How to Refresh a 1920s Home, While Mixing Modern and Traditional Design Styles

Bathroom Renovation, Cabinet Shop, Design Trends, Kitchen Renovation, Whole House Renovation

May 25, 2023

With our recently finished Riverwood Place project, we’re pulling traditional and modern design trends from this reveal. This is one of our favorite design aesthetics, pulling from the original character of this home while adding modern ameneties. There are also unlimited opportunities to make each space your own when leaning into this aesthetic, which we love.

Mixing Styles, Modern and Traditional Elements

With an entire main-level gut and rework we were able to reuse some of the existing architectural details of the home. We found inspiration in the current dining room hutches as well as the oversized archway’s at the entry of the home. While opening up the entrance, we added an archway to connect the dining room and kitchen to create a seamless transition between the two spaces.

How to Refresh a 1920s Home, While Mixing Modern and Traditional Design Styles. Natural red oak floors, off white cabinetry with dark painted island, apron sink with stone drip ledge and mixed metals.

We incorporated modern details into the kitchen that paired nicely with the traditional feel of the home. A neutral palette throughout with off-white cabinetry and a rich accented island. We selected the Sage Scarlett Pendant with brass details to tie in with the aged brass hardware on the cabinets.

The new bar cabinet, custom-made in our cabinet shop, is the perfect example of a new piece that mixes design styles well; from the shiny cabinet latches, grid glass cabinet doors, corbels, and a beadboard backsplash. Yes, the beadboard is back!

How to Refresh a 1920s Home, While Mixing Modern and Traditional Design Styles. Updated bar hutch with aged brass hardware and dark paint color.

How to Refresh a 1920s Home, While Mixing Modern and Traditional Design Styles. Traditional dining room and original built in storage, enlarged arched entrance into the kitchen.

The kitchen custom cabinets from our cabinet shop are painted in Sherwin Williams Limewash. We finished the look with a Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze island, original refinished red oak wood floors, and stunning HanStone quartz countertops, from their new launch – Opimo.

Lean into a Neutral Color Palette with Wood Elements

The show stopper of a pantry is here to stay. With bypass doors and flush inset hardware, this piece will stand the test of time for any family. Not only is it beautiful but it is also more functional than your average pantry incorporating bypass doors and drawers for easy accessibility, our design team and cabinet shop really nailed the mix of modern and traditional on this.

How to Refresh a 1920s Home, While Mixing Modern and Traditional Design Styles. Rift white oak built in pantry hutch, sliding storage doors and roll out drawers.

Mudroom and Powder Room Addition

The back-of-house entry access to a new mudroom and powder bath is separated from the kitchen for privacy. The Benjamin Moore Heather Grey mudroom cabinets with floral cutouts, mixed with faux brick tile, wood accents, and traditional wallpaper with matching trim create for a neutral palette with a whole lot of traditional interest. It really is all about the details.

How to Refresh a 1920s Home, While Mixing Modern and Traditional Design Styles. Added mudroom with arched entrance, soft green blue painted cabinetry.

How to Refresh a 1920s Home, While Mixing Modern and Traditional Design Styles. Soft green-blue painted mudroom cabinetry with ventilation holes, and white oak bench.

The powder room features our favorite throwback paper from William Morris, Pimpernel. Read our recent post on adding color to your home, by adding color to architectural details, such as the baseboard and crown details in the powder room here.

How to Refresh a 1920s Home, While Mixing Modern and Traditional Design Styles. William Morris Pimpernel wallpaper, soft green blue wall paneling, faux brick tiles.

Live in the Details™ – A Primary Suite Must Have

The details in this space were well thought out by our design and cabinet team. At Jkath we specialize in custom cabinetry and are always looking for new ways to incorporate interesting details into every primary bathroom vanity. Check out our vanity collection here, available nationwide. The mosaic marble floor adds interest while the white oak vanity has clean lines and ball cabinet knobs to match the detail on the Islip Sconces. The arched mirrors paired with the cross-handle faucets create the perfect balance of modern traditional.

How to Refresh a 1920s Home, While Mixing Modern and Traditional Design Styles. Custom white oak bathroom vanity, aged brass hardware and traditional natural stone tile.

How to Refresh a 1920s Home, While Mixing Modern and Traditional Design Styles. Varied subway shower wall tile, natural stone marble floor tile.

UpCyclyed Materials, in a Historic Home

Designing around existing features gives a new life span and creates less waste. Installing a custom wood radiator cover is a great way to reuse the existing radiator and also adds functional countertop space. Original floor and wall tiles were reused, and with much debate on how to incorporate them, we’re thrilled with the final decision to honor their heritage.

We tied the entire space together with granny chic wallpaper and Demi Wall Sconces. The Hopkins Vanity is showcased in the Biscotti finish from our own Jkath vanity collection.

Shop the Jkath Signature Vanity Collection.