After Finding Victorian Cabinets in an Antiques Shop, Everything Fell Into Place

This article details the comprehensive kitchen renovation undertaken by journalist and photographer Caroline Briggs in her four-bedroom Edwardian seaside home in Whitley Bay, Newcastle, England. After purchasing the property in 2014, Briggs initially postponed renovating the kitchen, which she dubbed “the kitchen of doom,” due to its dark, inefficient layout and the extensive work required. She recognized that any minor fixes would be temporary and decided to wait for a complete overhaul, a decision she ultimately found rewarding despite the stress and inconvenience, which included washing dishes in the bathtub for months. The renovation transformed the once-dingy space into the heart of her home, where her family now gathers for meals, board games, and creative activities. Briggs emphasizes the importance of incorporating meaningful items into the design, such as a sketch by Tony Curtis, which adds a personal touch to the space. A key aspect of Briggs's design philosophy was to honor the home's original Edwardian character. Although the oil-burning AGA stove was too costly to convert and had to be replaced, she retained charming elements like a stained-glass door and Victorian-glazed bricks. These original features served as a mood board, guiding her material and color choices, including the inspiration for her subway tile backsplash pattern. Briggs demonstrated a strong commitment to upcycling and sourcing unique, reclaimed items. A significant find was a nearly complete set of Victorian kitchen cabinets, including a glass cabinet, drawers, and five cupboards, discovered in an antiques shop by her sister. These were acquired for approximately $1,970 and were expertly integrated into the new kitchen by her joiner, with custom fixtures made from reclaimed timber filling any gaps. Another notable upcycling effort involved salvaging parquet flooring from her children’s school, which was being replaced. Briggs, along with a friend, collected enough of the original 1905 flooring to cover her kitchen, bringing a sense of history and community connection into her home. Briggs describes her decorating process as organic, avoiding rigid spreadsheets and instead shopping instinctively for finishing touches over four years. Her criteria for these items were simple: they had to be reclaimed to maintain the old-world aesthetic. She frequently browses eBay and Facebook Marketplace, trusting her instinct to find pieces she loves and then finding a place for them, rather than planning every detail in advance. She acknowledges that this approach might lead to occasional “bloopers” but ultimately allows for a more personalized and authentic design. Finally, Briggs highlights the critical importance of carefully selecting renovation professionals. While she praised her joiner, she experienced challenges with the builders, which prolonged the project. She advises others to seek recommendations for experienced, “old-school” builders who prioritize quality craftsmanship over flashy brochures, particularly when working with antiques and older structures. The article concludes with product recommendations for items that align with the renovated kitchen's aesthetic, such as white ceramic tiles, a glass dome pendant light, reclaimed wood shelving, and a vintage Turkish rug. #KitchenRenovation #EdwardianHome #Upcycling #Antiques #HomeDesign #ReclaimedMaterials #InteriorDesign #DIYRenovation #PeriodAccents #KitchenRenovation #EdwardianHome #Upcycling #Antiques #HomeDesign #ReclaimedMaterials #InteriorDesign #DIYRenovation #PeriodAccents

88 months ago

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