The posh Intown Atlanta neighborhood is a place where old meets new. Going through many transitions over the years, the houses in this neighborhood tell stories from different decades, even centuries. From sprawling structures built during the Civil War era to split duplexes with tell-tale signs of 1960s design, the neighborhood offers a glimpse into Georgia’s architectural history.

Over time, these historic homes often need a fresh take to improve functionality and reinvigorate their appearance. Integrating contemporary design concepts into these homes adds another layer of character, reflecting the stories of current homeowners as individuals, couples or families. 

One of these remodels includes a 4,000-sq-ft craftsman-style house, which has seen its share of renovations over the years. The 3-story structure originally served as multifamily housing, then was converted to a traditional single-family home. The homeowner entrusted Rothman + Rothman Design to reinvigorate the space with a modern take that integrates the character provided by the home’s history.

“We wanted to retain the feel of the original craftsman style, but clean it up to make it more modern,” said Jenny Rothman, designer and co-owner of Rothman + Rothman Design. To refresh the home, their approach included mixing high-quality materials to achieve timeless contrast. Rothman explained, “The client loves rich, elegant materials, so we tried to think outside of the box to deliver that.”

This led Rothman to select the metallic PET surface REHAU RAUVISIO ferro Empire Skyline for a large appliance wall in the kitchen and built-in cabinet storage in the mudroom near the back entry. “A big wall can be very stark, but the metallic surface adds warmth,” she said. “RAUVISIO ferro fit perfectly with the metal and charcoal accents and other selections we made throughout the home.”

To elevate the warmth and contrast in the kitchen, the designers also tied in textured oak, a marble backsplash, white plank floors and wood cabinets beneath the counter and stovetop with Top Knobs hardware in polished nickel.

With Miele touch-to-open appliances installed throughout the kitchen, it was important that the chosen cabinet surfaces could withstand the demands of daily use and deliver a seamless look. Opting for RAUVISIO ferro provided durability while contributing to the home’s refined, contemporary design.

=“We wanted a statement wall that would camouflage the push-to-open appliances. We couldn’t use a basic metal because it would easily scratch and show fingerprints when opening appliances,” explained Rothman. “RAUVISIO ferro fit the bill for this huge wall with its scratch-resistance and fingerprint resistance, so we repeated it in the mudroom that also has touch-to-open closets. The whole science behind this surface is intriguing!”

 Wood Cabinet Design, the cabinet manufacturer for the remodel, agreed. “The combination of touch-to-open appliances with fingerprint resistance is a huge benefit,” said Rudy Seferovich, co-owner of the father-and-son business. “This allowed the client to have huge doors on their appliance wall, without worrying about fingerprints.”

He continued, “We show REHAU surfaces to our clients because they combine modern design with resilience. We have REHAU on the main shelves for the same reason that car dealerships have the nicest models out front.”

Since the appliance wall in the kitchen was so large, Wood Cabinet Design chose to order fully-finished cabinet doors from REHAU rather than working with their coordinated boards and edgeband. “This was a big job, so ordering finished doors was a huge time and labor saver,” Rudy noted. “It took part of the job off our minds.”

With a wide variety of components concealed within the appliance wall, including a coffee station, oven, freezer, microwave, wine cooler and shelving, Rudy found it challenging to align the levels and ensure straight lines.

His hard work and dedication paid off, as Rothman stated, “This is one of the best kitchens we’ve done. The layout, size and convenience of the built-in, touch-to-open appliances are great. You don’t see anything at all.”

Elvir Seferovich, co-owner of Wood Cabinet Design, added, “The kitchen was twice as big before, but it wasn’t as well-equipped as it is now. The client has everything they need in a smaller footprint. We achieved a simple, balanced design where less is more.” 

With great success seen in the functionality and design of the remodel, the kitchen was featured in the selective 2024 Tour of Kitchens sponsored by Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Magazine. For more than 20 years, this popular event has showcased standout kitchen designs throughout metropolitan Atlanta, allowing designers and those in residential construction to share their work and draw inspiration. 

The revived home was the site of another notable celebration – the homeowner’s daughter got married there after the remodel was complete. “The client loves their newly designed home,” Rothman shared. “It’s a big difference from before. It used to be very traditional, but we upgraded it for a sleeker, modern look.”

The elegant upgrade is a result of the shared expertise and commitment among project team members to create an inspiring space that reflects their client’s unique journey. “With REHAU surface materials, our skills and Rothman’s design, we created a kitchen that looks very elegant,” said Elvir. “REHAU is consistent on quality, which is why we use their surfaces and will continue to use them more in the future.”

Rothman agreed, “We use REHAU surfaces frequently and have them specified for several upcoming projects. We plan on using REHAU surfaces in our own house!”