American Northwest Vintage Homes - Feature Article on Kitchens

Traditional with a Modern Twist
Bellingham, Washington
By Lauren Fritzen and Helen Solem
Photography by Oona Copperhill

When Jan and Dan Larsen* decided to update the kitchen in their 1923 Colonial Revival home in the South Hill neighborhood of Bellingham, they had some very definite ideas about what they wanted, both in terms of practicality and in terms of overall ambiance. The existing kitchen was small, square and dark. It had been remodeled in 1949, retaining none of the character of the house and lacking what every other room in the house boasts -- a remarkable view of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands. “The one tiny window over the kitchen sink was so high we had to stand on tiptoe to see out of it.”

Dan and Jan were not interested in recreating a 1920’s kitchen. “We wanted it to be modern but to reflect the architectural elements of the house.” Above all, they wanted to keep it simple, and to have everything flow towards the view. “We didn’t want a lot of fussy details to distract from the view. We wanted people to walk in and feel good, but not know specifically why.”

A limited amount of square footage and three separate entryways into the room posed some real obstacles in re-designing the space. After interviewing several contractors and kitchen designers -- and taking the time to view the work they had done in other homes -- they chose the team who shared their vision and welcomed the challenge of redesigning the small space. “We heard so many ideas, and most of them didn’t reflect our desires. But we stuck to our guns on the things we really wanted, and we chose an experienced team with an appreciation for old houses.”

The rewards of Jan and Dan’s forethought and resolution are strikingly evident as you enter their new kitchen. A sleek corner cupboard, with a lighted glass-front display case, dresses up the narrow front hall entryway and beckons you in. As you step into the kitchen, your eyes go straight ahead to the fabulous view, now brought into full focus by a large 5’ x 4’ window over the sink. A few feet to the right, where the kitchen used to end, a second window of matching size resides over the newly added banquette seating, made possible by eliminating a side porch and service entry. A French door leading to the garden adds to the newly-created indoor/outdoor connection.

During the 1949 remodel, linoleum was laid right over the original oak floor, and removing the mastic was a slow, laborious task. For Dan and Jan, it was worth it because the rich, golden glow of the restored oak flooring reinforces the traditional feel of the room.

To the right and left of the entryway, sleek cabinets take full advantage of the nine-foot ceiling height to offer ample storage. A compact, L-shaped bank holds cabinets, refrigerator, counter space and stove. Extra-wide countertops provide additional workspace, and drawers underneath reach to the wall for optimum storage.

Dan and Jan opted for a clean white palette of cabinets, appliances and countertops, which keep the strong vertical aspect of the cabinets from overpowering the room, and preserve their new light and airy atmosphere. The affect, however, is not minimalist. Lemon-yellow walls – a nod to the 1920’s – are bright and cheery, and plenty of glass-fronted cabinets keep the sunlight flowing while providing display space for their antique glass collection. Recessed lighting on the ceiling, over countertops and inside the display cases give the room a warm glow. Says Jan, “At night, all we need to turn on is the lighting over the counters and inside the glass cabinets. The light shines through, and the affect is quite elegant.”

* Not actual surname

Back to Feature Articles - Three Cinderella Stories