Vintage, yet modern kitchen

When you look at shelter magazines and design blogs as much as I do, it can sometimes feel like you've seen absolutely everything before. Been there, done that. Sometimes it feels like the more I dive into design, the harder it is for designers to truly knock my socks off and show me something I haven't seen before. Kitchens and baths seem particularly vulnerable to my growing design ennui as designers and builders continue to cling to the same predictable styles and materials.

But of course, every so often a room comes along that reinforces why I fell in love with interior design  in the first place. This updated vintage kitchen belongs to Bob Williams (of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams) and it, along with the rest of the home, is featured in this month's Traditional Home. And I love it. The mix of materials, from Carrara marble (an exception to my grip about tiring of seeing the same materials over and over again) to honed granite (a finish I'm loving so much more than polished right now!) and butcher block is superb, especially alongside those dark teal cabinets (brilliant!) and the mix of new and old appliances and lighting. It's the best of vintage and modern and perfectly suits an older, remodeled home. The overall effect is elegant, but also warm, inviting and intensely personal.

The modern red drum shades are a bold touch of color that matches the intensity of the deep teal cabinetry and beautifully sets off the black and white tile floor. The few upper cabinets along the back wall are painted off-white to blend in with the walls and help keep the room feeling open and bright.

While there's a lot to be said for ultra-modern, high tech appliances, they never have quite the same charm as a vintage piece. The concealed vent hood ensures that the focus stays put on the 1930s range.

In yet another nod to the home's period, Williams converted a vintage 1940s walk-in cooler into a pantry. Now how clever is that? I also adore the marble baseboards and wall-to-wall subway tiles. Talk about easy cleanup!