Before & After: A “Clunky” ’90s Kitchen Gets a French-Inspired Makeover (It’s So Elegant!)
A century after its original construction, this 1890 Nashville home underwent a jarring renovation that was “poorly done” and felt more like an afterthought than an update, interior designer Carly Ripp of Life of Plenty Home says. Blue tile, linoleum countertops, and a clunky layout were just some of the elements that awkwardly clashed with the home’s historic character.
The homeowners, Laura and Dave Clauss, hired Carly to take the “out of place” kitchen and help it connect with the rest of the home. “When you have an old house, it’s crazy how a ’90s kitchen can throw the whole thing off,” the designer adds.
The new kitchen would be the heart of the home, inspired by both the home’s architecture and the homeowners’ love of French kitchens and other timeless, historic spaces. And while they had planned to move in and slowly renovate, a leak from an upstairs bathroom called for a swift change of plans. “The ceiling started falling in,” Carly recalls. So it was time to get to work.
The goal was to improve indoor-outdoor flow, create a mudroom, remove the “creepy” walk-in pantry, and provide a welcoming hub for entertaining and cooking. “We both wanted to create a magnetic space that everyone is drawn to,” Laura says.
To restore the home to its 19th-century charm, the designer added transoms to the doorway into the dining room, which she felt would be a natural architectural detail that would highlight the home’s generous ceiling height.
Custom inset cabinets, another classic choice, along with white subway tile, soapstone, Mont Blanc quartzite, and reclaimed brick, give the kitchen an air of elegance. The homeowners didn’t want a range hood, so a concealed pop-up vent was installed, while an aged brass pot rail from deVOL balances the wall. “The house tells you what it wants to be,” Carly adds.
While the bathroom leak was more than enough challenge, Carly later made an unexpected discovery: evidence of an original second doorway leading into the dining room. In addition to returning much of the home’s original character, she also created another space within the kitchen: a desk nook near the outside door.
“It used to be another doorway, but it felt clunky to have two doors so close together,” Carly explains. Removing the door revealed a beautiful leaded window hidden inside a closet, allowing her to repurpose the space in a more natural way to the kitchen.
While the homeowners have since renovated their primary bathroom and laundry room, the kitchen is still their favorite spot (and cost around $150,000 total to renovate). “It’s the room that draws you in. It’s a place where friends and family come together, taste together, and enjoy one another’s company,” Laura says.
