Historic Home Influences Kitchen Design

When it comes to remodeling or new-build projects, homeowners’ preferences are paramount. In the renovation of this 1897 home in Grandview, OH, Shannon Tannehill’s clients—both doctors with a child and a love for nature—expressed their desire for a tranquil interior that avoids trendy designs.

“They prefer simplicity and modesty,” says Tannehill, a UDCP with The Cleary Company in Columbus. “They wanted a design that they would appreciate for years, one that harmonized with the home’s original style.”

The blue/green color of the island and bar/drop zone contrasts with the classic, bright white painted perimeter cabinetry and zellige tile backsplash. Walnut accents add warmth to the ventilation hood surround above the induction cooktop and the refrigerator panels.

“They were very receptive to our ideas for creating their new space,” Tannehill continues, noting contributions from Laura Watson, lead designer; Rob Lindeboom, project manager; Ben Ludlow, lead carpenter; and Luis Gomez, trim carpenter. “They truly trusted the design process and our expertise.”

Respecting the House’s History

With relatively quiet homeowners, Tannehill also took cues from the house itself.

“In a way, we treated the house as another client,” she explains. “The home is a registered historical site, and we wanted to preserve its charm. We faced some limitations due to the house’s age and had to work around quirky features that made sense a century ago but not today.”

Maximizing Light and Space

The original layout included a powder room within the kitchen area, which posed a space challenge.

“Having the powder room in the kitchen was awkward,” she says. “But as the only bathroom on the first floor, we couldn’t eliminate it. Relocating it was a challenge we had to tackle.”

The team reconfigured the space by borrowing from the hallway and adjoining family room, creating a compact powder room with just enough space for a toilet and sink.

Moving the powder room allowed Tannehill to add a seating area with a live-edge table and an L-shaped bench. Adding a window on the back wall, overlooking the screened-in porch, brought much-needed natural light into the kitchen.

“The kitchen lacked natural light, so removing the powder room allowed us to add more windows, including one above the sink,” she explains.

Integrating new windows wasn’t straightforward. The team retained the original windows with decorative sashes.

“We didn’t want to replace all the sashes just because we were adding windows,” Tannehill notes. “We aimed to complement what was already there, so we searched for antique sashes that matched the originals. We found suitable ones at a local architectural salvage, which was a highlight of the project for me.”

Matching the original wood trim and molding around the new windows throughout the house was another challenge.

“When we added the front door, foyer, and new windows, the trim had to match the original as closely as possible,” she says. “Luis, our trim carpenter, did an excellent job making it look like it had always been there.”

Attention to Detail

The theme of making new elements look original was consistent throughout the project. “We wanted to avoid anything too modern while updating the home for contemporary living,” Tannehill explains.

The cooktop is located on an angled wall that couldn’t be changed due to existing HVAC/plumbing components. Tannehill had to creatively use every square inch of the room.

Tannehill retained the exposed brick in the in-kitchen bar/drop zone, where her clients store large pots and pans and charge electronics. Walnut floating shelves and a quartz countertop made from Cambria’s Gladstone were added. The upper sections of the tall cabinets feature metal grids with a cloverleaf design from M-D Building Products.

“I love using metal grids right now,” she says. “They let you see inside the cabinets like clear or seeded glass but add texture and break up the cabinet expanse.”

The custom cabinetry was painted Sherwin Williams’ Jasper, accented with Honey Bronze square bar pulls from Top Knobs.

“This color is versatile,” she explains. “It appears green in bright light and more navy when the lights are dimmed. It’s a mix of blue and green, bringing a natural element indoors. It’s a beautiful neutral.”

The island features the same green/blue hue, contrasting with Sherwin Williams’ Pediment for the perimeter cabinetry and panels for the Fisher & Paykel dishwasher drawers. The Blanco Silgranit Cinder sink, with a Moen pulldown faucet in Matte Black, complements the classic bright white paint of the Marazzi 4″x4″ Gesso zellige tile backsplash. Walnut panels for the GE Monogram side-by-side refrigerator and accent trim for the ventilation hood surround above the Bosch induction cooktop add warmth. Other appliances include a built-in GE Monogram oven, speed oven, and warming drawer.

The cooktop’s placement on an angled wall was unavoidable due to existing HVAC/plumbing components.

“Angled corners are tricky,” Tannehill says. “They often leave dead space on either side, so we had to utilize every other inch of the room. There isn’t much space in front of the cabinetry, so we had to be careful where we placed the island. Fortunately, the family is small, so a large island wasn’t necessary.”

Antique Bronze Cinq pendants from Progress Lighting hang above the island, complementing the four-light Oiled Burnished Bronze pendant ceiling light from Savoy House in the seating area.

“We aimed for soft, neutral lighting with an antique look,” she says. “Clear glass pendants can show dust, so the seeded glass in these fixtures is perfect for the space.”

Maximizing a Small Powder Room

Maintaining the powder room was crucial, as it is the only bathroom on the first floor. Borrowing space from the hallway and family room, Tannehill created a compact powder room, just under 3’x4’, with enough room for a toilet and sink.

“The room is tiny, so finding fitting fixtures was challenging,” she notes.

A small pedestal sink provides a place for handwashing, while a pocket door eliminates door swing clearance issues. A round mirror contrasts with the squared angles of the wallpaper and floor tiles.

“I love wallpaper,” Tannehill shares. “The client chose this paper because it makes a statement without being too colorful. Powder rooms are perfect for bold designs. It’s a small space that makes a big impact.”

Throughout the renovation, the goal was to respect the home’s historical charm while making it functional for modern living. By carefully selecting design elements and preserving original features, the team created a space that honors the past while embracing contemporary needs.