Functionality and convenience for everyday use

As part of the ongoing journey to blend history with modern living, the old wood-fired kitchen range was due for an update: a modern electric oven and induction hob were to be added alongside it, allowing old and new to coexist both functionally and visually.

Vintage Kitchen Meets 2026

A traditional indoor wood stove with a black pipe, small candle, and hanging kitchen utensils, including a glove and a towel, surrounded by wall-mounted shelves with kitchen items, and a corner bench with pet bowls on the floor.
Incomplete brick fireplace or stove under construction with tools and materials nearby.

Work done by:

Lustig / Barros

Year
2025 - 2026

What began carefully soon turned into a process of demolition, rebuilding, and problem-solving, embracing the surprises that come with updating a home from 1912.

Corner of a room with a partially demolished brick wall and scattered debris on the floor.

This involved a considerable amount of dust and the removal of old bricks.

Part of a wall under renovation showing exposed bricks and construction materials on the floor.

The first step was to remove an old wooden shelf previously used for firewood storage. During this process, an unexpected discovery was made: a large opening beneath the floor, leading down into an inaccessible part of the cellar.

A protective metal mesh was installed to prevent rodents from accessing the space beneath the new installation.

Floor with exposed bricks and a small section of drywall, with electrical wires, a piece of foam, and a label reading 'NCD' nearby

The void had to be secured. It was carefully filled with fireproof cement and sealed to ensure structural stability and, importantly, to prevent mice from entering from below.

Floor repair work showing a partially removed carpet, insulation, and exposed subfloor with a repair kit and hoses nearby.

A certified electrician was brought in to install the correct sockets and wiring for the new electric oven and induction hob – an essential step in safely combining traditional and modern cooking. New truly meets old.

Corner of a room with a rustic white stucco wall, a black stove pipe rising from an old stove, and a small wood floor area with a white mat and some cables.

While removing part of the old wood-burning oven base, sections of the surrounding structure were damaged. These areas were repaired and rebuilt, filled with cement, and finished with a fast-drying white compound (Husfix). All exposed parts were then covered with non-flammable materials, and protective metal mesh was installed to prevent rodents from accessing the space beneath the new installation and to eliminate drafts from under the house.

Here, a non-combustible building board is used that also withstands moisture.

SEE FINAL RESULT HERE!

Renovation is just a long chain of owner decisions.
Some modernize. Some time-travel.
Which is exactly why a house that’s over 100 years old is never boring - it’s a collaboration with the past.

A cozy kitchen and dining area with a window, curtains, table, chairs, and decorative plants.
Vintage kitchen corner with a wooden table and four chairs, a window with green trim, and various old-fashioned items on the walls and shelves.

1939 - 2009

Room under renovation with outdated kitchen cabinet, partially removed wall, and construction materials scattered on the floor.

2018

2010

Small kitchen and dining area with a table, chairs, a window with curtains, a refrigerator, cabinets, and a door
Cozy rustic kitchen with a window, wooden furniture, and vintage decor.

1939 - 2009

A kitchen with white cabinets, a window above the sink, and a view of green fields outside. There is a round wooden table with a chair and some items on it, including keys, a remote, and papers. The room has hardwood floors and a doorway leading to another room with a dresser and an armchair.

2018

2023