern conveniences. We proposed classic elements like crown molding, inset cabinetry, and timeless hardware—while introducing fresh finishes and technologies that would serve the family for years to come.

For example:

  • Cabinetry: We selected custom wood cabinetry with traditional shaker doors and antique-style hardware. One issue the client identified early in the process was that their plates were too large to fit in the upper cabinets. In the new design, we used deeper custom wall cabinets to ensure their plates would fit comfortably. These cabinets not only provide ample storage but also evoke the feel of the home’s original craftsmanship, which lives on in other spaces throughout the home.
  • Countertops & Backsplash: For highly functional elegance, we chose PentalQuartz countertops in a marble-like finish for the countertops and for the full-height backsplash, which we capped with a shelf in the area near the range to create a ledge for cooking essentials and miniature art.
  • Appliances: The kitchen is equipped with state-of-the-art appliances, including a Fisher & Paykel professional-grade induction range. The dishwasher is integrated into the cabinets with paneling and trim.
  • Dining Area: We expanded the dining area design by replacing a full depth counter with reduced-depth serving and pantry area.  The old, wide, and leaky patio doors/transom were replaced with narrower, taller French doors for unity, elegance, and increased light. We finished this area with simple wood furniture and a modern chandelier with classic undertones.

The Results: A Happy Client!

Our clients are thrilled with the kitchen design and the construction project. “Everything was delivered as promised. Everyone was great. The project went smoothly. Love the kitchen.”