In renovating the kitchen of a brick townhome in Philadelphia courting again to 1891, Kevin Bennert, a essential on the Philadelphia interiors company Oak Design Undertaking, regarded around the pond. “We had been impressed by way of London townhomes that seamlessly mix the previous and new,” he explains. “The manager precedence was once to make it extra practical for the circle of relatives.”
Extra From Space Gorgeous

Earlier than the buyer commissioned the company, Bennert says, the kitchen “was once closed off from the remainder of the house with dated cabinetry.” After a complete intestine renovation by way of the Janusky Team—they went all the way down to the studs and bolstered flooring—the wall dividing the kitchen and eating area was once got rid of and the ground was once dropped to extend the useable area. Now, the kitchen is open, flooded with herbal mild, and nice for entertaining with the newly created area between the eating room and the patio.
Dish Zone
Easy sheer cafe curtains upload privateness however do not block daylight by way of the dishwasher and sink.
Vary Wall
“We up-cycled an vintage window to make use of as a partition between the variety wall and the eating room,” Bennert explains. “It created a visible separation that also let herbal pour in.” Curved uppers above the variety mimic the form of the island.
Access
It wasn’t till a structural engineer was once introduced in post-demolition that the design crew discovered they may in fact drop the ground (to make the ceilings taller).”It was once our greatest query mark,” says Bennert, “however finally, it was once a exceptional transformation!”
Bar House
A reflective backsplash bounces much more mild across the room.
Main points
Each inch of area was once applied—all the way down to a couple of inches for a spice rack within the decrease cabinetry.
See How the Kitchen regarded Earlier than
The rounded ends of a walnut-tamboured island speak in confidence divulge hidden cupboards. “It was once a spotlight to design,” says Bennert of the piece. Tumbled silver travertine flooring upload sparkle.
Nafeesah Allen, Ph.D. is a multi-lingual writer, unbiased researcher, editor, and contributing creator for more than a few nationwide on-line publications. She continuously covers private finance, circle of relatives, tradition, actual property, and discrimination. She additionally leads BlackHistoryBookshelf.com, a e-book evaluate site that highlights international Black histories arranged by way of language, theme, and nation. Observe her on Twitter or Instagram @theblaxpat.