Kitchen of the Week: Quaint Cottage Style in Historic Wilmington

This charming house had barely been updated since its construction as part of a 1940s development for the port workers of Wilmington, North Carolina. The kitchen was obsolete, but the home has a manageable size and good bones, so it works perfectly as the client's part-time residence. After gutting the original kitchen, designer Melanie Bowe flipped its location with that of a neighboring bedroom, opening it to the backyard and living room for a more modern layout. Classic materials and plenty of antique accents add personality and patina that blends with the rest of the house.

Kitchen at a Glance
Location: Historic district of Wilmington, North Carolina
Size: 121 square feet

The new kitchen sits at the center back of the house, with access to the outdoors and the living room. In the original layout it sat next to this room, which was previously a bedroom, and was closed off from the rest of the house. Bowe switched the two spaces, turned a window into a double glass door and knocked down the wall between this room and the living room.


Bowe installed new lower cabinetry and countertops on either side for a galley-style layout. Early-20th-century salvaged upper cabinets, complete with their original painted finish, add a sense of history. Antique brackets create a shelf for the new range hood.


The kitchen sink sits on the opposite wall from the range and stove. This main sink shares a wall (and plumbing) with the original kitchen, now a utility, laundry and pantry room. Here salvaged shelving, vintage art and Victorian glass drawer pulls combine with new Carrara countertops and cabinetry.


The kitchen's galley-style layout fits the home's era, but the new and open location feels more current. To incorporate the kitchen into the rest of the home, Bowe opened the wall between this space and the living room with a new double door.

You can see into the kitchen and the backyard as soon as you walk in the front door; the view straight through the house makes the home feel more expansive.

Flooring: original oak


A 19th-century French fixture found on an antiquing trip hangs above a 20th-century painted worktable. As with the upper cabinetry, the table's worn, original paint finish adds texture.

Wall paint: Blue Bonnet, Benjamin Moore; dining chairs, table, rugs: vintage


This antique painted chest, also with its original finish, holds additional cutlery and serving dishes.


The owner uses this home part time and doesn't need much storage. A small refrigerator and freezer to the left of the stove (not visible in these photos) suit her perfectly.

Stove: Kenmore; teakettle: Le Creuset; hood: Nutone

URL: Kitchen of the Week: Quaint Cottage Style in Historic Wilmington http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-21279.html