Kitchen of the Week: “Preserving the Spirit of the Old” in Reims, France

A while back, Annie discovered a charming rehabbed house in Reims, a city in the Champagne region of France—more resuscitation than renovation. We’re revisiting it again, this time focusing on the singular kitchen. (You can see the whole house tour here.)

The kitchen belongs to antique store owners Annabelle Brun and Brice Bérard. It’s inside a massive former artist’s studio that the couple have painstakingly transformed into a home for their family of five (plus two rental guest apartments). Their one goal during the remodeling process: “preserving the spirit of the old.”

Get ready to be charmed. And afterward, hop over to their Instagram accounts @briceberardantiques (for their wares) and @les_penates_home (for interiors photos).

Photography courtesy of Les Penates Home.

Above: “All of the furniture and decor in the house was discovered by Brice and myself at professional antique markets,” says Brun. The couple also works with demolition companies to salvage interesting pieces, like this oversized vintage window that separates the kitchen from the open living room. Above: A coat of white paint on the exposed brick freshens up the space. A few unexpected moments: a single black accordion sconce and an antique mirror as backsplash behind the stove. Above: The hex-tiled ledge backsplash comes in handy for displaying and storing. Above: A fool-proof way to add character to any kitchen: bring in old furniture pieces. Here, a weathered buffet serves as kitchen island. Above: Details matter. Note the unique light switches. Above: The view from the main living space into the kitchen. The kitchen has no windows to the exterior but a skylight (one of a handful  designed and custom-built by a local company) provides some natural light.

For more Kitchens of the Week, see:

• Kitchen of the Week: At Home with the Ultimate Minimalists, the Creators of Cereal Magazine
• Kitchen of the Week: At Home in the French Countryside with an Upstart Champagne Producer, Vipp Kitchen Included
• Kitchen of the Week: A Designer’s Own Ikea Hack Kitchen in Provence, Before and After

N.B.: This story first appeared on November 1, 2021 and has been updated with new information.