
For the renovation of an existing Italianate abode in Country Club Hills, Mo., the clients of 1209 Residence asked Forward Design | Architecture to retain the style and quality of the home’s ornate exterior and resolve the interior renovations and addition that left the 1920s dwelling feeling disorganized. Chris Fein, the founding principal of the Kansas City, Mo.–based firm, and his team responded with a plan that not only respects the home’s original style, but also brings new modern character.

In the kitchen, white cabinets match the overall traditional nature of the residence, and the black epoxy lab island and powder-coated pot rack were treated as modern, furniture-like additions. Fein called on local artist Joe Munson Studios to fabricate the hanging shelf with an integrated light. The pot rack was constructed from aluminum, with a ¼-inch shelf plate and legs made from bar stock, and was attached to custom L-brackets that are fastened into the ceiling blocking.
To incorporate the fixture, one of the rack’s legs has a routed channel and cover to hide the power, and a linear LED with an opaque lens sits flush with the bottom of the shelf to provide additional light.
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