Alberta Arts District Historic Kitchen Remodel

Portland’s Alberta Arts District is full of historic homes like this one, where our team recently completed a full kitchen remodel for the owners. With a growing family and their children getting older, the need for a functional kitchen had become more and more urgent. After building up equity, they decided it was time to transform their kitchen into a space that better suited their family’s needs.

What Were the Goals of This Kitchen Remodel?

The homeowners loved the historic charm of their Alberta District home, but the kitchen had long been a source of frustration and needed a remodel.

The first major issue was that it was not up to current Portland building codes. It also had deteriorating cabinetry, countertops that were too low for comfortable use, and poor insulation. To top it all off, the kitchen lacked many features that a modern kitchen should have. There was no dishwasher, no hood over the range, and very little storage.

Due to the constraints of working in a historic home, the owners wanted to keep the kitchen’s existing layout and size. As a result, our team was faced with the challenge of improving the kitchen’s efficiency without altering its footprint.

How Did We Solve These Issues in the New Design?

To remodel the kitchen, we focused on maintaining the charm of this historic Alberta District home while bringing it up to modern comfort and efficiency standards. While maintaining the layout and footprint of the kitchen, we made several strategic changes to better engage the homeowners’ needs.

We started by reinsulating and reinforcing the walls to improve the energy efficiency and strength of the home’s near century-old structure. Our team replaced all of the old cabinetry and raised the countertop height to better suit the family’s needs. The flooring was replaced with Marmoleum, providing a durable, eco-friendly solution while also keeping with the space’s timeless character.

To address the ventilation issue, we installed a proper range hood. The homeowners also requested new stainless steel appliances—including a dishwasher.

Specific Products and Features Used:

• Custom Cabinetry by Knight Cabinetry: Tailored to the client’s storage needs, these cabinets improved the kitchen’s functionality while honoring the home’s historical style.
• Pental Quartz Countertops: New white quartz composite countertops that are both durable and enhance the kitchen’s visual design.
• Handmade Concrete Tile Backsplash by LiLi Tile: This colorful handmade tile adds a touch of craftsmanship and elegance, complementing the home’s vintage aesthetic.

How Has This Remodel Changed the Clients’ Lives?

By respecting the historical character of the home while incorporating modern conveniences, the remodeled kitchen feels both timeless and contemporary. The space is now somewhere the family genuinely enjoys spending time, allowing them to cook, gather, and create memories together.