Project Reveal:Mid-Mod Kitchen & Dining Remodel
Come along with us as we showcase this mid-mod inspired kitchen and dining renovation!
This classic 1950’s era rambler located in the heart of the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota had been completely untouched aside from some interior paint color adorning a few walls. Having lived in the home for 13 years, the current homeowners had done their best to extend the life of the kitchen, but realized they needed some fresh eyes and ideas in order to obtain their desired outcome.
They approached us wanting to breathe new life into this space, seeking an updated kitchen that seamlessly blended modern amenities with the unmistakable flair of mid-century modernism. Not only were we excited to take on the challenge, but we quickly learned that these lovely homeowners were something special: just like their home. While appreciating the craftsmanship of the classic MCM design, it was important that it not only fit their family and lifestyle, but that it would also remain timeless and relevant for others to enjoy in the future.
Partnering with Kenzo Construction, our team knew that improving the kitchen layout, its relationship to adjacent rooms, and extending natural light were key in how we would go about rejuvenating this space. In any Milton House project, we seek to honor the home's architectural bones, and this midcentury gem is no exception. In keeping with the MCM aesthetic, we incorporated warm woods, a classic modern color palette, clean lines, natural light, as well as bold accents to infuse fresh, contemporary flair.
While looking closely at the adjacent spaces and how they impact one another, we sought to achieve a layout that improved the usability and enjoyment of not only the kitchen, but also the neighboring living and dining rooms while feeling natural to the home. The living room now hosts a seating group that is anchored on its original fireplace and allows ease of connection to the kitchen. The dining room has more visual and acoustic access to the kitchen while appearing more spacious.
The kitchen window was relocated and enlarged, then a few walls were removed. Through these adjustments, we gained an inpouring of natural light toward the center of the home. Instead of a typical wall separating the kitchen and dining room, we opted for a slat wall—offering visual connection between the two rooms, and a little light share from the kitchen window. While the slat wall is a design feature & nod to mid-century modernism, it also satisfies a common theme of newly built spaces: open concept living, congruent to how many people live and entertain today. Rather than keeping each room operating separately, the three spaces have retained their own individual identity in a semi-open layout but also foster connections through gathering and contribute to a stronger sense of place as a whole.
Before
After
Crafting culinary masterpieces here will pose no challenge! We moved away from a cramped and outdated eat-in configuration and introduced a streamlined galley layout that more than doubled surface space for these home owners. This simple and efficient design is both sophisticated and utilitarian; everything within reach and tucked in its rightful place. Look out, Martha!
We featured custom cabinetry by Nest Woodworking and chose a deep shade of Benjamin Moore's Blue River. Gorgeous cherrywood details were incorporated to bring balance and warmth, tying into some of the home's existing original finishes. We added a thin band of cherry that sits just below the quartz countertops (Hanstone Royale Blanc) as well as at the toe kick below the perimeter cabinets. The MCM slat wall and the hood wrap were also custom-stained to match in this rich cherry finish.
When considering the introduction of new finishes and fixtures, we were excited to use these classic MCM Color Cap Globe pendants in ochre & nickel by Dutton Brown, a Minneapolis lighting manufacturer. The ochre color was the perfect accent to our base palette of deep teal and warm cherry woods for a playful statement in both the kitchen and dining. It was also a lot of fun working with Shelfology on the custom floating steel shelves for the open storage along the prep wall, which offer a modern approach to storing everyday dinnerware, glasses, and mugs. This open shelf concept keeps the space feeling more accessible, airy, and casual than a traditional enclosed cabinet.
Settled into their completed renovation, this family is well on their way writing new stories of laughter, cherished memories, and days and nights spent together. Their kitchen is now more than just a place for meal prep; it has become a center point for family life. A teenager cozies up to the island with a pile of homework while dinner simmers on the stovetop, a family dog is under foot asking for a treat, and friends drop in to gather around, making memories and sharing laughter that will fill the walls for generations to come.
No better compliment than another project with our special clients—this family loved the main remodel so much that we are working on a bathroom renovation. Stay tuned for a mid century bathroom renovation coming up!
See the full project here!
Remodeler: Kenzo Construction | Cabinetry: Nest Woodworking | Photography: Spacecrafting
Shelving: Shelfology | Lighting: Dutton Brown | Countertops: Hanstone Quartz
