VINTAGE KITCHEN
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Before I turned my focus to residential interior design, I was a working mother with two children, running a print and pattern design business, and creating a home that could support everything life required of it. What began as a personal project designing my 1941 Cape Cod home, became the one that changed everything.
The project became something much larger than I anticipated. The home nearly doubled in size through a full renovation and addition, all while preserving the original front facade and respecting the scale and character of the neighborhood. The intention was always to make the addition feel seamless, and even now, it is difficult to tell where the original structure ends and the new work begins.
It was the kitchen that became the center of the project.
The original Roper range, which I sent to Nevada to be fully restored, became the foundation for the entire design. Around it, the kitchen slowly took shape through details that felt true to the home’s 1940s roots: retro-inspired appliances, vintage-style hardware and hinges, beadboard ceilings, creamy cabinetry, warm butcher block countertops, and a custom-fabricated range hood with a scalloped edge that gives the room so much of its personality.
Roman shades in a cheerful pattern and polished nickel lighting add softness and warmth, while the apron-front sink and long stretches of counter space make the kitchen genuinely functional for daily life.
Prior to the renovation, the kitchen was a small, one-person space without a dishwasher or microwave. Now, it’s open, light-filled, and designed to support daily life. It functions as a place for cooking, gathering, and the everyday rhythms of a busy household.
Throughout the home, built-ins and thoughtful storage were incorporated to make the space work efficiently. Trim details were inspired by classic 1940s profiles, both inside and out, allowing the home to remain true to its original character while functioning in a modern way.
Looking back, this project changed the trajectory of my career. It led to opportunities I had not anticipated and shaped the way I approach design today. It still feels timeless to me, and I’m still so proud of it.
