Kitchen of the Week: Quaint Cottage Style at Historic Wilmington

This charming home had hardly been updated since its structure as part of a 1940s development for the port workers of Wilmington, North Carolina. The kitchen has been obsolete, but the home has a manageable size and superior bones, therefore it works perfectly as the client’s part-time residence. After gutting the original kitchen, designer Melanie Bowe reversed its location with that of a neighboring bedroom, opening it to your backyard and living space for a more modern layout. Vintage materials and plenty of classic accents add personality and patina that combines with the rest of the home.

Kitchen at a Glance
Location: Historical district ofWilmington, North Carolina
Size: 121 square feet

En Vie Interiors by Melanie Bowe

The brand new kitchen sits at the center rear of the home, using the outside and the living room. In the original layout it sat next to this room, which was formerly a bedroom, and has been closed off from the remainder of the home. Bowe switched the 2 spaces, turned a window into a double glass door and knocked down the wall between this room and the living room.

En Vie Interiors by Melanie Bowe

Bowe installed new reduced cabinetry and countertops on each side for a galley-style layout. Early-20th-century salvaged upper cupboards, complete with their original painted finish, add a sense of history. Antique brackets produce a shelf to the brand new range hood.

En Vie Interiors by Melanie Bowe

The kitchen sink sits on the opposite wall in the range and stove. This main sink includes a wall (and plumbing) with the original kitchen, currently a utility, laundry and pantry space. Here salvaged shelving, vintage art and Victorian glass drawer pulls combine with new Carrara countertops and cabinetry.

En Vie Interiors by Melanie Bowe

The kitchen’s galley-style layout fits the house’s age, but the new and open location feels more current. To incorporate the kitchen into the remainder of the home, Bowe opened the wall between this area and the living room using a brand new double door.

You can see into the kitchen and the garden as soon as you walk in the front doorway; the opinion straight through the home makes the home feel more expansive.

Floors: original oak

En Vie Interiors by Melanie Bowe

A 19th-century French fixture located on an antiquing trip hangs above a 20th-century painted worktable. As with the top chimney, the table’s worn, original paint finish adds texture.

Wall paint: Blue Bonnet, Benjamin Moore; dining chairs, table, rugs: vintage

En Vie Interiors by Melanie Bowe

This classic painted chest, also with its original finish, holds additional cutlery and serving dishes.

En Vie Interiors by Melanie Bowe

The owner uses this home part time and doesn’t need much storage. A small fridge and freezer to the left of the stove (not visible in these pictures) suit her perfectly.

Stove: Kenmore; teakettle: Le Creuset; hood: Nutone

See related