Project Description
This 1920s Prairie School–style house in a historic district in St.
Paul, Minn., had a small, isolated kitchen typical of its time. The
current owners wanted to update the kitchen to be more visible and
contemporary.
Because of its historic nature, all exterior work
had to meet strict planning-department guidelines. “By adding to the
back of the house and switching the location of the family and dining
rooms, we elevated the status of the kitchen through an open plan,” says
project designer David Heide.
The historic language of the house
inspired the scale, size, and proportions of the additions as well as
the character of the finishes. Carefully arranging the space so it
retains a sense of compartmentalization, such as the division created by
the peninsula/breakfast bar, is a nod to that earlier design.
Cabinets, lighting, tiles, and other fixtures were designed and custom
crafted for the project. The refrigerator and undercounter combination
drawers are integrated into the cabinetry. The judges found these
details particularly appealing: “This is a … genuine interpretation of
Arts and Crafts,” they said.