Five Tips for Designing a Philadelphia Craftsman Kitchen

It’s a common question we get often: How do I design a craftsman style kitchen that feels authentic and not cliche? We see many interior designers slapping craftsman doors on wood cabinets and calling it a ‘craftsman’ kitchen, but what did kitchens really look like during the craftsman era?

Built-in cabinetry surrounds a utility style wall sink.

Craftsman style spans from the 1860’s through the 1930’s and is known for it’s use of stained woods, clean, simple lines, and detailed tiles and cabinetry built by craftsmen of the era. Although craftsman style was popularized as a response to the industrial revolution, it did not take long for companies to start mass producing these materials, built-ins, and even entire homes. While most homes of this era had detailed parlors and porches, the kitchen was typically designed for staff (not to be seen). While a homeowner in the early 1900’s probably wouldn’t show off their utilitarian kitchen to guests, we love the modern contrast of a simple, charming kitchen in an older, more ornate home.

So, how do the interior designers at Airy Kitchens create rooms that honor the craftsman style without feeling like you just stepped out of a time machine? Here are some tips:

Vintage furniture pieces add charm and character. See more of this kitchen here.

1) Mix Built-ins and furniture pieces in your kitchen.

During the craftsman era the concept of a built-in kitchen was just starting to take hold. Kitchens would sometimes have one wall of built-in cabinets and the rest of the room would have freestanding furniture. In our kitchen remodels we like to give the look of separate furniture pieces by using contrasting colors, hardware, and details like feet to give the look of furniture pieces. Often, we will find an old hutch to include in a vintage style kitchen. One vintage piece can really add a lot of charm and history to a new renovation.

This new craftsman tile is being made the same way it was a century ago. See more of this kitchen here.

2) Craftsman Era materials are still being made!

Our favorite craftsman kitchens make use of authentic materials. When we were designing the kitchen pictured above, our clients wanted a beautiful craftsman style backsplash. Luckily, there are still companies that make authentic craftsman era products that will look and feel authentic in a new home or kitchen remodel. A few of our favorite companies are Motawi tile, Bradbury wallpaper, and Stickley furniture.

White cabinets keep the kitchen bright. Wood floors and moldings give a craftsman look. See more of this kitchen here.

3) Include lots of natural wood.

One detail that really shines in fine craftsman homes is the use of natural wood. Craftsman homes often had wooden floors, built ins, moldings, and ceiling beams. Of course, this often resulted in dark rooms. While it may feel brighter to use painted cabinets, consider using stained wood for floors or moldings. If you have a bright, sunny room, don’t be afraid to include lots of wood. It’s okay to mix different woods and stain colors. Consider lighter stains to keep your kitchen bright.

Cabinet details like brackets and exposed hinges look vintage.

4) Create vintage style cabinetry details.

The kitchen pictured above is an authentic craftsman kitchen and it’s full of gorgeous period details. Some details we would love to replicate in a new craftsman kitchen are inset doors, wooden end brackets, and exposed hinges. Note that these cabinets also have multiple panels on each door. This adds a nice detail, but nothing feels ornate. Craftsman kitchens like this were usually custom built on site. You may notice that most of these cabinets share framing. These are not separate boxes screwed together, but custom pieces built for the space. At Airy Kitchens, we don’t build them on site any more, but we do offer custom cabinetry that can be built in a similar fashion.

One detail we wouldn’t repeat from this vintage kitchen? There are no toe kicks. While we love the furniture look, modern home owners expect room for a toe kick. Especially in front of a sink. This photo is from a story on Old House Online, another great resource for people who love craftsman design.

You can have an island and modern appliances. Utilitarian design is the essence of craftsman style.

5) Utility is the top priority.

When we were researching craftsman kitchens online, many of the new kitchens were covered with ornate moldings, flared legs, and all sorts of silly details that look annoying to keep clean. There are many different ways to design a modern craftsman kitchen, but we believe simple details and a utilitarian feel are at the heart of the original craftsman style. So, don’t be afraid to mix contemporary fixtures, hardware, and appliances with your vintage style cabinetry. A useful kitchen is more important than a beautiful kitchen.

