Burbank is a city with a distinct identity. From the equestrian streets of the Rancho District to the retro-chic avenues of Magnolia Park, the “Media Capital of the World” offers a living experience that feels like a small town amidst the bustle of Los Angeles. However, the housing stock here, primarily built in the 1940s and 50s, often presents a challenge for modern living. At Nobel Builders, we specialize in respecting the architectural heritage of these classic homes while upgrading them to meet contemporary standards of luxury and efficiency.
Our recent kitchen remodeling project in Burbank perfectly illustrates this balance. The property, located in the heart of the flatlands, was a charming post-war bungalow with “good bones” but a tired interior. The kitchen was a narrow galley, typical of the era, separated from the dining room and the backyard by walls and an outdated laundry porch. The homeowners loved the vintage vibe of their neighborhood but needed a kitchen that could handle the demands of a busy, modern family. Our goal was to create a space that honored Burbank’s history without being stuck in the past.
The primary friction point in many Burbank renovations is the footprint. These homes were designed for a different era of domestic life, where cooking was a secluded activity. The homeowners wanted to embrace the open-concept trend but were wary of stripping the house of its character. They didn’t want a generic “flip” kitchen; they wanted something that felt bespoke and authentic.
We approached the design by focusing on flow and connection. We removed the wall separating the kitchen from the formal dining area, creating a unified “Great Room” feel. This structural change immediately flooded the kitchen with light from the front picture window. However, to maintain architectural distinction, we installed a structural header wrapped in stained white oak, subtly delineating the kitchen zone from the living space without closing it off.
To align with Burbank’s “Modern Vintage” aesthetic, we utilized a Transitional Design strategy that merges clean, modern lines with mid-century roots. The project’s centerpiece was resolving the classic “service porch” dilemma: by relocating the laundry to a hallway closet and removing the partition wall, we expanded the kitchen by six linear feet. This structural shift allowed for the installation of a French door system, transforming the kitchen into a seamless gateway to the backyard and unlocking the quintessential Southern California indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
In Burbank’s high-demand real estate market, Nobel Builders specializes in modernizing vintage infrastructure to meet the rigorous standards of the City of Burbank Building Division. This renovation involved replacing corroded galvanized plumbing with modern copper and PEX lines and upgrading electrical circuits to dedicated 20-amp lines in strict accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC). To combat San Fernando Valley heat while adhering to California Title 24 Energy Standards, we installed high-efficiency dual-pane windows that preserve the home’s original sash aesthetics. By addressing these critical “behind-the-wall” components alongside premium finishes, we transformed a cramped 1950s layout into a turnkey asset that maximizes property equity near major studios like Disney and Warner Bros., ensuring long-term reliability and superior ROI.
Contact us today to schedule your complimentary design consultation and modernize your Burbank home with expert craftsmanship and full code compliance.
