Manoa Historical Charm
Built in the 1920’s, this delightful and charming, historical Manoa cottage-style home was brought back to life with strategic planning and thoughtful execution.
After a thorough inspection with the homeowners, we realized that the footprint of the kitchen would have to stay the same to keep the beautiful and original hardwood flooring intact. We were also very conscientious that the historical integrity of the home stay in place, but we knew the homeowner’s needed a kitchen that worked for a modern-day home chef.
The style and integrity of the kitchen was maintained by keeping the detailed building and trim elements; including the bead-board end panels, built-in pantries, tongue-in-groove wall surfaces, and beautiful exposed beam as essential components of the design. We updated this historical charmer with a new integrated SubZero refrigerator and a 30”Wolf gas range, as well as a new microwave drawer, a SubZero wine cooler, and an industrial sized chimney-style exhaust hood. Period fixtures, deep sinks, smart accessories, and beautiful new granite all add to the charm.
“The details in respect to the historical components are what make this kitchen most successful,” says Judy. “The existing kitchen just didn’t work for the homeowner’s who love to create when they are cooking.”
J.R.’s favorite aspect: “I love the light that floods into this kitchen. The existing windows are charming, and became the architectural key to this kitchen. Working within a space filled with so much light was great. The kitchen already had this open and bright personality; we were able bring out its shine. The subway tile is my favorite design element; it was the piece of the design puzzle that was the most challenging, but it brings out so much character.”
DESiGNER Kitchens and Baths is well known for contemporary, modern, and mid-century modern design projects, but working on a home with a historical style was an experience we really responded to. Judy had worked with the homeowner several years ago on his previous Manoa kitchen, so it was a lot of fun to reconnect on this new project.
“It's not what you look at that matters,it's what you see.”
– Henry David Thoreau