Project Spotlight: Mid-Century Kitchen Renovation in Druid Hills

Copper Sky recently undertook a kitchen renovation in Druid Hills of a 1963 home that was in need of better efficiency and flow while incorporating iconic mid-century design elements. By rethinking the kitchen's layout, honoring the home's character and history, and incorporating rich materials and a whimsical color palette, we transformed this kitchen into a showstopping design.

Project Overview

This 1963 home in the heart of North Druid Hills offered the perfect canvas for a kitchen transformation. The homeowners, who love mid-century modern design, needed a space that would embrace the era of their home while meeting the practical demands of everyday life. The fixtures and finishes in the original kitchen were outdated and needed a refresh. Still, the kitchen's bones had significant potential, which we capitalized on during the renovation. 

To meet the needs of our client, we completely reimagined the space, stripping it down to the studs and starting fresh. After reconfiguring the layout, removing a dividing wall, and incorporating thoughtful but practical design elements, the kitchen and dining area now flow seamlessly. 

Priorities and Challenges 

The homeowners came to us with a clear vision: They yearned to create a more open and efficient kitchen that better utilized their underserved dining area. The dividing wall between the two spaces not only limited flow but also restricted natural light, making the space feel cramped.

The dividing wall was removed to unify the kitchen and dining spaces and create a more centralized and open feel. The new layout segmented the different areas of the kitchen and spread them out to create a new dining area and a more useful room with various zones. 

The zones we created allowed the kitchen to have more social space for gatherings, a section for working and preparing food, a cozy place to sit and eat, and lots of clever storage solutions. Copper Sky was even able to incorporate a few specialty details like a coffee bar with pocketing doors and a recessed refrigerator to keep the space open and clutter-free.

In addition to rethinking the layout, the homeowners were eager for fresh finishes and materials that aligned with their mid-century design aesthetic. Moreover, with the storage solutions, they required cabinets to accommodate everyday needs and display their collection of ceramics. These ceramics were the springboard of the colorful palette that tied the entire mid-century look together beautifully. 

Key Design Elements:

Warm Wood Tones and Timeless Materials

The true beauty of this refreshed kitchen lies in its balance of warmth, whimsy, color, and simplicity. We used rich oak wood cabinets with vertical graining to anchor the space and bring depth and texture. 

A terrazzo floor adds durability and subtle visual interest, while satin brass kitchen accents provide a luxurious feel. The crisp, clean white accents, fixtures, and finishes, like the minimalist lighting over the sink and the countertops, keep the design clean, quiet, and modern, ensuring the space feels bright and inviting.

A Standout Backsplash

One of the most striking features of this renovation is the multi-colored kitchen tile backsplash, which gives the space a bright a cheery feel. Its playful yet understated design draws the eye and adds a fun personality to the space. The chosen colors are a nod to the mid-century palette, bringing an extra layer of creativity to the design.

Beautiful Dining Banquette with a Mid-Century Flair

The previously underutilized dining area has been transformed into a cozy, functional nook by incorporating a built-in dining banquette bench, flanked by floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. 

To add a touch of whimsy, we selected soft, patterned wallpaper and a centered pendant light fixture in a beautiful sage green. These complement the rest of the design while making the banquette a unique feature of the space. We carried over this same wallpaper into the coffee bar to tie the whole room together.

Functional and Artful Storage

Custom kitchen display cabinets were designed to maximize storage and showcase the homeowners’ collection of ceramics. The open shelves allow these pieces to shine, making them a natural extension of the design. This thoughtful detail makes the kitchen feel personal and tailored to the homeowners' unique mid-century style.

Contact Copper Sky Design + Remodel About Your Atlanta Kitchen Renovation Project

This Druid Hills mid-century kitchen remodel is a beautiful example of how a thoughtfully designed renovation can honor a home’s roots while embracing modern needs. With warm finishes, innovative storage, and iconic mid-century details throughout, this kitchen captures the spirit of its era while feeling perfectly suited for today.

If our latest project spotlight has inspired you to remodel your kitchen, you can speak with us here. Our friendly team members at Copper Sky Design + Remodel will be more than happy to help you bring your home renovation dreams to life.