We've seen so many kitchen renovations move away from wood cabinets in an effort to modernize, but this kitchen makeover —designed by Portland-based architect Michael Howells and featured recently on Design*Sponge—manages to have both. It's a beautiful melding of vintage and modern. See the 'After' shot below:
Here's what architect Michael Howell says about the makeover:
I assessed and measured the existing space and also looked at the rest of the house for inspiration. I'm not a fan of period-faithful "retro" remodels, but I don't like the kind of default modern renovation that feels impersonal and disconnected from its context. So we planned this kitchen to have a little 1940s flavor (lighting, cabinet pulls, retro breakfast table), but we didn't go all the way... I felt a rich wood color with an interesting grain would give this kitchen warmth and texture and make it feel unique and special to its owners. The wood is very visually interesting, so we dialed it down with the rest of the materials. Countertops and backsplash are more subdued.
The Blue Fog tile from Heath's Modern Basics line really looks lovely with the wood, don't you think? See more photos and read all about the project at Design*Sponge.
Read More: Wood-Filled Kitchen Redo | Design*Sponge
Related: Before & After: 15 Creative Kitchen Renovations
(Images: Matt Niebuhr via Design*Sponge)
How To Make Perfect Bacon in the Oven
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Straw Mat from The ...
Find Your Style: 20 Classic to Contemporary Kitchens to Add to Your Inspiration Board
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Love the careful thought that went into this redo! Brilliant!
Wow! So calming and beautiful.
So pretty! And refreshing to see something so different from many other (also beautiful) kitchen renos you see these days.
This is fantastic. It seems so much lighter and brighter and just a flat out injection of style. I would love to have this kitchen
Oh WOW. This might be one of my most favorite ever of these posts. Love the backsplash, sink, overall effect.
Yeah this is a beautiful makeover, so functional and attractive and thankfully not white. So wonderful to see this! Congratulations!
That tile makes the kitchen, tying together the white of the sink and the (beautiful!) browns of the wood. What a beautiful, calming place they've made.
Though I like a more traditional style, the layout is exactly what I want in a kitchen. I've come to despise bulky upper cabinets and I long for the day when I don't need them (if it ever comes).
What a pleasant surprise. Not really a fan of the cabs but the overall effect is STUNNING.
THis is beautiful, and not just because it isn't all shiny white and stainless steel. This reminds me of an updated version of the kitchen I grew up with, I love it!
Also, the farmhouse sink really makes it. So good.
This is gorgeous, and such a refreshing change from what everyone else is doing. Love it.
Wait a minute! What happened to the upper cabinet storage? I agree that it can get overwhelming at times, but you still need it. Also, why is it that we can't see the full picture? There must be a stove and refrigerator. If the space between them and the counter/sink wall is excessive, this could be a very awkward room for work. The new material and lightness are really nice, but the old layout did have some practical features that are now missing.
oh ye of little faith...
#Oh Jell, can't understand the point about the "practical features" of the old layout...
In the before pic I only can see the same layout than in the after one, it only has upper cabinets and a not very practical mini-island taht cut the kitchen in two parts.
Could we suppose that the stove & refrigerator remain in the same place as before, only with better cupboards and countertop?
I love how they've used a lot of wood without making the kitchen seem dark. Really like everything they've chosen and it all works wonderfully together.
The Design*Sponge link has a lot more photos for details on placement, etc.
Michael Howells here. Wow! So exciting to see our project reposted on TheKitchn. I found it by accident after coming to the site to see a post about someone else's kitchen! Thanks everyone for your generous comments. OhJell, if I may suggest checking out the rest of the photos and my comments in the Design*Sponge piece, I think you'll see that we solved all storage problems and improved the flow. There is far more storage in this kitchen than in the old. Functionality should never be sacrificed for beauty--I agree. There is always a way to have both. Thanks again, everyone and TheKirtchn for reposting my work. --Michael Howells, Howells Architecture + Design