Erin Napier’s niche is old houses. Whether she’s tackling elaborate renovations on her show Home Town or restoring the Mississippi country home she now shares with her husband and children, it’s clear she knows her way around historic design. While these renovations present some obvious challenges from the jump — years of wear and tear, outdated wiring, complicated floor plans — the finishing touches often trip up restorers, renovators and designers. Napier, on the other hand, seems to have made things up.
Whether you’re going for a full restoration or a simpler reno, it’s still important to honor the bones of the home you’re working with. Otherwise, design elements can feel disjointed when placed in the context of such a historic space. A prime example of this is kitchen countertops. While white countertops look timeless to modern eyes, according to Napier, a bright, bright surface can look jarring in a home built in the 19th or early 20th century. “I’m so tired of looking at whiteboards,” she shared on “Home Town” season 7, episode 17 (via House Beautiful). “It would feel really out of sync to put a countertop like this in a house from 1900.”
While stylish countertops weren’t completely phased out in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the white countertop craze didn’t fully take off until the 1920s. If you’re considering renovating your old home or simply want to create a look that draws on history, it may be time to consider alternative countertop materials and eschew more modern perceptions of what is considered timeless.
How to choose a countertop material that matches the history of your kitchen
Before choosing a countertop material, it’s important to consider the history of your home. White countertops would look too elegant in an early 19th century farmhouse, but could work in mid century modern kitchen design. It is also necessary to decide how closely you will try to achieve historical accuracy. Kitchens as we know them today did not appear until the mid-20th century, and before that they were significantly more focused on function than form. Because of this, it may need to be tweaked a bit to create a space that feels historic but still includes modern amenities.
Now look at the materials. Country kitchens in a villa or country house they will benefit from imperfect, simple materials. Consider butcher block, reclaimed wood, or warm-toned quartz. Soapstone is another of Napier’s favorites for these spaces, but if you’re looking for a more cost-effective alternative with a similar look, she recommends Black Mist Granite. While minor wear and texture may seem like negatives, they can go a long way in preventing that jarring, ultra-modern look, instead making a space feel lived-in, even if it’s just been renovated. Victorian homes, like the project Napier took on in season 7, episode 17 of “Home Town,” will also benefit from a slab with some texture and color, though you can go more polished. For this project in particular, she chose granite in a warm tone with brown flecks.
If you feel like you’re still swimming in too many options, look to the other original design elements in your home. Does it have a historic fireplace, stained glass, or ornate paneling? Take inspiration from these features and you’re guaranteed to create a kitchen design that feels cohesive.
