Transforming a Historic Kitchen Maze to a Culinary Dream

Transforming a Historic Kitchen Maze Into a Culinary Dream

Let’s take a look at a kitchen transformation that is sure to make your jaw drop!

On the Ease Side of Providence, a family just starting out decided to call this place home. As their family began to grow, the need for more efficiency in their lives became more and more of a necessity. Our clients desired a more open and sensible layout in the kitchen where they spend most of their time together. The family felt like they were entering a maze as they passed through the front door; a hallway that ended as a closet, a double set of stairs to pass through a room, a fridge that might as well have been at the neighbors. The list went on! This family needed a solution.

The Solution

Before photo of a kitchen remodel by Red House Design Build in Providence RI
Before: A wall obstructed the view from the dining area into the kitchen creating a much more closed off feel, leaving the kitchen feeling a bit too small.


A wall once obstructed the dining room from the kitchen, making each space feel smaller. Our clients left the beautiful built-in china cabinet seen in the corner of each photo. These are common in historic New England homes, and we are thrilled they decided to keep it! Where a doorway once stood, a wonderful bar area now hosts it. From this angle, you can see where the wall stood between the dining area and kitchen, and if you look closely, you can see the fridge hidden in another room! The bathroom you’ll see below now resides here, offering a nice transition from the outside in.

Red House’s Plan

The red represents what will be removed from the space. As you can see, the wall between the kitchen and dining area will be removed to allow for the kitchen to expand. The back room formerly hosting a small mudroom and a space for the fridge will be altered into a larger mudroom and a small powder room.

 

After photo of a kitchen remodel by Red House Design Build in Providence, RI
After: Looking into the kitchen from the same angle, we can see how much space it gave the kitchen. The space now has a functional island, new cabinetry, and an overall completely transformed look. Photography by Aaron Usher III

The kitchen features newly finished hardwood floors, an open floor plan, ample storage, and a brighter feel. Now, this family can gather together in one place as they begin their days.

Before: The staircase makes functionality feel impossible. Everyday items and appliances can’t seem to find a place and it leaves the kitchen feeling pieced together and cluttered.

It is challenging to tell that these are identical kitchens other than using the windows for reference. The space felt cluttered, tight, and, honestly, nonsensical! The layout made everyday tasks more difficult than usual. While we do love historic charm, like staircases in odd places, this staircase location just didn’t make sense. We are missing valuable wall space in the kitchen, contributing to the lack of functionality and flow here. 

After: Looking into the kitchen from the same angle, the space is almost unrecognizable. Removing the staircase from the far right corner allowed for new cabinetry and countertops to create more usable space. Photography by Aaron Usher III

Standing at the same angle, this view may be the most transformed. Removing the staircase from this section allowed cabinets to wrap around the corner and create a beautiful and expansive cooking area. This island creates a central hub and integrates a functional kitchen work triangle.

Before: From this angle, we see that the kitchen is quite separated and lacking a kitchen work triangle. The open shelving offers little storage, and you can see how this space may get a little too tight if the whole family were to help cook.

Standing where the staircase used to be, we look into the kitchen towards the back of the house. From this angle, how much counter space they lacked is much more apparent. On the back wall, you can see two doorways. On the left is a space for coats and a back exit; on the right, there is a fridge and a bit more counter space. The fridge is too far from the kitchen work triangle, and the mudroom is too small for a growing family, so it needs storage and organization. Now, head towards those two doors on the far wall in this photo and see just how transformed those little spaces are!

The new and improved mudroom allows the family to easily transition from the outside. Thoughtfully storing their essentials for a day out. Photography by Aaron Usher III
Warm and golden hues for this gorgeous powder room. A powder room is the perfect time to select that fun wallpaper you’ve been eyeing, or fun finishes. Photography by Aaron Usher III

 

This is where our team got creative! Respectively, the image on the left represents a newly reimagined mudroom, as seen in the photo above. The mudroom is bright and organized and flows naturally into the rest of the home. On the right, we have this gorgeous powder room. Our design team chose this stunning copper-toned wallpaper and gold finishes just to bring some personality and excitement to this small space. Hard to believe that a fridge and counters used to be here, right!?

Our team came out of this project extremely please, and more importantly, so did our clients! This space is so bright and functional now that the family says they spend most of their time here gathered with friends and family.

Are You Looking to Finally Transform Your Kitchen?

Red House Design Build is always happy to talk about your project and dream up the possibilities for your space. We offer luxury and high-end remodeling in the Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts area and can’t wait to see what projects you bring to us!

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