I spent a lovely Saturday in my favorite coastal Massachusetts city of Newburyport on a self-guided tour featuring classic modern kitchen renovations in a variety of homes ranging from newly constructed dwellings to renovated historic residences. Each of the nine selected homes in the Kitchen Tour 2022 represent the latest in innovation, functionality and design – where historical design meets modern amenities. I made it to six of the homes and took some amazing photos I wanted to share. I’d like to thank the Newburyport PTO for the invitation. Much of the great detail I’m sharing below is from the tour book, so I thank the organizers for that – no need to take notes! Don’t let the lack of people in my pics mislead you – this tour was a big success. I’m just really good at sneaking in pics when no one is in them. And sometimes I’m obnoxious and ask people to step out.
Let’s get on with the tour!
Harrison Street Classic Modern Kitchen
Builder: Gray Capital LLC | Interior Designer: Joppa Interiors
The 1850’s high-style Georgian house was bought in 2019 and over the course of the next two years, completely renovated by the current owners. The goal was to create a timeless space that maintained the charm of the original home while featuring a large, open and inviting kitchen to accommodate family gatherings.
The kitchen is in the rear of the house and extends most of the back wall. The kitchen features pure white cabinetry from Showplace, TopKnobs hardware in honey bronze, a Rohl apron sink with Waterstone faucet, La Cornue stove and Calcutta quartz countertops. The white brick backsplash features a German Schmear finish, applied by the homeowners, adds a vintage touch.
I love the little seating area adjacent to the kitchen. Hard to tell in the images, but this area is facing the living room area for a nice open feeling.
Please enjoy the Harrison Street Slide Show featuring more kitchen pics, plus other rooms, mudroom and gardens.
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Salem Street Classic Modern Kitchen
Kitchen Architect: Rachel Harris of Vesta Architecture \ Builder: BLB Custom Home
This sunny yellow 1850 Green Revival home was recently renovated. Entering through the newly re-designed side entrance, you walk through the dining area into the bright and sunny kitchen with fir beams and lots of windows. The kitchen features a Thermador Chef’s Range, Franke Farmhouse sink, Brizo faucet and a Bosch stainless French door refrigerator. The countertops are Calcutta gold quartz on cabinets painted Benjamin Moore French Canvas and BM Revere Pewter on the island cabinets. The hardware is from Restoration Hardware and lighting from Cedar & Moss. The wall are BM White Dove.
The vintage runner is just the right accent for this clean and fresh kitchen.
Please enjoy the Salem Street Slide Show featuring more kitchen pics, plus other rooms and gardens.
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Jefferson Street Classic Modern Kitchen
Kitchen Architect: Linda Cloutier Kitchen and Baths | Builder: Kaminski Construction
This Federal style home was built in 1805 by Amos Coffin, Jr. a shipwright and part of the bustling ship building district along the banks of the Merrimack River. This two-story wood post-and-beam framed house with a pitched roof is an excellent example of early domestic architecture. A 2019-2021 renovation included an addition to bring the home up to modern standards.

The kitchen features quartz countertops, Kohler sink, Bosch microwave and dishwasher, Wolf gas range, Sub-Zero wine storage behind custom cabinetry, a Miele refrigerator/freezer.
Please enjoy the Jefferson Street Slide Show featuring more kitchen pics, plus other rooms and landscaped gardens and patio by Frontier Landscaping.
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High Road Classic Modern Kitchen
Design: Holly Gagne Interior Design | Builder: The True Company | Architect: Benjamin Nutter Architects
Cabinet Maker: Newbury Cabinetry Inc. | Paint: Big Dog Painting | Flooring & Refinishing: Premier Woodcrafting
This newer home was built in 2009 with a dark and traditional feel. The new owners wanted a light and brighter more modern feel with lots of natural light that would work for family and pets. The project included updating cabinetry, appliances and surface finishes. The spacious kitchen features Aria Quartzite counters, a Blanco Quadro stainless sink on the island and one at the perimeter to compliment the scale of the kitchen and workflow. Faucets of Rohl Lombardia pull-down in satin nickel. The island lighting is FACTORY by Urban Electric and the scones are from Restoration Hardware. The plastered angled range hood covers th 48IN Dual Fuel range. Refrigerator, freezer and dishwashers are Sub-Zero.
