| Kitchens and Restoration in Vintage Homes |
Kitchens and Restoration in Vintage Homes
Preservation of old homes is a favorite conversation of owners of vintage homes but rarely 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 typical prewar 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 capture 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, determine 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 compatible 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 authentic 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 antique 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.
|
All About Kitchen Remodeling Is the flooring in your kitchen stained and cracked? Are the countertops marred with burns and ...
read more
Basic Kitchen Plans The efficient u-shape plan is versatile and usually puts one's workstation on each of three walls. The ...
read more
Being Comfortable With Your Kitchen Renovation Being realistic with your budget is the first rule of renovation. In renovation, budget ...
read more
Ceramic Tile Kitchen Countertops Ceramic tiles for kitchen countertops have become a must have in home buyers' kitchens. Whether you ...
read more
Considering New Kitchen Cabinets The style you select for your new kitchen cabinets depends totally on you. What feel do ...
read more
Creating Mosaic Countertops Creating a real tile mosaic on almost any surface top is easy. The first step would be ...
read more
Does Your House Need a Kitchen Remodel? Is it time to upgrade your house with a kitchen remodel? While professionals ...
read more
Finding A Reliable Contractor Home repair, kitchen renovation and improvement is a process you may not be familiar with until ...
read more
How to Design a Kitchen Remodel The design of a kitchen remodel is, for many people, the most satisfying and ...
read more
Increase the Value of Your Home with a Kitchen Remodel While many home owners decide to remodel their kitchens out ...
read more
Kitchen Remodeling Ideas and Floors It is easy to be excited when shopping for kitchen flooring after we have gone ...
read more
Kitchens and Restoration in Vintage Homes Preservation of old homes is a favorite conversation of owners of vintage homes but ...
read more
Know Your Kitchen Contractors Credentials Checking out kitchen contractors doesn't have to be a dreaded job when considering the investment ...
read more
Outdoor Kitchen Ideas Outdoor kitchens are becoming all the rage these days making family barbecues easier than ever! Cooking on ...
read more
Remodeling Your Kitchen Remodeling your kitchen can be either a massive, grueling undertaking, or a relatively pleasant experience, with only ...
read more
Remodeling Your Kitchen? Why You Should Also Change Your Decor Have you recently decided to replace your kitchen cabinets, retile ...
read more
Secrets of a Painless Kitchen Remodel You've had it. Your kitchen floor is old and stained, your cupboards are so ...
read more
Simple Kitchen Ideas For Inside or Outdoor Kitchens You don't have to be stuck making meals in a kitchen that's ...
read more
Stone Options in Countertops The look is rich, the feel is luxurious and the material is durable. Such is the ...
read more
The Best Cabinets for Your Kitchen Upgrading the cabinets in your kitchen can improve the looks of it dramatically. If ...
read more
Things to Consider When Pondering a Home Addition When taking the plunge to do a kitchen remodel that includes a ...
read more
Today's Kitchens Contemporary kitchens are full of energy-efficient appliances and state-of-the-art flooring and countertops. With interest in gourmet cooking high, ...
read more
Types of Contractors A general contractor is the main contractor you have to hire for a major renovation project. The ...
read more
Update Your Kitchen Your kitchen is where you and your family spend a great deal of time. Your kitchen is ...
read more
Varieties of Kitchen Sinks Kitchen sinks are definitely the most important component found in kitchens anywhere in the world. The ...
read more
Who to Hire for Your Kitchen Remodel You've decided at last to commit to that long-delayed kitchen remodel. As you ...
read more
|
|
|
Disclaimer:
The Publisher has strived to be as accurate and complete as possible in
the creation of this website, notwithstanding the fact that he does not
warrant or represent at any time that the contents within are accurate
due to the rapidly changing nature of the Internet.
This site
is a common sense guide to Kitchens and Restoration in Vintage Homes. In practical advice websites,
like anything else in life, there are no guarantees of income made.
Readers are cautioned to reply on their own judgment about their
individual circumstances to act accordingly.
This site
is not intended for use as a source of legal, business, accounting or
financial advice. All readers are advised to seek services of competent
professionals in legal, business, accounting, and finance field.
Any
perceived slights of specific people or organizations are unintentional.
|