Before and After: A 1920s Kitchen Makeover

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Undergoing a complete kitchen renovation without changing the layout of the space sounds daunting when the kitchen in question is dated and dimly lit. But if this dramatic makeover of a West Los Angeles home is any indication, it can be done.

Designer Jessica McClendon of Glamour Nest was tasked with blending 1920s architecture with the more mid-century modern personal style of her clients. Of course, there was one other challenge in place: “They didn’t want to add on to the house or open up walls, so I used what was there and made a few tweaks to give them more storage and counter space,” says McClendon.

Using the layout provided as well as some of the pre-existing fixtures, McClendon worked with her clients to create a kitchen that utilized the 15-foot by 13-foot space more efficiently. Depending on simple, inexpensive materials—her clients requested durable, low-maintenance products—McClendon transformed the kitchen into a bright and sunny area that’s miles away from the previously dingy-looking room.

She stuck with timeless materials like quartz and porcelain to accent the kitchen and made the windows white to give the feeling of more light. Swapping out the old yellow wall color for chicer

subway tile

and updating the floor to a lighter option further modernized the space.

But the biggest change (and one of McClendon’s personal favorite things about the space) is undeniably the bright teal cabinetry. “Painting the lower cabinets teal made all the difference,” says McClendon. “They add a fun pop to an otherwise simple and classic kitchen.”

One thing McClendon did keep from the old kitchen: the antique oven and stove. Paired with more modern and vibrant pieces, it lends a unique charm to the kitchen. It’s the perfect way to incorporate some of the original vintage character of the house.