Traditional and Timeless - St. Paul MN Kitchen Remodel

Honey Oak and Divided Spaces

When I initially walked into this kitchen, I knew that the space was no longer suiting the clients' needs. Observing the room, it was easy to tell that the previous updates were built in the 1980s—defined by heavy honey oak and the segmented spaces of the "Golden Days."

While talking with the clients, we decided that the ceramic tile had to go, along with the honey-finished oak cabinets. We also wanted to reconfigure the space to incorporate an island.

The New Vibe

Our main goal for the new design was to create a more functional space while keeping the design elements in line with the era of the home. We did that by relocating the refrigerator to make way for a large island, and incorporating functional cabinetry like an appliance cabinet, pullout tray dividers, spice drawer, broom closet, and message center with charging area.

Since we wanted to honor the soul of this 1900s historic home, we avoided anything overly trendy or hyper-modern. Instead, we leaned into a classic, organic palette. We went with classic white inset style cabinetry with traditional details like corbels and paneling on the island, arched detail on the toe kicks, and traditional crown molding to tie it all together. We accented the cabinetry with a classic white subway tile and Cambria quartz countertops that resemble black soapstone. We brought in a little color on the island and chose traditional pendant lights and cup pulls.

We chose materials that will age beautifully over time and never go out of style—with warm woods and soft whites ensuring the new kitchen honors the home's past while functioning flawlessly for its future.

Transforming a historic 1900s home comes with its challenges, but the rewards are always worth it. Stripping away the non-original '80s updates allowed us to reintroduce materials that age beautifully and feel grounded in history. This kitchen is proof that you don't have to sacrifice character to get that bright, functional, and seamless layout required for modern life.

Dreaming of transforming an outdated space in your own home?

Contact Jessica at hello@jessicaheininteriors.com to get started on your design journey.

Written by: Anne Lewis (Design Intern)