Unlike several of their neighbors, Marguerite and James Arno have kept their kitchen in the original 1930s space.
“It's a tiny kitchen,” Marguerite says. “In those days, I guess there was a cook that stood in the kitchen. You didn't have the participatory kitchen that we have today.”
The Arnos moved into the house in 1983, but just finished remodeling their kitchen in September. The couple discussed moving the kitchen, but ultimately decided to keep it in the original space. In order to open up the space, only a counter now separates the kitchen from the adjoining clerestory room, allowing for more flow between the two areas when entertaining. Although snug, the kitchen has a warm coziness to it thanks to the hardwood floors, handmade mesquite wood cabinetry and countertops, as well as copper hardware and accents throughout.
“I didn't want granite or anything—I just love the wood counters,” she explains. “And we have a collection of French and American copperware we've amassed over years.”
The BlueStar electric oven and high BTU platinum range were made in Reading, Pa., an homage to Marguerite's hometown, Philadelphia. A powerful hood for the range was an imperative as well.
“I'm really enjoying not having the smell of habaneros go throughout the house,” she jokes. “The only drawback is you can't smell anything I'm cooking.”
Visitors to the house might also recognize ceiling fixtures from the former Montgomery Ward on W. Seventh in both the indoor and outdoor kitchens.
“I gave my outdoor kitchen a real workout while my kitchen was being renovated,” Marguerite says. “It's like we were camping.”
The outdoor space features a Twin Eagles gas grill, a pizza oven, large limestone sink, and gas and wood-burning fireplace, as well as a sconce from the Paris Subway. The couple also has a chicken coup with chickens rescued from stock shows by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.
“They don't really lay much any more, but they're sweet animals,” she says. “I used to have so many eggs, everyone on the street got eggs. You couldn't eat them fast enough.”
When asked about her favorite feature of the new remodel, Marguerite can't decide: “When you think about it for 30 years, the things you pick are definitely all your favorites.”