I've Got Steam Heat: Replacing Radiators In Philadelphia Kitchens.

Many homes in Philadelphia feature radiators. These cast iron behemoths are usually a kitchen designer’s worst enemy. They’re bulky, attract dust, and are typically located in front of windows (just where you wanted the sink to go!) Like most homeowners, you are probably focused on new countertops, high-tech appliances, or beautiful new cabinets, but don't overlook the basics. If your home uses radiators then they will be an important detail of how your new kitchen looks and works.

This new radiator was sourced to match older existing ones.

When replacing or adding radiators you have many options. Old-style cast iron radiators, which look best in older homes, are still being made and come in both ornate and plain styles, large and small.  Chances are good that our kitchen designers can find a model that nearly matches the radiators you already have.

Don’t let the current placement of your radiators limit your ideas. Radiators can be moved but this will involve getting under the floor to move pipes. While best done in the summer this work is not difficult especially if you are already planning to pull up and replace your flooring. If you're keeping the floor, pipes can be accessed through the ceiling of the room below. If that room is an unfinished basement, you're in luck!

This modern wall mounted radiator is sleek and easy to clean around.

Thanks to the large market for radiators in Europe there are plenty of contemporary radiators available including some which are positively gorgeous. These include low profile baseboard radiators, wall panel radiators, and radiators that practically double as sculpture. You don’t have to sacrifice your dream kitchen’s sleek, modern look because of radiator heat. However, installing european style radiators may cost more and it's important to note whether they use steam or hot water for heat.

Why use a radiator in the bathroom when you can have a towel warmer?

Bathrooms are the spot for that elegant alternative to a radiator: a towel rack. These home luxuries are heated by the water from your boiler and will warm your bathroom and your towels.  Like radiators, these come in both traditional and sharply contemporary styles. 

Determining the size and number of radiators for a space requires some complicated math and an understanding of the thermodynamics of the room.  You can find tutorials and calculators for this on the internet, but most of these calculations are best left to an HVAC professional.

Electric radiators can be great for small rooms.

Even small radiators can get very hot and may deliver too much heat to a tiny room. For a very small space, like a powder room, consider a wall-mounted electric radiator with a thermostat. There are many models available for cheap but these often perform poorly and have only an on/off switch. Higher quality units offer convenient features like child lock-out and they typically look sleeker too.

When in doubt, paint it black and put some marble on it.

While your old radiators are disconnected during the project you may want to consider having them renewed.  A build-up of old paint on the outside and sludge on the inside can decrease a radiator’s efficiency thereby increasing your heating bills.  The outside of a radiator can be sandblasted and the inside can be flushed out.

For those homeowners who don't want to move their radiators, consider installing a shelf,  towel rack, or even shoe rack above them. Why not use this powerful heat source to your advantage and dry those winter boots? If your radiator is an eyesore consider having Airy Kitchens design a custom radiator cover to match your cabinetry. Remember, radiators are not simply heating elements but can be an opportunity to add a special touch to your new kitchen or bathroom.

Where should you put kitchen outlets?

From microwave to phone charger, everyone needs outlets in the kitchen, but who wants to see a beautiful backsplash dotted with poorly placed outlets? Lets look at some options to hide kitchen outlets and places where you shoud keep them visible.

Our favorite hidden plugs, these angled outlets are easy to reach. See more of this contemporary kitchen.

1) Under cabinet plugs.

When your backsplash is the special feature of the kitchen (think marble slabs or a tile pattern you don't want to interrupt), under cabinet plugs will keep it looking uniform. These plugs can be hidden along with under cabinet lighting to create a functional kitchen that looks sleek. However, under cabinet plugs aren't as convenient to see or reach as standard wall plugs and may not be a good choice for homeowners with arthritis or poor vision. If you are going to keep an appliance like a coffee maker plugged in all the time, cords won't be hidden, rather they will dangle from above. 

