This 1920s Prairie School–style house in a historic district in St. Paul, Minn., had a small, isolated kitchen typical of its time. The current owners wanted to update the kitchen to be more visible and contemporary.

Because of its historic nature, all exterior work had to meet strict planning-department guidelines. “By adding to the back of the house and switching the location of the family and dining rooms, we elevated the status of the kitchen through an open plan,” says project designer David Heide.

The historic language of the house inspired the scale, size, and proportions of the additions as well as the character of the finishes. Carefully arranging the space so it retains a sense of compartmentalization, such as the division created by the peninsula/breakfast bar, is a nod to that earlier design.

Cabinets, lighting, tiles, and other fixtures were designed and custom crafted for the project. The refrigerator and undercounter combination drawers are integrated into the cabinetry. The judges found these details particularly appealing: “This is a ... genuine interpretation of Arts and Crafts,” they said.