A suburban Chicago family brings the festivities of Christmas into their kitchen - their favourite room at home.

Decorated Credenza

The Victorian kitchen was no place for the family. Typically reserved for hired help, the room was designed for hard work and no play. "Kitchens are so much more homey and beautiful now," says Pam Kendall, the homeowner, with her husband, Mark, of this 1890 Queen Anne-style house in a Chicago suburb. Upon purchasing the house in 2002, the Kendalls wanted the kitchen, indeed the entire dwelling, to reflect its original era while being bright and thoroughly modern. "The theme I had for the whole house, but especially the kitchen, was the expectation of the unexpected," says Pam. "When you walk into this house, your first thought might be that the kitchen, too, would have an old feel, but then you turn the corner and find a room you just wouldn't expect."



Festive Sink

Recognizing that, "like everyone today, we practically live in our kitchen," Pam enlisted David T. Smith, the noted kitchen designer and craftsman, to design and build cabinets and furniture that would hearken to the house's Victorian style. Because the kitchen is where the family frequently eats, does homework, and socializes, Pam decorates it for the holidays, too: "You might as well enjoy the holidays and the spirit where you spend most of your time."

Pictured: The kitchen sink is framed by rosemary plants, styled as topiary; an evergreen branch and shapely ornaments make for a holiday vignette.



Modern Victorian Kitchen

THE MAKEOVER
Although the goal was to make the kitchen modern, the Kendalls wanted to preserve the sense of the Victorian.

Cabinets: "Even though the cabinets are new," explains Pam, "I wanted them to look as if they were always here, original to the house." A mantel-like shelf conceals the vent hood.

Floor: An artist painted the pine floor with a pattern of green diamonds linked by a delicate fleur-de-lis motif. The green hue matches the walls.

Island & Pot Rack: A school biology table was transformed by David T. Smith into a work island, fitted with doors, drawers, and a microwave oven and topped with a gleaming culinary pewter surface. The hanging pot rack allows for easy access.



Tin Tile Backsplash

Backsplash: "When I saw the tin tiles that were on our basement ceiling, I wanted to reuse them for the backsplash," says Pam. The four repeating patterns were stripped of paint and hand-finished with an oil. The same tiles were used in the mudroom and in the downstairs bath. A new pot-filler spigot appears authentic.



Seasonal Flowers

Vintage white ironstone and pottery vases hold seasonal amaryllis and paperwhites.



Holiday Touches

The black-and-white theme of the kitchen is echoed in a cheerful striped ribbon from which a fragrant wreath hangs; fresh greenery decorates surfaces throughout.



Holiday Towels

Christmas-themed towels are hung as practical adornments.



Decorative Ornaments

A sterling silver trophy bowl contains assorted ornaments. A shimmering strand of beads adds visual interest.



Kendall Family Christmas Tree

The family Christmas tree is decorated exclusively with vintage ornaments and garlands.



Gift Wrap

Gifts are wrapped in black-and-white paper and tied with white and green ribbons.



photo credit: Keith Scott Morton