Defense of old homes is a favorite conversation of owners of vintage homes but
seldom do you hear talk about a kitchen restored to its former glory. These
beautiful historical homes we have grown to love and appreciate, did not have
the kind of kitchens we expect today. Historical kitchens today are antiquated,
inefficient and poorly laid out.
In a conventional pre-war model, kitchens were work areas plain and simple.
Everything in the kitchens were freestanding from the huge cast iron stove, the
sink on porcelain legs, the icebox and a table that doubled as a workspace.
Those that were modernized in the 1950s, '60s, or '70s often held even less
appeal than the ones before. The countertop, flooring, and ceiling materials in
them were no match visually as the hardwoods, linoleum's, and metals they
replaced. Appliances were disappointing at best with their dismal colors.
Today we want to envision the flavor of the kitchens we imagine our
great-grandparents loved and enjoyed. Homey, warmth and filled with the aroma of
good cooking. Fortunately, replicating the mood of a vintage kitchen in an
existing space has never been easier. As demand for kitchen accessories with a
patina of age has grown, so has the availability of period materials.
Architectural salvage and well-designed reproduction hardware and appliances are
relatively easy to locate. Resources for old-fashioned pieces can be found by
perusing advertisements in many home design magazines and inquiring at local
antiques' shops and architectural salvage companies.
Cabinets, more than any other single element in the design, establish the look
and feel of a kitchen. To give a kitchen a historic feeling, designers caution
against filling the kitchen with modern built ins. Architectural salvage
companies often stock vintage cabinets in wood or metal. These cabinets mix well
with freestanding antique or reproduction pieces. An antique dresser or a dry
sink adds charm as well as semi-customized items like plate racks and open
shelving. Painted wood cabinets may warp when stripped so be advised to try one
cabinet door first. Metal cabinets should be stripped, buffed, and lacquered to
prevent them from rusting.
Stone countertops are companionable with old-fashioned kitchens as long as the
stone is honed to a soft finish not sleek and modern. Vermont soapstone is one
popular choice.
For flooring, designers usually recommend hardwood. Linoleum, maligned for
years, is making a comeback. Unused rolls of vintage linoleum from the '20s to
the '50s can often be found at salvage companies or at specialty stores. On the
ceiling, pressed metal makes quite a statement, particularly when left in its
natural state. As an alternative, try heavy Anaglypta paper, a cream-colored
wallpaper embossed in a variety of period patterns. It is less expensive to
install than pressed metal and once painted, achieves a much similar effect.
Finding valid looking stoves and also refrigerators, became easier in the mid
1980s when the country look was blossoming. Our grandparents' stoves have all
been refurbished and are easier than ever to find. No matches needed!. Though
most old stoves are white, some occasionally turn up in cream, green, or cobalt
blue. Hoods are more difficult to find to match your stove since they were not
around one hundred years ago. Try buying wood and blending it into the upper
cabinetry.
Vintage style hardware is the icing on the cake for the finishing touch on your
period look kitchen. Designers suggest historic brass, satin nickel or a
blackened finish. The hardware makes the whole kitchen look as if it has been
there for years just like the rest of your vintage home.
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