8 Total Kitchen Redos

After: Ideal Flow

Suffused with light throughout the day, the bright and airy kitchen is now a favorite gathering place for family and guests. The fake arches went first; then two original steel-sash windows were welded to make one larger window over the sink. A butcher-block surface overhangs the island on three sides, allowing seating and room for two cooks.

The Details
Style: The white apron-front farmhouse sink, beaded board, and face-frame cabinets with flush-inset doors and drawers are true to the era.

Tile: Custom-made ceramic field tile was matched to the white cabinets. On the accent tiles, the glaze was rubbed off to reveal a base color similar to that of the integral-color concrete counter.

Lighting: Pendant fixtures with pewter-and-glass shades wash the island in soft light. A tall pantry and broom closet utilize often-ignored corner space.