Picture this. Clean lines, natural textiles and a serene color scheme come together in this downtown Columbus kitchen to honor iconic Scandinavian style. Large-scale, rift-cut beams and planked French oak flooring offset each other beautifully and bring nature into focus. The matte finish of the countertops brightens the space, as does the white slab cabinetry. A versatile island extends to serve as a meal prep area or accommodate four for dining. Take a seat and you’ll have the ideal vantage point for viewing the original exposed stone on the level below, as glass panels surround the descending staircase and open up what was once a series of divided spaces.
Daron Larson and Matt White can easily picture this kitchen, as it’s theirs. But it wasn’t always such an appealing space. Prior to its renovation, the kitchen was disjointed, dark and dated. The latter adjective is especially true, but in an enchanting way, as the home was built in the early to mid-1800s.
“The house is an interesting blend of old and modern,” explains Daron. “What I love is you can walk down our street and it seems like a plain brick house you wouldn’t look at twice. But when you enter, you are immediately taken in by all the work that has been done by previous owners, including an architect in the 1970s.”
Historical significance
The home likely has a rich history, given not only its age but also its proximity to the historic Kelton house, once part of the Underground Railroad, and historians’ speculations that it was originally a community schoolhouse.
Because the home has such good bones, as they say, the homeowners were mostly pleased with the kitchen during the initial years they lived there, despite a wall that was placed such that it served as a barrier to both light and ease of movement in the space.
“Looking back, we realized how claustrophobic people must have felt with that wall,” says Matt with a laugh. “Now the kitchen feels more spacious and adds to the overall loft-like vibe of the house.”
The assumption was that the wall couldn’t be removed, as it contained heating and HVAC ducts, as well as wiring. Enter Tyler Swartzmiller, principal designer with Haus Studio. Tyler and his team were able to remove the wall and move the mechanicals upstairs behind custom-built woodworking in the primary bedroom.
Lighter, brighter
There are countless delightful details in the updated space, including the stairs which were formerly enclosed by half ledges rather than glass, and the embedded LED lights that perch beneath them. The illumination adds visual distinction to each step and serves as a safety feature.
Gone are the stacked layers of slab and tile on the floor, as well as the rampant tile that ran above the cabinets. Now, white-painted brick serves as the backsplash, hearkening back to the brick of an old schoolhouse. Warm wood paneling encloses the sleek Monogram appliances, and the drawers and cabinets that previously opened at multiple levels now reside on one clean row.
A favorite feature for Daron is the cut of the cabinetry’s wood grain, which creates a calming, consistent look across multiple panels. Matt agrees and also cites the built-in refrigerator and wall-mounted ovens. “I wasn’t sure we could incorporate both of those within the constraints of the space,” he says, “but we did, and I love how the refrigerator goes into the wall.” The induction cooktop also adds to the clean lines and makes for easy cleanup.
A plan in place
Tyler approached the project with not only his years of design expertise, but also as a cook himself. “It’s important to know how kitchens are supposed to be used,” he says. “It’s all about understanding your workstation, prep station and cleanup station and knowing what needs to be in close proximity to what.”
Even the choice of garbage can was intentional. It’s a hands-free Servo Drive bin that opens with merely a nudge, and Tyler confirms that efficiency features such as this are big in kitchens today. Tyler is also seeing lots of hidden storage options, such as pocket doors or paneling similar to what he incorporated into this particular kitchen.
“We wrapped the wall in wood and paneled the dishwasher, beverage fridge, et cetera,” he says.
Other trends? “Wood has been trending upward for a few years now. People are tiring of the sterile white kitchen,” he explains. “They’re also mixing finishes, including matte and glossy. And even though certain features may be all the same color, you can create interest by adding textures.”
And of course, mid-century modern Scandinavian is coming on strong, and melding different materials is a prominent element within this style. Always minimal but never cold, Scandinavian kitchens have an enduring appeal that ensures Daron and Matt can enjoy their updated kitchen for decades to come.
RESOURCES Design and construction Haus Studio Appliances Monogram Faucets Brizo Rook Articulating Bridge Flooring Belle Harbor Wire Brushed French Oak Sinks Franke Peak undermount in matte black granite Countertops Cambria Brittanicca quartz Lighting Fairview Traditional Single Sconce with opal Eastmoreland shade
Article by Lee Rhodes
Article originally appeared in September 2023