Before and After: Historic Blue Kitchen Remodel

The kitchen of this 1920s-era home in downtown Waco, Texas was a hot mess of piecemeal remodels that had taken place over many decades. Taking this kitchen down to the studs and completely reimagining the layout was the beginning of a complete transformation! Here’s the before and after of this historic blue kitchen remodel.

First, the kitchen before we worked our design magic. Despite being a decent size, the layout wasn’t at all functional for this family of four and there was hardly any storage space.

"Before" photos of a kitchen remodel by Atlanta interior designer Lesley Myrick
"Before" photos of a kitchen remodel by Atlanta interior designer Lesley Myrick

We started the design process by completely reconfiguring the layout of the room. By removing a butler’s pantry and closing in a window (at the client’s request), we gained a huge amount of square footage and storage space, including the addition of a large walk-in pantry. For our client who loves to bake and cook with her two boys, this was a dreamy upgrade!

A fresh blue and white kitchen with an oversize island and coffee bar
White farmhouse sink in the kitchen remodel of a historic home in Waco, TX

The walk-in pantry (located where the fridge and washer/dryer once stood) boasts floor-to-ceiling storage that even The Home Edit crew would be jealous of. And with all those goods behind closed doors, the kitchen is livable and clutter-free on a daily basis.

A custom walk-in pantry was added to this historic kitchen remodel project by Lesley Myrick Interior Design

An integrated coffee bar turned a shallow nook into usable floor-to-ceiling storage, with a dedicated zone for tea and coffee prep. We utilized all 10 feet of height in this kitchen for cabinetry; the highest cabinets hold seasonal items that need infrequent access.

An integrated coffee bar turned a shallow nook into usable floor-to-ceiling storage, with a dedicated zone for tea and coffee prep in this kitchen remodel by interior designer Lesley Myrick.

A fresh color palette of deep blue, crisp white and sunny yellow gives the space a current feel, while the bold patterned floor tiles are a nod to the home’s history. I love that they have a vintage, historic feel and introduce a dynamic pattern into the design.

And my very favorite design element in this kitchen? The oversize black and gold pendant that steals the show above the island. (Shop it here.)

A dramatic oversize black and brass pendant is the centerpiece in this historic blue kitchen remodel by interior designer Lesley Myrick.

Thanks for touring our historic blue kitchen remodel! Ready for your own kitchen transformation? Inquire here to start your project with Lesley Myrick Interior Design.

Before and after photos of a historic blue kitchen remodel by Lesley Myrick Interior Design