It’s funny, writing this blog, at how it becomes so easy to fall in love with kitchen after kitchen, bathroom after bathroom – in styles that I never would have imagined liking before. I think it’s because, when an idea is well-executed, it … well, works… and is appealing for exactly what it is. You simply have to appreciate it.
This is one such kitchen – my week’s infatuation. It really shows how modern can be merged with colonial for a timeless look. The secret: The black and white color treatment is a sophisticated one — applied to an old-fashioned idea. It’s this twist that really takes the kitchen out of the realm of colonial cliche. I even love love love the colonial soldier wood carvings – again, their size and stark placement sets them up as modern art. Very cool.
It is completely possible to replicate this kitchen today. Use:
- Planked, stained cabinetry from Omega or Cabico
- Forged iron hardware from Acorn or Amerock
- Matte 1″ black tiles for the counter – a great touch that brings the kitchen into the modern
- Black ceramic tile, Armstrong Imperial Excelon black vct tile, or probably the best — commercial sheet
- Heat lamps from ? — I’m sure you must be able to get these from restaurant supply places
- And, if you have the ceiling height – dropping the wall cabinets from them, as in this kitchen, also is a definitive modern touch
Alas. If I only had house after house after house to renovate. But hey – I’m living vicariously through YOU! Send me photos of your latest projects!
What an interesting kitchen! I never would have imagined someone would suspend colonial cabinets in this modern way.
I like the way the chairs and dining table are two different finishes — brings the white of the kitchen cabinets into the dining area, without going overboard. I’ve been thinking our oak dining table seems too dark in our rather gloomy dining area, and this makes me think a painted table would indeed brighten things up. (Or, I could start using a white tablecloth for a simpler and less expensive fix, come to think of it.)
I’ve always been a lover of the floating cabinets. I always wanted to put double sided sliding glass door cabinets above my breakfast bench…maybe in my next house! x
I think its called “Ranch” not “modern colonial.”
Hmmm, m. I have gotten into the habit of calling many houses and interiors “colonial modern” rather than “ranch” out of concern that even one-story homes are not all ranches. Rather, they came from the Cape/colonial tradition. You can see this in their rooflines and often interior features. The “modern” part – comes out of the fact that they marry with more modernistic features, like step-down living rooms, coved trim, iconic baths. They are an eclectic mix and again – the roofline is very telling. “Ranches,” in my mind are more uniform in their adoption of a defined design inside and out including roofline. I think I even picked up this thinking from a definitive book – The Field Guide to American Houses. I’ll look at it again this weeken. Sounds like another chance for a big “definitions” post!
Just read these two posts on modern, colonial, and ranch. I am no expert on this, but, I have gotten the impression that the word ranch, when applied to a house, means, among other things, that it is a one-story house. It could be a modern ranch, a colonial ranch, a modern/colonial ranch etc. Meanwhile, you can have a modern house with more than one story, a colonial house with more than one story, but you can’t have a ranch with more than one story.
Not all one stories are ranches, I believe. For instance, a rambler is not the same as a ranch, and a one-story bungalow is not a ranch. This is my take on things, based on what I have read, and what I’ve picked up from my architecture-trained husband. But, I might not have it quite right. But then, I think a lot of people are confused on these terms. Sometimes, real estate listings refer to a 1910-era house a ranch, I guess because it is one story.
sumacsue, I am pretty sure that there is a “correct” answer to all of these definitions. Interestingly, the deeper we all get into this, the more terms we find. E.g:
ranch
Cape
colonial
modern
contemporary
mid century
mid century modern
international
rambler
split level
embankment
walk-out
cinderella
storybook
atomic
…I am sure there are more! I see a “definitions” page – our own little retro-wikipedia coming in 2009! Does anyone want to help?
I love this kitchen too, and am daydreaming about these cabinets! I have a 1955 ranch house with a Dutch front door, and a kitchen addition that was done in the 90s. The vinyl flooring and formica counters are dark grey, and the cabinets are an orangy oak! I think cabinets like the ones in this picture would bring the addition more in line with the original parts of the house. You mention Omega and Cabico as possible sources, but how do I look into those?
A very impressive kitchen! The black beams overhead really tie it up in a neat modern bow. The design of those forged iron cabinet hinges has a name which I can’t think of…..are they “strap” hinges?? I’m sure you know.
One more thought to toss into the terminology stew: can a split level also be a ranch?
From the stuff I have read, a split level is considered a next-gen style of ranch. I plan on doing lots of “field guide” to mid-century houses this year aiming to lay this all out more clearly.
Thanks, Pam! I’m sharing your thoughts on the split level / ranch.
Your field work on mid century terminology will be greatly appreciated, along with all else you do to inform and entertain us.
OMG! Is that actually a PASS with Infareds? Am I seeing this right?
While the Colonial is not really my thing…I am rolling on the floor and frothing at the mouth between words typed!
I NEED a heated pass! Imagine…the ham stays warm!
I like the term “modern colonial” especially for this room – the light fixture in the dining room is definitely a traditional, colonial style and the painted dining furniture is an idea from 18th century furnishing. I remember my mom and her friends in the mid 1960′s calling this style Early American….not Ranch. “Ranch” brings to mind “out West” , “Roy Rodgers”…..fake oil lamps out of copper on a wagon wheel for a chandelier … Wagon wheels styled into the wooden arm supports of some of the couchs and chairs…. the leather furniture (that wore like iron) with long horn steers or horses stitched into the backs of the couches…..I remember seeing them in turquoise, orange, and off white – and always in leather…….I think it must have 50′s up date of a basic mission style
Just bough a 1951 ranch in Miami… it has old Knotty Pine cabinets like these, but with the orangey varnish, and lots of knotty pine paneling, and a lovely Florida room with a knotty pine beamed ceiling. I am sol glad I found your site…. I want to update the house yet play up its original Old Florida character. The former owner put in a Mediterranean-style bath and if I have the money, I plan to rip it out and return it to its original glory. Any resources in the Miami area would be appreciated.