I Love the Vintage Find Worked into This Brand-New White Kitchen Makeover

I’m a firm believer that your home should follow that age-old wedding adage: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Sure, the blue might come down to personal color preference (there are many, many choices, and I’m a fan of most), but the rest is a foolproof formula for creating a home that feels lived-in and timeless. 

One of the biggest spots where a bit of old, worn-in patina is powerful? Your kitchen. Think about it: Everything is pretty shiny and functional in a kitchen, especially when you factor in appliances, so it’s always a good idea to work in a few well-worn pieces to keep the space feeling like it has a soul.

That said, doing that in a kitchen can be easier said than done, which is why I fell so hard for this previously published light and bright kitchen makeover from Laura Medicus of Laura Medicus Interiors.

When it came to updating the dark and cramped retro kitchen in a client’s home, Laura turned to a winning combination of white shaker cabinetry and a rich butcher block countertop to usher the space into modern times. By carrying the sleek white subway tile up the walls (oh, and adding an extra window!), the designer was able to triple the amount of natural light, which gave the snug space an airy and welcoming feel.

But, as gorgeous as all those swaps were, that’s not even my favorite part of this Before & After makeover. That moment goes to a stunning pair of antique wood doors that the designer sourced from Rare Finds in Denver and had installed in the space, which work effortlessly to bring a sense of history and timelessness to the room. Behind the wooden duo lies all the “uglies” of the kitchen, aka dry goods food storage, the microwave, and other small-scale appliances. 

Paired with antique brass pendant lights and a vintage-inspired rug, the end result is a kitchen that beautifully bridges the gap between effortlessly modern and enduringly classic.