Modern Net Loft

The Great Fire of 1892 left much of St. John’s in ruins, a charred landscape where once a city stood. Among the first houses to be rebuilt, this downtown residence has resisted the ravages of time for more than a century and retains much of its original character and charm. Except for the kitchen.

This house, like many of its size, originally had the kitchen in the basement, and cooking was a task for the hired help. As times changed, so did the layout of our homes, and the kitchen eventually moved to the ground floor, placed at the back of the house in a space that was, likely, added on years after the house was built.

DESIGN Doug Allen, Ulu Cabinetry BUILD Sable Building and Design

The kitchen remains in the same spot today, although vastly different from its previous incarnation.

The copper ceilings add warmth to the space, and were something the homeowner wanted to include, but was unsure whether or not they would fit, until Doug assured him the look would work.

Mark likes his house and the old-time character of it, but he was never really struck on the kitchen, which he refers to as a ’90s-era kitchen with an awkward layout. One day, he decided he wanted a kitchen that he actually liked, and brought in Doug Allen of Ulu Cabinetry to design a new space. Using “modern net loft” as a guideline, Doug had some fun with the design, creating a beautiful and functional space. Design is a collaborative process, says Doug, and any well-executed home design needs to take into consideration the wants and needs of the homeowner.

The layers of surfaces, with open books built into the cabinetry and cabinet tops are surfaces designed for object display. Mark has an affinity for cultural artifacts, like the glass milk bottle from the now-defunct Kenmount Dairy displayed on a cabinet top.

The placement of the kitchen, off the back of the house and separated from the other living spaces, allowed for a completely different look in this room without ruining the feel of the house. It is, says Mark, pretty much the only room in the house that could be updated without concern for sacrificing the home’s character. Most kitchens have the cabinets and countertops in a somewhat linear pattern, but this isn’t most kitchens. The pantry cabinets begin in the far corner of the kitchen, adjacent to the dining nook, with tall doors stretching from the floor nearly to the ceiling before intersecting with the counter, where they rest above the surface. The span is unified by a continuous grain pattern of white oak across the door fronts.

In addition to improving function and utility, the redesign has once again made this kitchen a livable space.

“I really enjoy it and want to be in here more and spend more time just hanging out,” says Mark.

Eclectic is a fair description of Mark's taste and home decor style, and Doug wanted the new kitchen to reflect that - it mixes retro, 50's-style appliances, Victorian ceiling treatments and modern cabinetry.

Design and Lifestyle in Newfoundland & Labrador

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