This wall plug blends in seamlessly with it's surroundings and is placed in a convenient location.

2) Color coordinated wall outlets.

Because wall plugs are easier to see and use, every kitchen should have a few. This kitchen uses black outlets with simple flat cover plates to help them blend into the backsplash. Place wall plugs in an area where cooks and guests can easily charge their phones or anywhere you plan to keep small appliances like coffee makers or toaster ovens.

This outlet is easy to access and grouped with two light switches. See more of this charming kitchen.

3) Group outlets with switches.  

While we may be able to hide outlets under the cabinets, light switches aren't going anywhere. Light switches are usually placed in an area that's easy to see and convenient to reach. Sounds like a good spot to charge your phone, right? Grouping a wall outlet together with light switches will reduce the amount of interruptions in your backsplash. These white outlets with black switch plates are easy to see and look appropriate against white tile with black grout.

Add an outlet in your island. Love these counters? Learn more about soapstone and seven other counter options.

  4) Always add an outlet to your island.

Modern homeowners are installing more kitchen islands in place of breakfast tables because an island can be used for storage and seating. While a cook might like to have an outlet for small appliances, homeowners and their kids are likely to use these outlets everyday for charging phones and iPads. It's also safer to plug things in at the island instead of draping cords across walkways.

Remember, most cities have special rules about outlet placement and safety features like GFCIs (ground-fault circuit interrupter) in kitchens. You should check with your local buildings department or hire a qualified kitchen designer before installing electrical outlets in your renovation.  

Five Elements to Create a Beautiful Farmhouse Kitchen

Considering a farmhouse style kitchen? Lets take a look at the details that make this charming style perfect for Philadelphia homes.

Farm Sink

An easy way to make a big statement, farm sinks have become popular in kitchen design and are a great way to give your kitchen a farm house look. Farm sinks are available in stainless steel, copper, and cast iron, but our favorite is porcelain (sometimes called fireclay). These sinks give a soft look by breaking up square cabinetry with thick rounded corners. Farm sinks feel like a historic family heirloom that can be reused in your grandchildren's kitchens. 

Furniture Pieces

We love to design farm house kitchens with mismatched cabinets that look like furniture. This is a great opportunity to reuse historic built-ins or upcycle a furniture piece like we did here. Farm house style is not about perfection, so don't be afraid to use a few reclaimed pieces. It's okay if counter heights and drawer pulls don't match, it all adds to the charm! 

Bead Board

This simple and inexpensive material is an easy way to add farm house charm to any kitchen. Bead board was once built of multiple interlocking smaller boards with a groove, or 'bead' cut into each one. Today, homeowners can avoid the small pieces and purchase sheets similar to plywood that have this pattern cut into them. Bead board can be used as a backsplash, cabinet door panels, or a wall covering like this kitchen above. This material is a great way to add texture to your kitchen without spending a lot.

Traditional Flooring

Farm house kitchens should feel comfortable, a little vintage, and never fussy. We love to use wood floors in these spaces for a warm feel. Painting a wood floor also works great for this look. While ceramic and stone tile can work, avoid newer styles and shapes of tile that will give a modern feel. Have to repair your wood floor? Don't be afraid to leave seams or patches, they will only emphasize the age and character of your home. 

A Big Country Stove

What could be more farm house than a big vintage stove? A large stove is great for cooking big meals and a vintage style works well with the farm house look. If you are looking for new appliances, there are new stoves still built in this style. Or consider a refurbished antique stove. Even a newer stainless commercial stove will work better than a boring standard kitchen range. It's all about making a statement with a piece that will last a long time. So, even if you don't want a vintage look, purchase something that is built to last.

Farm house style works with the architecture and character of older homes rather than against it. Consider this style to give your Philadelphia kitchen design a comfortable and vintage feel. If you're looking for a kitchen design in the Philadelphia area, fill out our Contact Form.