I didn’t’ get a great overall pic of this kitchen, so head on over to designer Holly Gagne’s website for some great pics.
The wall color is BM White Dove with cabinetry painted BM Revere Pewter.
Please enjoy the High Road Slide Show featuring more kitchen pics, plus other rooms and landscaped gardens, patio and pool
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Lime Street Classic Modern Kitchen
Kitchen Design, Interior Design and Builder: Joppa Design Inc.
Behind this tangerine painted facade is an equally colorful interior. Built in 1798, this Gambrel-roofed Georgian appeals to the New England artistic tradition. The extraordinary mural in the front hall was hand-painted by the owner’s late wife Erin Stack. The goals of the kitchen remodel were to create more natural light and better storage; create a connection to the yard, gardens and family room.
The colorful kitchen was designed with nature and the coastal surroundings in mind and honors the vision of the homeowner. The custom Decora cabinetry is painted Sherwin Williams “Distance” and the island is Sherwin Williams “Sunflower”. The countertops are PentalQuartz in Coastal Grey. The stove is LG Signature Dual-fuel with double oven. The breakfast nook with L-shaped banquette overlooks the curated perennial gardens in the backyard. The property has a converted carriage house, now an artist’s studio.
This was actually the only kitchen on the tour that features colorful painted cabinetry. The all-white kitchens are beautiful, but there is no doubt that a cheerful and colorful kitchen is invigorating! Joppa Design Inc. is a regular on the Newburyport Kitchen Tours – you can see other examples of their work here and here.
Please enjoy the Lime Street Slide Show featuring more kitchen pics, plus other spaces and amazing yards.
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High Street Classic Modern Kitchen
Architecture & Design: Geerlings Interiors | Kitchen Cabinetry: Custom Cabinets by Lebel | Summer Kitchen Cabinetry: 41 Oak
This award-winning renovation of an 1866 Italianate home was redesigned to have an exquisite chef-styled kitchen, functional for cooking, entertaining and low maintenance for a busy young family. Walking past the grand staircase, you pass between two custom built-in oak cabinet pantries reminiscent of old ice-chests, in keeping with the style of the home. The carefully planned kitchen as four zones in which to prep, cook, each and clean up.
The first island features an Imperial White Danby marble surface with quarter sawn oak cabinetry under two polished nickel Visual Comfort chandeliers. The stainless steel topped island and Kohler stages sink is adjacent to a tall wall of cabinets, flanked by two Liebherr refrigerators, and a Miele steam oven. The cooking station features a Signature Kitchen Suite dual oven with a built-in sous vide and convection oven, in addition to gas and induction cook-tops.
In 2021 a secondary kitchen space was added including an EarthStone commercial wood and gas pizza oven.
This house was also a stop on the 2018 Newburyport Holiday House Tour. It’s interesting to see the changes made in the last four years. Read about it here and scroll down.
Please enjoy the High Street Slide Show featuring more kitchen pics, the summer kitchen/pizza oven, other interiors and spectacular porch and landscapes
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Pin for future reference
I went up to Newburyport a couple of days ahead of the tour and spent one of the days driving up the coast of New Hampshire up to York, Maine. The weather was spectacular – here’s a post on my driving tour up the spectacular New England coastline from Massachusetts to Maine – enjoy!
All photos by Linda Merrill except where noted.

Thanks so much for the armchair tour of these exquisite spaces, Linda! Someday, I’m going to make it up for this tour myself, but I so appreciate being able to see it through your eyes anyway 🙂
Thanks Janet! It’s worth the trip!