This Kitchen Got a 1940s-Style Redo — Somehow, It’s Bright and Modern Too
Even when an older, outdated room DESPERATELY needs updating, it can be a bummer if the remodel doesn’t retain any vintage charm. It came time for Hilary Alexander — a singer with an internationally renowned swing band — to update the 1906 Craftsman house in Los Angeles she’s owned for 18 years and shares with her boyfriend and her two young boys.
So she hired interior designer Karen Hickey (Instagram: @karenhickeyid) to give the kitchen in her 1000-square-foot house a refresh that would brighten the small room and make it a more usable space, but do so in a way that would honor the decor of the decades Hilary loves so much.
She Wanted the Kitchen to Be an Extension of Her Personality
“Her love for the 1930s–1940s era runs deep in her bones and radiates around her,” explained Karen. “She wanted her kitchen to be an extension of her personality, as well as to be very functional for her busy family of four.”
They Had Custom Cabinetry Made in the Period-Specific Style
“The custom cabinetry was made to the period with inset doors/drawers and exposed hinges,” Karen describes. “The detail on the doors at the sink was period-inspired. Built-in eating areas were popular during the 30s-40s.”
“We hid the microwave behind a panel, and the microwave and coffee maker are behind doors,” Karen shares, of some of the ways they were able to modernize the kitchen while still retaining vintage character.
Actual Vintage Elements Brought the Space to Life
Other ways they kept the vintage vibes? They incorporated actual vintage elements.
“The wallpaper is authentic to the 1940s. The star of the kitchen is the refurbished vintage stove from the late 1920s,” Karen says.
The Stove Is Her Favorite Piece in the Kitchen Remodel
Karen’s favorite element was the refurbished stove from the late 1920’s. The classic piece set the scene for this vintage-inspired kitchen.
But to adequately accommodate seating for four in such a tight space, Karen had to reconfigure the layout of the kitchen. She did this by moving a doorway over and moving plumbing to the opposite wall — making this the biggest challenge of the transformation.
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