A saltwater farmhouse built in the 1700s, this home was long overdue for a nurturing renovation honoring its historic origins while integrating modern amenities and uncovering layers of detail hidden over the long years. This old kitchen presented a challenge all-too-familiar with antique homes – a central main room with little wall space left after original passage doors and plenty of windows for a functional kitchen. And the previous 1960s-era kitchen renovation provided plenty of motivation for the homeowner to remodel – plywood cabinets paired with thick coats of bright yellow paint were loudly anachronistic.
Starting by revealing the original hand-hewn beams, the project design scribed hand-planed pine cabinetry to the old chimney and structural posts in order to optimize storage and workspace.
Georgian raised panels with pegged mortise-and-tenon joinery, cut nailed face frames, and Vermont Verde countertops capture, revive and complement the original charm of the house. The updated kitchen now allows traffic to flow easily throughout while providing focused space for meal preparation. A large central island draws the family to gather and partake in cooking events.
A note-worthy supplement is a closely connected walk-through pantry that provides refrigeration, additional storage and workspace. A custom-crafted soapstone sink with fish-cleaning spillway was an important finishing touch for a primary family pastime at home on a busy historic Maine harbor.