Kitchen & First-Floor Remodel
When Kathleen came back to Rural Renovation after her front porch project, she was ready for something bigger.
Her home — a late-1800s Victorian — had incredible character, but the kitchen and first floor weren’t working the way she needed. What started as a kitchen remodel quickly turned into a full first-floor transformation, including the laundry/back entry, new flooring, and a rebuilt back porch.
This project became a balance of preserving history, solving hidden structural challenges, and creating a space that finally worked for everyday life.
The Challenge
Like many older homes, the biggest issues weren’t what you could see.
Before any design decisions could be made, we uncovered significant structural and layout challenges — including a kitchen floor that had settled nearly six inches across the room. The space itself was small, dark, and inefficient, with wasted cabinetry and a layout that made everyday use frustrating.
On top of that, the goal wasn’t just to modernize the space — it was to do it in a way that honored the home’s original Victorian character.
The Solution
Matt and Amber worked together to approach the project from both a structural and design perspective.
Matt focused on what you don’t see.
The kitchen was taken down to the exterior walls and rebuilt from the ground up. Instead of pursuing costly foundation work, he reinforced and re-leveled the space from within — stabilizing the structure while avoiding unnecessary expenses and disruption to the rest of the home.
Amber reimagined how the space could work.
The entire kitchen layout was redesigned to improve flow and usability. The awkward peninsula was removed, appliances were relocated, and custom cabinetry was designed to maximize every inch of space.
The result included:
A built-in pantry surrounding the refrigerator
Pull-out shelving in all lower cabinets
Hidden trash storage
Smart solutions for previously unusable areas
Design-wise, the goal was to modernize without losing character. Inspired by the Art Nouveau era, the space incorporates rich green tones, antique brass finishes, warm wood flooring, and handcrafted details — all while preserving original trim and architectural features.
The Result
What was once a cramped, inefficient kitchen is now a space that feels open, functional, and true to the home’s history.
By solving structural issues first and designing with intention, the finished space not only looks better — it works better. Every detail was considered, from layout to lighting to materials, creating a kitchen that feels both timeless and tailored to Kathleen’s daily life.
This project is a reminder that in remodeling, the best results come from balancing what’s behind the walls with what’s in front of them.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“As usual, Matt and Amber Parker at Rural Renovation did an amazing job. I highly recommend them!” — Sue Smith
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