Preserving Colonial Charm in St. Paul Renovation
Finally feels like an understatement. Two years ago we met these wonderful clients to transform their 1922 Colonial into a modern day dream kitchen that lives up to all the charm and detail of the rest of the house. Queue a global pandemic and months of appliance delays we are thrilled to finally see it complete.
Nestled on an idyllic, mature tree-lined St. Paul street, the Princeton Avenue home is filled with character: traditional Colonial grand floor plan, original built-ins, stained glass windows, and wash basins in each bedroom’s closet. Jkath Design Build was hired to renovate the kitchen, rear entry mudroom and powder bath to accommodate modern day living while enhancing the home’s traditional design.
Custom Cabinet Details
Thoughtful, understated embellishments throughout the kitchen are what make this design feel so special. Every corner you turn there are sweet moments custom-made by the Jkath team: corbels, v-groove backsplash, a mix of wood and polished nickel hardware, paneled integrated appliances, as well as more favorite details noted below.
When this client dropped the hint she would be interested in colorful kitchen cabinetry, that is when this vision came alive. Landing on Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue for the perimeter and a rich walnut island. Custom-turned legs on the island were inspired by the stair banister in the home.
A nod to traditional larder cabinet air vents, a delicate diamond decoration was cut into the upper cabinets around the perimeter.
Built-in Booth
In tact from the original kitchen, a built-in dining booth was essential to incorporate into the new design. Despite best efforts, the cabinet shop team did have to rebuild the booth, but now the walnut finish matches the island and shelving throughout.
The newly built booth better fits the family of four. The open bottom highlights one of our favorite tiles, the Tribune Mosaic by Jeffrey Court. A vintage acorn pendant found locally illuminates the booth.
Mudroom
A functional mudroom is a Minnesotan necessity. Wood peg hanging rail over custom v-groove paneling provides hanging storage for jackets and bags. Inside the rear entry is a custom walnut cabinet adorned with hardware salvaged from the previous kitchen.
Powder Bath
Bold pattern + classic contrasting color scheme makes for one fun powder bath. The newly released Grand Central Brooklyn Marquina marble mosaic tile by Jeffrey Court paired with Underwater World wallpaper will live on as a favorite combination for all time. The console sink with polished nickel finishes pays homage to the traditional design of the home while feeling contemporary against to the wallpaper.
This renovation was well worth the wait. This past year has thrown a lot of curveballs at the design and building industry, not to mention homeowners trying to complete a home renovation. Patience is the biggest design trend of 2020-2021. In the end, the Princeton Avenue renovation looks how it should have been for the last 100 years. We are honored to have designed and built this project.
Cheers to the Weekend,
Katie Wick + the Jkath Team
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