The kitchen in this old-meets-new home expertly balances period design and unique style – and it's all thanks to a Mediterranean-inspired scheme

The purpose of a kitchen remodel is to create a design that honors the home's period. Often, the original kitchen is outdated and needs a new lease of life breathed into it, whereas other times, the kitchen feels too modern for the period of the home.

It can be very easy to fall into the trap of opting for a kitchen that adheres to a specific aesthetic that suits the home and forget to bring personality and originality into the scheme. But this remodel is a lesson in balancing heritage and unique design.

The overall space has influences of a Mediterranean kitchen, with nods to the property's original period as well as its more modern addition. From the colors and materials the the style of the cabinets, there is much to learn from this expert design.

'The old kitchen was quite stark. The kitchen cabinets were a modern style, not in keeping with the rest of the house, were not of high quality, and in need of replacement,' says Helen Balshaw, kitchen design and training manager at deVOL Kitchens.

While the kitchen's footprint and general kitchen layout remained the same, everything else was overhauled to accommodate a new, more fitting kitchen for the owners' style.

'The kitchen is still in the same part of the room, so the customer didn't need to move plumbing or block up windows. They installed a new floor, new cabinetry, fixtures and fittings, tiled backsplash, and painted walls and ceilings in warm and inviting colors,' Helen explains.

Starting from scratch gave the team a blank slate to work from, and they were lucky enough not to face any major issues or challenges during the redesign and build. The only obstacles came in the form of creating the best flow for the room.

'This was a lovely room to design for the Haberdashers range as there was so much space and the customers have great taste. The only slightly awkward area was the wall on which the cooker and fridge fit,' she says.

'There were two existing windows on either side of the cooker which we were keen to not block up if possible, so this restricted the options for cabinetry and appliances on this wall.'

But it was a relatively easy problem to work around, and the finished kitchen is a truly stand-out space, filled with warm, inviting colors and an overall look that feels perfectly tailored to the homeowners' style.

'It feels warm, welcoming, light, and airy. The mid-century modern style of the Haberdashers' cabinets connects the historical cottage part of the house and the modern extension with texture and natural materials,' Helen notes.

The choice of colors (including Roman Plaster by Little Greene on the walls), materials, and textures gives the new kitchen an almost Mediterranean feel. It's organic, full of warmth, and exudes charm and tranquility. And there are so many beautiful textures that give the design more interest.

'The warmth of the colors and materials and the openness are the stand-out features of the design. The freestanding Haberdashers prep table is such a focal piece with curved copper ends,' she explains.

Glass-fronted kitchen cabinets and drawers add storage while also creating a place to display functional pieces and pottery made by one of the homeowners. It's a detail that brings in something more unique.

And the tiled fireplace wall cannot be ignored. It's a real focal point in the space, and adds so much visual interest to the overall design. The kitchen tiles, Rio reclaimed tiles by Bert & May, add to the Mediterranean feel of the space, and pair beautifully with the wall color and the wood tones throughout.

They also pick up on the color of the kitchen backsplash tiles, Hessian Glazed Bejmat tiles by Bert & May, which bring in another warming hue that pairs seamlessly with the wood kitchen cabinetry.

The smaller decorative details are just as key to the space as the larger elements, bringing in personality and a lived-in feel. From the vintage wall art and rustic ceramics to the wishbone chair topped with a stripe pillow and the layered kitchen rugs, there are so many additional elements that bring in a cozier, more inviting feel.

This kitchen proves that you can honor your style and your home's roots without leaning into the obvious aesthetics. This kitchen is a true reflection of the property's old-meets-new style – the classic design with nods to modern Mediterranean style feels perfectly at home in the architecture, while offering insight into the homeowners' personalities. It's the epitome of great kitchen design.

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If there's one lesson to learn from this space, it's that designing a kitchen should be equal parts honoring your home's heritage and embracing your personal style. Don't feel like you have to do for a specific design just because it's what is expected – there are so many kitchen styles, so embrace timeless kitchen design elements with pieces that showcase your personality.