|
|
San Diego real estate library
Kitchens and Restoration in Vintage Homes
Protection 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 standard 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 depict 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,
control 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 suggest 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 realistic 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.
San Diego real estate library |
 |
