For a historic home remodel, the challenge is finding the right balance between honoring its history and creating a space that feels fresh and new. For this Wilmette kitchen, Normandy Design Manager Ashley Noethe focused on maximizing storage, counterspace and connection, while preserving the home’s original character and introducing details that bring some personality.

The first eye-catching element in this 100-year-old home’s kitchen remodel is the rich, green backsplash. “Its classic picket shape keeps the design from feeling overly trendy, while the subdued green adds personality without overwhelming the kitchen and can pair with different color palettes down the road,” Ashley says. “The tile’s undulating surface catches the light, creating visual interest without making the backsplash feel busy.”

The green also connects with the backyard views through the kitchen’s numerous windows, bringing a touch of the outdoors into the kitchen.

To complement the house’s age, Ashley chose a furniture-inspired island with decorative feet and a rich walnut finish. The surrounding cabinetry features a nuanced neutral that shifts in appearance depending on the lighting. “It’s a neutral, not a white, gray or beige — it’s a blend,” she says. “The warmer tone creates depth and richness, offering a more natural fit for the older home. Doing a bright white would have felt too stark and not true to the vintage feeling of the house.”

One of the main goals was to create a better connection between the kitchen and family room, according to Ashley. “We added a peninsula which created not only an eating area, but more counter space to work at while keeping an eye on the kids in the adjoining family room,” she says.

Storage was another important priority. In addition to the cabinetry in the new peninsula and new cabinetry along the adjacent wall, a shallow closet near the peninsula was transformed into a more substantial pantry cabinet, nearly doubling the available space.

Additional details reinforce the balance between traditional character and modern convenience. Brass hardware, walnut accents, and floating shelves with brass rails add warmth and texture. “We preserved an existing recessed cabinet near the sink which was a charming original feature that keeps it feeling like a vintage home,” Ashley says, “While a new induction cooktop helps the kitchen meet contemporary needs.”

A dedicated kids’ station in the butler’s pantry provides a place for snacks and everyday essentials. Wallpaper adds personality to this compact area, allowing the main kitchen to maintain a cleaner, more uninterrupted appearance. “This historic kitchen renovation was about updating the space while retaining a vintage quality that helps create a welcoming family hub,” Ashley says.

If you have some ideas in mind for updating your home and would like to discuss it with one of our Normandy Designers, please reach out. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter for design tips and inspiration.