EDMOND, OK — Jo Meacham is accustomed to renovating historic homes where she focuses on creating the perfect blend between their defining architecture and the modern conveniences many of her clients want.
The premise behind this Edmond, OK home is no different. Although it was built much more recently, its intent was to capture the look and feel of a circa-1800 colonial home.
The original homeowners meticulously created their period home, finding just the right elements that exemplify centuries-old living. “It was their dream to build this replica,” says the designer and principal of Urban Kitchens in Oklahoma City. “When they sold it to my clients, they gave them all the research they had done…where they had purchased the paint, hardware, light fixtures, etc.”
Her clients appreciated the original feel of the home and wanted to retain its primitive, Colonial Williamsburg inspiration. But the kitchen just wasn’t working for their household. “They have a big family,” says Meacham, noting that the clients have four kids whose friends frequently visit. Several extended family members live within a few miles and are regular guests as well. “There is constant traffic throughout the home, and there is always someone in the kitchen. They needed something that was more functional.”
FUNCTIONAL FLOOR PLAN
To accomplish that goal, Meacham focused on redesigning the floor plan, which previously included a small island that housed the cooktop and a large, round dining table located at one end of the kitchen. “When you walked into the home, there was a teeny entry, like what you would see in a colonial house,” she says, adding that it included a staircase and a narrow hallway before leading to the kitchen. “The table was located in the walkway between the front door and the back of the house, and as their family grew, there were too many chairs that they always had to move around and scoot out of the way.”
Meacham’s new plan eliminated the dining table, leaving plenty of room to expand the island and make it more functional in the process. At one end, she included seating for four so the kids can be in the kitchen while the wife cooks. Adjustable, open shelves on the opposite end provide ample space for storing spices and her clients’ cookbook collection.
Topping the island as well as perimeter cabinets with dark, matte soapstone offers an historic element. “My clients didn’t want anything shiny. They wanted a flat look,” she says. “Soapstone is also about as historical as you can get. It’s functional as well, and very forgiving. My clients are very casual and they don’t mind if someone spills something on the countertop. Scratches and mishaps lend themselves to their busy lifestyle.”
BRIGHTEN THE SPACE
The designer also relocated the original cooktop from the island, replacing it with a 48″ Viking gas range top and stainless hood that she positioned along an exterior wall. “They like to cook and they wanted a professional-style range top,” Meacham states, noting the addition of a griddle that is greatly appreciated by the husband who loves to make breakfast and cook pancakes for his family.
Soci Oxford Vault Brick tile serves as a backsplash that sheaths the range top wall and wraps around the corner, passing by the 36″ Kohler farm sink and extending to the 48″ Viking refrigerator. The 2″x6″ creamy white tile features recessed edges that provide added dimension.
“The tile is a cross between subway tile and brick, which can be found in other parts of the property, such as in the foundation and along walkways,” she explains, adding that its addition also fulfills her clients’ desire for an updated, complementary backsplash. “We considered doing a 4″ backsplash, which would have been more historic, but this tile offers a bit of texture.”
Its light color also brightens the space and contrasts against the dark maple cabinets, which came unfinished so they could be custom painted by a faux painter in old-fashioned Barn Red milk paint. The tile also juxtaposes with the wide-plank fir flooring, which, although original to the home, needed to be repaired, and new planks purchased and stained to match.
“The previous kitchen was very dark,” she says. “Not only did it look like a colonial kitchen, but it felt like one, too. The ceilings were short, at only 8′, and accented with barn beams. It really felt closed in.”
Meacham also helped brighten the space by enlarging the kitchen window above the farm sink. “We went from a 30″ window to a 60″ window,” she says, adding that its larger size helps offset the natural light lost when they eliminated a window to accommodate and relocate a larger refrigerator. “They have a beautiful view, but they couldn’t enjoy it. And, they couldn’t watch the kids when they were in the pool.”
A final wish from the designer’s clients was for larger double ovens. To accommodate this, Meacham replaced the original 27″ ovens with a Viking 30″ double oven with French doors. She complemented it with a Viking warming drawer.
“Fortunately, we had enough extra space in the cavity next to the fireplace,” she states, noting that the fireplace, accented with her clients’ white pottery collection, emphasizes the historical theme. “The fireplace is original to the house, and a kitchen fireplace is a traditional colonial characteristic, so my clients wanted to keep it in their new kitchen. This home is a great example of staying true to a home’s heritage while integrating current lifestyle elements. It’s also a great example of creating spaces that my clients love, rather than what’s on trend at the time.” ▪