Friendly reminder: This website utilizes cookies and other tracking technologies to track and tailor your online experience. We use and make such information available to third parties for purposes such as analytics, security, and advertising. By using this website, you are accepting our Terms of Use. You may change your cookie settings in your web browser at any time. Cookie Policy

Skip to main content
Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Kitchen Design Contest Finalist, Karen Swanson of New England Design Works from Manchester, MA, USA

Vibrant Victorian

FINALIST, 2022-2023 KITCHEN DESIGN CONTEST

Karen Swanson

NEW ENGLAND DESIGN WORKS

Manchester, MA, USA

View Profile

Revitalized Victorian Kitchen Creates Cherished Moments

After 40 years of living in their home, retired homeowners sought a kitchen remodel that would enable a new generation of memory making. Working deftly within the small floorplan, designer Karen Swanson took an inefficient space and transformed it into a kitchen that not only respects the home’s Victorian architecture but offers the couple a place to enjoy a casual meal and bake with grandchildren.


Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Kitchen Design Contest Finalist, Karen Swanson of New England Design Works from Manchester, MA, USA
Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Kitchen Design Contest Finalist, Karen Swanson of New England Design Works from Manchester, MA, USA
ENHANCING FUNCTIONALITY

The original layout lacked all efficiency. By opting for a narrow 24" Sub-Zero Refrigerator with separate Freezer Drawers placed in the island, the floor plan maximizes countertop space and cabinetry while significantly improving functionality.

EMBRACING VICTORIAN CHARM

A checkerboard marble floor, a custom stained-glass window, paneled walls, and carefully chosen colors and wallpaper brought new life to the kitchen while maintaining the historical charm of the home’s Victorian roots.

OVERCOMING SPACE CHALLENGES

The kitchen's small size and a non-movable chimney posed design challenges. Additionally, the wall separating the kitchen and the dining room couldn’t be removed, so the design focused on creating a visually appealing view for the homeowner while working at the peninsula.

COHESIVE DESIGN ELEMENTS

Carefully coordinated, the stained-glass window's colors match the wallpaper. Meanwhile, the white and gray marble checkerboard floor ties the kitchen's aesthetic together and complements the patina of the home's wood flooring.

LOVE OF COOKING

The homeowners' passion for cooking and baking with their grandchildren guided their appliance choice. In addition to offering exceptional performance, the Wolf Dual Fuel Range became a central feature of the design.