Blog Cabin Kitchens: Elements of Design

Remodeling a kitchen in an older home can pose its challenges. Follow the lead of DIY Network's design experts responsible for the renovation of Blog Cabin's beautiful cooking spaces.

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February 25, 2015

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Photo By: Frank Murray

Photo By: Jackson Riley Parker

What's Old Is New Again

In an old home that's been stripped of its historic charm, reintroduce distinguishing elements. In this farmhouse kitchen, pine-clad beams, though new, lend rustic elegance.

Start a Conversation

Make the kitchen truly the heart of your home with unique elements that engage the family. Here, an entire wall covered in chalkboard paint becomes a conversation board and life-size to-do list.

Match Style to Era

Choose fixtures and cabinetry that complement the style of your home. Here, a gooseneck faucet and cabinetry with reverse-raised-panel doors feel right at home in the circa-1905 farmhouse.

Age What's New

Give a brand-new kitchen a lived-in look by incorporating vintage materials. Wavy window glass, reclaimed from an old barn, replaces standard glass panes in this kitchen storage unit.

Do Industrial in Small Doses

To keep the look modern and fresh, choose one element that stands in contrast to more era-appropriate fixtures. Cage-style pendant lights or a factory-table-turned-island should do the trick.

Open Up a Small Space

In a smaller kitchen with low ceilings, replace above-counter cabinets with shelving units. Your best dinnerware and baskets become artwork, while hard-working appliances, pots and pans can be stored below, out of sight.

Add a Few Surprises

Splurge, if you can. Select one specialty item that says something about your entertaining style. An under-counter wine cooler, a microwave/warming drawer combo or custom countertop appliance will also lend a touch of contemporary style to your vintage kitchen.

Make the Most of Storage

When selecting cabinetry, consider features that will improve functionality and take advantage of every square inch of storage space. Consider wall-angle cabinets with lazy Susan inserts.

Texturize

Explore the environment around you for sources of design inspiration. Backsplash tile, countertop surfaces and even flooring can echo materials found in nature.

Incorporate a Few Friendly Faces

Got black-and-white family photos or vintage prints that tell a story of your town's history? Frame and display them in the kitchen. Custom artwork will become conversation pieces and extend the space's warm and cozy feel.

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