Today’s kitchens have evolved beyond showcasing a single design style. Instead they focus on an artful mix of style, comfort, ease and technology to provide a personal, one-of-a-kind experience.
For this design feature, we are showcasing a great example of retro, midcentury appliances being used in a more contemporary kitchen setting to create a visually stunning look with plenty of high performance functionality.
Something Old, Something New
When homeowner Whitney Anderson and her husband bought their home in Alberta, Canada, it was filled with original design elements from the 1990s, and was very much in need of a renovation. They agreed that the first project they would tackle was redesigning the kitchen to make better use of the space.
The goal of the remodel was threefold: 1) enlarge the kitchen by removing an existing wall, 2) make the kitchen more functional, and 3) create a relaxed, coastal feeling – all with the aim of creating the couple’s dream kitchen. Once the layout was finalized and the electrical was installed, transformation of the kitchen began.
The first order of business was to select the appliances. The homeowners wanted to add fun, interesting elements to their kitchen and ended up choosing the Elmira Stove Works Northstar collection in Robin’s Egg Blue.
According to Anderson, who is a member of the team at Wolf Creek Cabinets in Alberta, “We wanted the appliances to have the largest visual impact in the kitchen, so we designed everything else around them. The idea was to make the other elements beautiful, but not too busy, as we didn’t want them to compete with the appliances.”
A Balanced Design
Next on the agenda was adding new wood cabinetry in a darker shade to bring the kitchen out of the past and give it a more contemporary look. Cabinets in colors such as dark brown, slate or black can make a dramatic statement. These hues can also create a more functional kitchen, as darker cabinetry requires less maintenance and won’t show wear and tear as easily as white or lighter wood cabinets.
In this case, the darker cabinets provided a counterpoint to the vibrant pop of color from the appliances, resulting in an eye-catching design that wasn’t overwhelming.
Adds Anderson, “We’re really glad we chose the Northstar appliances because they are truly beautiful and we plan on keeping them for a long time. We felt they were a better investment than standard, stainless steel appliances, which are functional but not nearly as interesting.”
Other elements included the addition of quartz countertops, a herringbone backsplash and wood flooring in cooler tones that complement the cabinetry, along with new, more contemporary light fixtures.
Anderson says the new kitchen has changed the way her family lives. “We went from spending time in separate rooms to being together in the kitchen, which has become our new gathering space. I am happy we took on the challenge. The space is beautiful, unique and will suit our needs for many years to come.”
Incorporate Elmira Stove Works appliances into your kitchen design renderings! Elmira Northstar and Antique appliances are catalogued on the 2020 Design 3D CAD cloud platform.
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This white, country kitchen features the Antique collection in Cayenne Red with Nickel trim, oozing bold romance! The Antique collection highlights the ornate vintage details of a 1850s kitchen, while maintaining 21st century functionality. Each appliance can be personalized to suit the buyer’s design and cooking styles. The two “true-to-era” decorative exterior doors open to reveal a full-size, modern interior oven. Available in gas, propane, or electric with four or six burner options as well as seven color choices, two different trims, and decorative accessories, there are thousands of possible combinations possible to meet your heart’s desire.
The Northstar collection is a fan favorite due to its sleek 1950s retro curves and chrome accents, as seen in this sweet, cheerful pink kitchenette. With eight standard available colors and over 200+ custom color options through RAL color technology, the ability to charm that special someone this Valentine’s Day, while also matching their personality is well within reach.
the doors, sides and top, while maintaining the Northstar collection’s signature retro curves and striking chrome accents. The sleek yet vintage exterior presents the best of both worlds in kitchen appliance design, allowing it to fit into various interior styles seamlessly. The stainless steel finish also allows the refrigerator to be paired with other brands’ stainless steel appliances for a consistent aesthetic look.
One of the complaints about stainless steel in general is how it easily displays fingerprints and streaks. This is where our Quicksilver metallic finish saves the day! Quicksilver has a lower luster than 
Elmira is looking ahead, not back. We have some exciting new products in the works, and we’re continually working on new programs and promotions to assist our dealers in keeping our products front-of-mind with their staff and the consumer.
