Welcome to our “Featured Home”. You will see how these creative homeowners create a warm and welcoming home while working within the guidelines of a restoration philosophy. Questions? Email us at johanne@fromtimespast.com . Your feedback is appreciated.

One of, if not the most difficult room to successfully integrate into a heritage house is the modern kitchen. Once the domain of servants the kitchen of today has evolved into a means of self expression and a status symbol replete with the most up to date gadgets and appliances. How does one incorporate this 21 st century ideal with the character and style of the heritage home?

Many homeowners have tried and given up. Original kitchens have been completely gutted and replaced with modern rooms that bear no connection to the style or feeling of the rest of the home. Others have tried and have succeeded in creating a kitchen space that flows seamlessly with the rest of the house. Such a kitchen belongs to Rod M., a realtor, designer, and proud owner of the historic Crawford House.

Located in the Mount Royal area of Calgary , this provincially designated house is named after its famous first occupant. A socially prominent medical doctor at the time, Dr. Crawford is best known for introducing the diphtheria vaccine to the city. He also brought its first chapter of the Boy Scouts and organized the first Christian Youth Choir. He and his wife, Loretta moved into this English Tudor - Arts and Crafts inspired house in 1910. The 7,200 square foot house was one of the first mansions to be built in Calgary and under the sensitive hands and eyes of MacDonald, has been lovingly restored.

Each room is resplendent with its richly colored period style wall coverings, antique light fixtures, elegant furniture, and Rod’s vast personal collections. The kitchen also does not disappoint.

Located completely on its original footprint, this 400 square foot space (which includes a breakfast room) is, according to Rod “small in size, but large in capacity”.

In spite of its size, this kitchen boasts over 50 lineal feet of cabinetry 10 feet high- even the toe kicks at the base of the cupboards open to reveal hidden drawers for more storage!

Behind the quarter sawn oak doors and “faux” drawers are housed three dishwashers, 2 microwaves, a refrigerator / freezer, a warming oven and a television. Entertaining large groups (as many as 150 guests!) is a part of Rod’s lifestyle and he does all the cooking himself, so a functional, efficient kitchen was a necessity.

Extra wide 36” hand beveled granite counter tops allow for more storage space underneath and more work surface than conventionally sized surfaces. A professional gas range and oven takes care of any cooking needs. A heated tumbled Italian limestone floor adds practicality, comfort and style to the room.

The home’s stylistic influences inspired the cabinetry design. Gothic style doors in quarter sawn oak and small brackets under the cornices of the cupboards reintroduce the English Tudor and Arts and Crafts details found elsewhere throughout the house.

Beveled“seed glass” doors mimic the imperfections of old glass and the look of antique china cabinets. Custom milled bead board acts as an authentic looking backdrop. Antique “candle” light fixtures inside the cabinetry show off Rod’s impressive collection of pewter.

The adjacent breakfast room was originally separated by doors from the rest of the kitchen. Here the maids, the cook, and occasionally the Crawford children, ate their meals. Boasting one of the house’s nine original fireplaces, the space is indeed charming. Light filters through lace curtains, creating lovely shadowed patterns on the floor and oak table.

The original beveled glass windows are spectacular. Made with a much higher concentration of lead than other windows of this era, these windows sparkle like crystal. As light hits the bevel it creates dozens of perfectly formed, exquisite, rainbows to dance around the room – the effect is kaleidoscopic.

A collection of flow blue china pitchers and platters above the mantle of fireplace creates a perfect co lour foil for the warmth of the wood in the room.

Plants under Victorian style glass cloches, a birdcage, and statuary, all combine to create a room that is both comfortable as

well as functional.

Asked what advice he would give to other heritage home owners wanting to modernize their kitchen without compromising the look of their house Rod said: “Plan, plan plan! Get several estimates from qualified people, and when you’ve made your decision, have them keep to the budget. Have the entire kitchen built and stained at once so the color of the wood stain is the same”. He adds: “Be realistic when you consider the function of your kitchen – make it perform for you within reason, without too many expectations. When you have an old house with defined layouts and without additions you must learn to adapt to its restrictions.”

This kitchen is indeed a successful blend of meeting today’s lifestyle needs without compromising its historic character. When asked how he felt about the result of his vision, Rod said many of his guests, after seeing the rest of the house, exclaim “Wow! You even have the original kitchen!” He smiles “That is my greatest compliment!”.

written by Johanne Yakula, Heritage Home Consultant

If you would like to be the first to receive other articles on collecting antiques and collectibles as they are written for this web site click here to subscribe. Please forward this article or our web site address to someone who might enjoy it and don’t forget to add us to your favorites! Thank you!