A kitchen with an island, marble backsplash and matching countertops with a checkered rug with tassels resting on checkerboard marble floors.

Every space has a story to tell. Our latest project, renovating an 1884 Italianate Victorian home, embodies this philosophy. Inspired by the vibrant spirit of Mexico City and the legacy of renowned architect Luis Barragán, this kitchen reimagines history with an artful touch.

The brief from our clients — "Our inspiration began with a guided tour of Gilardi House in Mexico City led by the son of the original homeowner—a passionate advertising executive who enticed Barragán out of retirement to realize his vision. We felt a profound connection to its legacy as we listened to evocative tales of joyous gatherings and everyday life woven into the home's fabric. We wanted to live in a space that could capture similar feelings."

With our clients' desire to capture this enchanting atmosphere, we set out to create a space that honors the home's rich history while embracing a contemporary aesthetic. Our design approach centers on two key goals: balancing history with modernity and creating a transcendent experience.

Keywords

transcendent

contemporary

unconventional

A wide-angled view of a kitchen with a window with rosette corners on its trim, and two counter-height stools at an island with a vase of dahlia blooms.

Honoring the past

The clients, new to Portland by way of Brooklyn and having roots in France, aimed to update their Victorian home while preserving its historical character. The kitchen pays homage to traditional European influences with a striking black-and-white marble checkerboard floor, serving as a bold anchor for the monochromatic palette.

A geometric light fixture with two suspended spherical bulbs hovers over a kitchen island in a room with tall green cabinets and neon accents.

A vase of fresh-cut flowers and a wooden bowl with colorful fruit rest on the counter of a kitchen island with drawers and cabinets.

A floating wooden shelf above the marble counter holds two taper candles with decorative holders, hand-carved wooden bowls, and a picture frame.

When standard DOESN’T FIT

Design adjustments were tailored to the 6’-7" client's needs, including a taller island to ensure comfortable food preparation and a range hood with curved edges to eliminate head-bumping risks - a simple move with profound results.

Custom cabinet pulls

Adding a touch of unexpected modernity, the custom cabinetry showcases integrated pulls in a vibrant green hue.

Collaborating closely with our cabinet maker, we explored multiple prototypes to perfect the meeting of glossy and satin materials, ensuring both functionality and durability with a large enough gap for easy grip. Ultimately, we discovered the ideal solution that combines usability with a sleek, glossy finish.

Incorporating Italianette details

To emphasize the vertical proportions, a typical characterization of Italianate homes, the design team eliminated upper cabinets and opted for open shelving. The walnut shelving at the bar was inspired by the home's original decorative detailing.

A close-up shot of three floating wooden shelves holding iron figurines, a framed painting, stainless steel mugs, glasses, and an espresso maker.

An image framing the doorway of bathroom with glass sidelights and transom with black framing, with a porcelain claw-foot bathtub on a tile floor.

PATTERN PLAy

The patterned encaustic floor tile creates visual interest against the monochrome walls and shower tile. The custom metal and glass shower and tub surrounds help to divide up the room while still allowing natural light to enter the space.

A shower with tile and glass and metal surrounds is separated from a window-lit bathtub area by a doorway with matching glass and metal transom.

A vase with a single floral stem and a bar of soap on a glass soapdish rest on an antique wood bench beside a claw-foot porcelain tub on patterned tile.

A bathroom vanity with double faucets, marble counters and backsplash, and an arch-shaped wall mirror flanked with dome-shaped wall lighting.

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Credits

We love clients who come to us with a vision! Digging into the work of Luis Barragán combined with the history of late 1880s Italianate architecture for this project was a dream come true.

Interior Design: Jordan Allen, Marla Kabashima, Casey Keasler

General Contractor: Raven Construction

Photos: Emily Kennedy

Styling: Jorie Garcia

Press: Remodelista and Diary of An Old Home