A new kitchen for Dark Harbor House. There are a variety of approaches to designing modern kitchens for historic houses – from very compatible to not-so-compatible. Kitchens are the most frequently remodeled room in American homes, which tells us there are many opinions about what makes for a good one. In my opinion, if it doesn’t destroy intact historic features and has a relationship to the character of the house, it’s probably fine.
Prior to restoration, Dark Harbor House had been operated as an inn for decades and had a purely functional commercial kitchen. In returning the house to use as a single family summer home, a new custom kitchen was built to feel related to the intact portions of the Colonial Revival style of the 1896 cottage without pretending to be historic.
Kitchen and bath design for historic houses is explored in depth in Chapter 3 of Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.
Dark Harbor House is one of 13 featured houses presented between the how-to chapters. Dating from c. 1760 to 1957 and located from Maine to New Mexico, these houses were photographed by noted architectural photographer David Clough for the book.
The 720 page award-winning and best-selling hardcover book is available online and in bookstores nationwide.
Signed and personalized copies can be ordered directly from the author in the shop on this page, click here: https://yourhistorichouse.com/shop/.
Bookstores can order copies from W.W. Norton.
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