Rediscovered Residential Spaces Once Common in Old Homes: A Look at Forgotten Rooms and Their Modern Resurgence
In the ever-evolving world of interior design, some traditional home rooms are making a resurgence, finding their place in modern homes. One such example is the incorporation of a larder, a historical throwback space, into a recent project by designer Nina.
A larder, often considered a place for all the kitchen electrics and things that get in the way of the main kitchen, has been given a new lease of life. In Nina's project, the larder serves not only as a place to refrigerate the extras, like marinades and sauces, and store less frequently used serveware, but also as a cozier, more informal living room to retreat to pre- or post-dinner. The design of the larder's scullery cabinetry and surfaces was modeled off the main kitchen for added visual flow.
The larder is not complete without some storage jars, and Nina got creative with the colour and tile design of the walk-in larder, adding a touch of personalised style.
Another traditional room making a comeback is the keeping room, which is heavily associated with the kitchen. This space provides a more formal version of a classic lounge or living space and would usually feature the owner's best furniture, most-prized art, and most impressive decor.
In addition to the return of traditional rooms, some design elements are also seeing a resurgence. For instance, the architectural realm is witnessing a comeback of timeless and traditional forms, refreshed with modern touches. Examples include arched doorways and windows, built-in cabinetry reminiscent of older styles, and regional vernacular architecture elements such as shutters in coastal homes, adobe-style walls in the Southwest, Acadian homes in the Southeast, and Dutch Colonial styles in the Northeast.
Moreover, bathrooms with Neo-Victorian aesthetics, featuring freestanding tubs and ornate fixtures, are becoming increasingly popular. This style blends romantic, nostalgic elements with modern updates, bringing a classic, elegant feel to a very functional room.
Living spaces that prioritise comfort and coziness are also on the rise. This shift moves toward creating evocative, enveloping rooms that emphasise warmth and emotional well-being, reminiscent of traditional cozy parlors or lounges. Hallways, traditionally seen as simple passageways, are being transformed into statement-making rooms with creative use of colours, patterns, and lighting, reimagining a typically traditional transitional space into a decorative focus.
Speakeasies, specifically, are creeping back in, with more clients looking for an intimate, snug area for drinking. Speakeasies are often requested to be in the basements of homes for privacy and as a place to escape the main living areas.
These rooms and elements show a clear trend of revisiting classic designs and traditional rooms, but adapting them with personalised, modern details and contemporary functionality, creating a bridge between past and present home aesthetics.
- Nina's modern home project includes a larder, a historical space revived as a cozier living room for pre- or post-dinner retreat, equipped with cabinetry and surfaces mimicking the main kitchen for visual continuity.
- In addition to larders, the keeping room, traditionally a formal lounge or living space associated with the kitchen, is making a comeback, featuring the owner's best furniture, artwork, and decor.
- Design elements such as arched doorways, built-in cabinetry inspired by older styles, and regional architecture features like shutters in coastal homes, adobe-style walls in the Southwest, Acadian homes in the Southeast, and Dutch Colonial styles in the Northeast are seeing a comeback.
- Neo-Victorian bathrooms, characterized by freestanding tubs and ornate fixtures, are growing in popularity, blending romantic and nostalgic elements with modern updates.
- Speakeasies, ideal for intimate drinking, are creeping back in, nestled in home basements for privacy and as a respite from the main living areas.
