Retro Reimagined: A 1955 Seattle Kitchen Renovation

A 1955 Seattle kitchen renovation opens the floor plan, adds light and modern updates while maintaining a period authentic feel.

Striking the right balance between a sleek and charming Mid Century Modern design and contemporary updates to accommodate modern living can be a challenge. Luckily for the homeowners of this 1955 gem by August Liliquist, the design team at Atelier Drome brought the two together in a total renovation to create this retro-infused kitchen space.

At 2,440 square feet, this split-level home is located in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle and boasts plentiful outdoor views, including glimpses of Mt. Rainier. The main goals of the homeowners were threefold: create an open plan for the kitchen and dining room, bring more light into these spaces and honor the home’s original architecture and design.

The light mint backsplash is back-painted glass and adds a pop of color to the warm white birch cabinetry finish throughout. While the material lends a more contemporary look to the space, the color reflects Mid Century Modern design. “The owners had a strong graphic sensibility in the rest of their home, so the color palette was chosen to coordinate with that, with a nod to popular ’50s shades,” Michelle says.

Opening Up

To begin, the layout of the 1955 Seattle home had to be reimagined to allow for the more modern style of living the homeowners desired. “Even though the original kitchen was a galley, it suffered from awkward circulation,” says Michelle Linden, owner and architect at Atelier Drome. “There was an exterior side entry that bumped into the kitchen, the connection to the dining room was very compact and the large fridge created a pinch point.”

To remedy this, the team at Atelier Drome decided to open up the floor plan between the two spaces. This, in turn, allowed the natural light to pour further into the home and provide the abundance of light the homeowners wanted.

1955 Seattle home kitchen renovation opens up floor plan to allow more natural light — While open concept is not a Mid Century Modern design feature, the homeowners and team at Atelier Drome decided the sacrifice of the original segmented design would benefit both spaces by providing a line of sight between the two and multiplying the benefits of the natural light. “Now that the wall between the dining and kitchen has been removed, the kitchen benefits from the large window in the dining room and the dining room benefits from the glazing in the kitchen,” Michelle says.

Rethinking Retro in the 1955 Seattle Kitchen Renovation

The last major goal of the renovation was to keep the heart and spirit of the original design of the home while updating for modern conveniences. Much of the “before” kitchen was in great need up upgrading, both aesthetically and functionally. The team at Atelier Drome accomplished this by replacing all the appliances with stainless steel and choosing new finishes and materials that honored the ’50s look and feel while also serving the practical needs of the homeowners.

“The design really leaned into the mid-century aesthetic, with the two biggest departures being the glass backsplash and the open-to-the-dining concept,” Michelle says. “Modern updates were focused on the use of the space, ensuring the flow worked for current lifestyles and that everything functioned well.”

rounded corner cabinets and built-in shelves give retro feel to renovated 1955 kitchen — When it comes to design, the details can make or break the overall look and feel of a space. The details the Atelier Drome team used in the cabinetry selections effortlessly elevate the space. “Rounded corners and the use of grommets on the cabinets reinforce the Mid Century Modern feel of the home.”

mint green backsplash in renovated 1955 Seattle kitchen — “The kitchen was a hodge podge of original cabinetry and illogical upgrades,” Michelle says. While the renovated kitchen keeps much of the galley shape of the original, the Atelier Drome team redesigned the cabinetry and layout to better serve the functional and aesthetic needs of the homeowners.

exterior view looking into renovated kitchen in 1955 Seattle home — Windows not only allow for much-coveted natural light, but also provide a sense of connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The Atelier Drome team utilized the original windows of the home and added a full lite glass door from the dining room to the outside deck to keep the unobstructed views of the backyard and Mt. Rainier beyond.

breakfast nook with Saarinen table and mint Eames chairs in sunny corner of 1955 Seattle home renovated kitchen — Windows play a major role in the renovated design of the kitchen. “The existing large windows were maintained with a breakfast nook to provide space to really soak in the light,” Michelle says.

SMEG refrigerator gives retro feel to renovated 1955 kitchen — The Smeg refrigerator is the perfect addition to infuse the space with a retro vibe. Thoughtful storage solutions tailored to the homeowners’ lifestyle give the kitchen an even more custom feel.

If you’re planning (or simply dreaming of) your own kitchen renovation, check out Mid Century Inspired Cabinetry for your Kitchen and Small MCM Kitchens With Big Style. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for more Atomic Ranch articles and ideas!