A tired kitchen full of problems has been restored into a warm, traditional scheme – and there are a few totally unexpected details

Moving into an old home always comes with its quirks. They usually make their presence known when you start renovating, especially when it comes to the kitchen. Removing cabinets will probably reveal a whole host of unexpected problems.

But we always say it's better to find them and fix them – especially if you want to create a space that pays homage to your property's roots. Reintroducing a traditional kitchen full of charm and character will instantly elevate your scheme.

And that's exactly the experience Carole had when she renovated her old kitchen. Strange false walls, water-holding plasterwork, and tired, dated features all needed to go in order to reinvent the space. And the finished result proves it was worth it.

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'Before the renovation, the kitchen was a very typical late '80s built-in “country style” kitchen which was actually falling apart,' explains photographer and homeowner Carole Poirot.

'It had the typical laminated countertops, MDF units, and built-in appliances. The more we ripped out, the worse it got. In the end we not only ripped out the kitchen units but tore down the ceiling and even replaced the plaster on the walls,' she adds.

Removing the entire existing kitchen allowed her to start from scratch and really focus on creating a high-quality, timeless kitchen that truly worked for her needs. But the remodel wasn't without its difficulties.

'We tore down the ceiling, the gypsum plaster that trapped water in the walls was replaced with lime plaster, we ripped up the laminate flooring and had it replaced with porcelain tiles from Original Style, we basically completely gutted it to start again,' Carole notes.

To create the new kitchen, she worked with deVOL to design cabinets that really tailored to the look and feel she wanted for the new space. However, more challenges arose after finalizing the designs, which could have been a disaster.

'We discovered a “fake” wall at one side of the kitchen which impacted the overall measurements. Since it was too late to change the plans, my very talented joiner made two spice racks to go left and right of the cooker to “stretch” the size of the units to each wall.

But every challenge and all the hard work paid off. The newly remodeled kitchen is a stark contrast to what it was. It's traditional but not at all dated, and full of warmth and visual interest without feeling overwhelming.

'I’d say the style is overall quite French. The floor tiles, a free-standing range cooker instead of a built-in one, and a solid limestone trough sink imported from France with a skirt underneath all adds to the overall look. The kitchen is lived in and used daily, which I believe is reflected in the overall look and feel,' explains Carole.

There are so many beautiful elements to admire in the space – all of which perfectly harmonize with one another. Gray lower cabinets form the base of the kitchen, topped with white countertops for a classic look.

The choice to forgo any floating wall cabinets has had a great impact on the space. It feels more open and traditional – and it made space for classic French country kitchen accessories.

A simple white tiled kitchen backsplash has been elevated with the addition of a brass pot hanger that spans the entire wall. As well as holding copper pans, it also becomes a space for hanging baskets, utensils, and bundles of dried herbs. The shelf above is another lovely feature for extra storage and to display vintage-style artwork.

But it's the kitchen floor tiles that are crucial to creating a layered, textured finish. The subtle, classic pattern helps to ground the design and makes a feature of the large open space. Opting for something plain would have worked, but the space would have felt more vast and empty.

If there's one feature in this kitchen that can't be ignored, it's the sink area. 'If I had to choose one favorite feature, it would be the sink,' says Carole. A beautiful stone design that sits seamlessly into the kitchen countertops, it adds another layer of texture and interest.

Below it, instead of continuing the same cabinet doors, she's opted for a cabinet curtain, adding a softness and easy access to the storage behind it. The brass curtain rail ties in perfectly with the faucet, adding to that traditional feel.

But we can't talk about the sink area without mentioning the window. The wooden trim and frame have been painted a vibrant green hue. It shouldn't work with the kitchen's style, but somehow, it just adds another unexpected detail that showcases the personality of those who live there.

And finally, it's the table at the heart of the space that truly stands out and adds the perfect finishing touch to the French country scheme. The obvious choice for this kitchen layout would be to add a built-in kitchen island, but Carole has taken a different approach.

A huge kitchen trend this year and a design that's proved to be enduring, choosing a traditional kitchen table creates a more social, lived-in feel. It transforms the kitchen into a place to enjoy, socialize, and sit down with loved ones to enjoy home-cooked meals.

This kitchen is a lesson in taking a plain space and transforming it into a characterful, lived-in, and traditional space. It perfectly balances the charm of classic kitchen style while still feeling relevant and useable today. If nothing else, it's certainly made us consider bringing back the humble pot hanger.

Shop the look

From the traditional kitchen table and the charming pot hanger to the unexpected vibrant green windows, there's much to admire in this kitchen transformation – and plenty to learn about the art of patience and adapting throughout a remodel. There might be some well-known kitchen renovation rules to follow, but this space proves sometimes going against the grain can be key to creating a unique, characterful design.