There are plenty of great Ridgewood homes for sale, including some dating back to the Victorian era! Sometimes older homes need a bit of work, but updating a period home can be a bit of a mixed bag. A remodel is necessary, but a complete overhaul could end up destroying the home's unique, historic beauty and rustic charm. This is especially true in the kitchen. How do you strike a balance between historic charm and modern convenience? Here are a few tips.
Plan
Go through the entire kitchen and determine what you want to keep and what you want to replace or add. Do the rustic, hardwood floors still work, or would you rather have modern tile? Perhaps the ornate faucets above the sink are worth keeping, but the pipes below need to be replaced. Talk to a contractor who understands old homes and can help you make these decisions.
Research
As you're determining how to approach the project, a little research into the period is helpful. When was your kitchen built, and what did other kitchens look like back then? What modern stylings and accouterments would fit in with that era, and which ones would stick out like a sore thumb? Would a kitchen island be out of place, or would it blend in with the decor? What style of cabinets best fits your decor, and should they be painted or stained? Look at specific elements from the era that you like, and make an effort to incorporate them into the remodel.
Colors
When you update a period kitchen, you're mainly looking to preserve the aesthetic. No one wants to keep their wood-burning stove because it works so much better than a new gas or electric range. One of the best expressions of your aesthetic is through color. The walls desperately need a fresh coat of paint, but if you keep the period color scheme as a theme, it will help you stay true to the original look. For instance, darker, richer colors set the tone in Victorian homes, but in an Edwardian kitchen, you'll want lighter pastels, like blue, grey, and lilac.
Hiding the Modern
With appliances like your microwave and refrigerator, you want the most modern model you can get. They may not fit the aesthetic, but they'll function better, last longer, save energy, and provide more overall convenience. So what do you do about a big, white, modern fridge in the middle of your Victorian kitchen? Consider a facade, made to look like an older refrigerator, that goes over the new one. Or create a nook for your refrigerator to fit into, and put cabinet doors on it that match the older style. The same can be done with your microwave. Smaller appliances, like toasters, can even be placed on a track to slide out automatically when the cabinet door is opened. Your modern appliances get hidden away out of sight, preserving your period aesthetic, but are still easily accessible whenever you need them.
Light Fixtures
Old-style light fixtures are an easy way to amplify the style of a particular period. They may hold modern LED bulbs, but they still look like they belong to another time. Replacing the light switch and outlet covers with something that has a more antique look can help too.
Remodeling an old home can be a delicate balance, but our agents can help you figure out the best way to go about it. Contact us if you're ready to make Bergen County your new home.
