Reviving an 1800’s Lakeside Kitchen with ILVE on Lake Minnetonka
Designed for Modern Living:
This kitchen was created to serve real life while honoring history:
Effortless Flow: An open layout that connects cooking, dining, and gathering spaces.
Luxury Appliances: The ILVE Majestic brings restaurant-quality performance to the home kitchen.
Enduring Materials: Natural quartzite, warm brass, and solid wood ensure beauty and durability for decades to come.
When a project description begins with a home originally built in 1880, we are immediately hooked. This lakeside beauty in Excelsior, Minnesota had lived many lives over nearly 150 years — and with that came multiple renovations that left the home feeling compartmentalized, stripped of much of its original charm.
The design team’s mission was clear: infuse history back into the home while embracing the client’s love of Updated Traditional style — a blend of timeless design, clean lines, and modern touches. The result is a masterclass in balancing heritage and innovation, where every detail tells a story. From the starburst pantry doors to the custom plaster range hood, the plaid stair runner, and the quartzite countertops, this renovation honors the past while creating a warm, functional home for a new generation.
Honoring the Architecture, Elevating the Experience
The renovation team approached this kitchen with one guiding principle: respect the 1800s architecture while delivering today’s performance. Custom cabinetry, a handcrafted plaster hood, and a dramatic quartzite backsplash set the stage for the ultimate centerpiece, an ILVE Majestic II 36-inch Dual Fuel Range.
This project is a testament to the power of collaboration between designers, builders, and architects, showing how thoughtful planning can yield a kitchen that feels both timeless and tailored.
The Culinary Centerpiece
At the heart of the renovation stands the ILVE Majestic II 36-inch dual fuel range, chosen for its professional performance, luxury finishes, and customizable design:
- Six Sealed Brass Burners: Including a high-output power burner for precision cooking, from simmer to sear.
- Integrated Griddle: perfect for everything from Sunday pancakes to weeknight grilled sandwiches.
- Dual-Function Electric Oven: Engineered for precise baking, roasting, and broiling, guided by a 4.3” full-touch display.
- Timeless Italian Craftsmanship: Handcrafted in Campodarsego, Italy, and available in 200+ RAL colors with multiple trim options.
This is more than an appliance — it is the architectural anchor of the kitchen, elevating both form and function.
Why ILVE for Historic Renovations
For homeowners and designers tackling renovations in older homes, ILVE offers the rare ability to bridge eras, marrying heritage-inspired aesthetics with modern culinary technology. Each range is handcrafted in Italy, making it a true statement piece that respects history while serving today’s lifestyle.
