Anne and Richard DeWolf’s formulation for modern classic design comes out of years of experience: preserve what you are able to salvage whenever possible and keep true to your own style.
The owners of design-build firm Arciform, the DeWolfs place their renovation abilities to the test remodeling the kitchen of the 1908 Portland, Oregon, house. Remodels in the 1920s and 1970s had buried much of the original architecture below a mishmash of styles, but the few still kept whatever original components they found. Salvaged appliances and custom-designed accents helped produce a fun, casual and authentic-feeling space.
Kitchen in a Glance
Who lives here: Richard and Anne DeWolf
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 222 square feet
Cost: About $60,000
Arciform
The DeWolfs saved the original windows, upper cabinetry and tin ceiling, painting them all a bright white. “I think that is a bit of the European section of me,” says Anne, a German native. “I love painted woodwork and feel.”
The present cabinets and windows decided the kitchen’s design, since the DeWolfs desired the sink below the window and the cooker on an exterior wall for ventilation. Contemporary walnut accents, stainless steel appliances and glass tiles counterbalance the more conventional tin ceiling, original fir floor and marble counters.
Hood: Vent-a-Hood; ceiling paint: Dover White, Miller Paint; cooker: 1940s Tappan, eBay
Arciform
“We wanted cool colours that have a warm feeling,” says Anne. Gray-blue soft and tile yellow Venetian-plastered walls match the natural wood floors and walnut lower cabinets.
Backsplash: Roku, Walker Zanger; faucet: 1940s classic; trash cans: Cost Plus
Arciform
The long and narrow footprint didn’t allow for a single, average-size island, so Anne and Richard constructed and constructed two hefty end-grain butcher block islands. Having two separate islands also produces a pathway therefore a kitchen work triangle can be preserved.
Pendants: Clemson, Restoration Hardware
Arciform
The DeWolfs still desired a powder room, so that they constructed a small enclosed space between the dining area and kitchen. Another door on the opposite side of the enclosure contributes to the dining area.
A conventional built-in cupboard houses small appliances and a pantry. The house didn’t have many upper cabinets initially, so the few used other kinds of storage in the new design. “It’s only us,” says Anne. “So we don’t have a whole lot of stuff”
The few found the classic phone shown here (in working order!) On eBay and hooked it up to their telephone.
Arciform
Anne frequently sets up a part of a meal on an island and wheels it round the white cupboard and into the dining area.
A small bathroom with a shower before sat in this corner by the back door. The DeWolfs took it out completely to open the kitchen up.
Table, chairs, rug: Ikea; window: Rejuvenation Salvage; chandelier: Anthropologie
Have you blended classic materials with your modern design? We would really like to see your photo in the Comments.