A Historic Hingham Home Gets a Kitchen Makeover

Here in New England, we prize our antique homes—particularly those that line the main streets of our most picturesque towns. But remodeling them can be tricky. Homeowners want to preserve all of the charm of yesteryear, but they don’t want their interiors to feel dated.

It takes a savvy hand and respect for detail to freshen up an antique while protecting its pedigree. Roomscapes Cabinetry & Design Center was able to do just that for a grand historic home on Hingham’s main thoroughfare. The kitchen was the chief focus of the renovation. How did they do it? Take a look…

Before

As is often the case with antique homes, the kitchen felt cramped and dark before the remodel. The color selections—powder-blue walls, blue-gray countertops and checkerboard flooring—diminished the available natural light rather than playing it up. As a result, the heart of the home came off as chilly and uninviting.

After

Roomscapes changed up the palette for the transformation, selecting a buttermilk tone for the cabinetry, brighter granite countertops (Ivory Fantasy, to be specific) and cream-colored walls for a friendlier look that is open and timeless. For contrast, designer Judy Whalen selected oil-rubbed bronze fixtures as period pieces and black matte dining chairs that are more forward thinking. Clarke appliances throughout also provided an instant update.

While the configuration of the features didn’t have to be altered much, Roomscapes let in the light by swapping out the casement windows for historically accurate six-over-six windows. The reformed room now has a better flow and feel, with a highlight being a cozy eating nook with a built-in bench seat and china cabinets, that’s both an efficient and attractive use of space.

Designed by Judy Whalen for Roomscapes; appliances by Clarke; "After" photos by Dan Cutrona