Loo-San Juan Kitchen, Berkeley, California

♦ 2003 Preservation Award, Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association
♦ “2003 Great American Home Award,” National Trust for Historic Preservation, Old House Journal, The Original Restoration Magazine, December, 2003
♦ Preservation, The Magazine of the National Trust, November/December, 2003

The remodeled kitchen in this 1895 Colonial Revival home was part of a larger renovation of the home. The original kitchen had been remuddled sometime in the 1960's and had little relation to the other grand rooms located on the home’s main floor. The ceilings had been lowered to 8,’ small windows installed, and plywood cabinets looked out of place. During the remodel, the original ceiling height was restored and finished with metal panels which were common at the turn of the century. A colonial style chandelier was installed and the wall between the kitchen and sunroom was replaced with a high counter and period pendants. Panel cabinets replaced plywood ones and white 3" x 6" “subway” tile was selected because it was typical of the period. The backsplash was highlighted with metal trim to match the ceiling and brushed silver pulls and appliances pull the ensemble together. A high, tripartite window replaced the 1960's windows and a hand-painted, porcelain sink with an old-fashioned apron finishes this colonial kitchen.