Scathing Jane seems to have caught the steel kitchen cabinet bug even more than me. She recently sent this TREMENDOUS find my way — English Rose cabinets. Same as in America, England had surplus metals available after the war. In this case: Aluminium. These English Roses are iconic – and now highly collectible.
Here’s a clip from an article about these cabinets: “The first English Rose kitchen was made in Warwickshire in 1948…by CSA Industries, an engineering firm that originally made nose cones for Spitfires. After the war ended, CSA used stock-piles of aircraft-grade aluminium by diversifying into up-market kitchens.”
Interestingly, the drawer design of these cabinets closely resembles our “American” brand, pictured below. Even see how they both have “trolley carts”… hmmm, maybe the companies shared some tooling? Nonethess, the English Roses’ recessed stainless steel handles really distinguish them.
1953 American brand steel kitchen
Thanks, SJ, keep your cabinet finds coming!
U.K. and European readers: Where to find English Rose steel cabinets 
John Lewis of Hungerford reproduction English Rose cabinets 
Rose Red 50s steel kitchen — and a tile you can get, today 
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im looking for the cabnet drawer stops for the american steel cabnets. if anyone knows where to get them please email me at pattistevealex@yahoo.com thank you
Patti: No known, one-stop sources for this vintage hardware. See FAQ: http://retrorenovation.com/category/faqs/
You are going to have to “hunt and peck” for this online and in hardware stores, I’m afraid….
Any good ideas about how to remove old paint from an English rose cabinet in preparation for painting?
Moira
Moira, this is not a Do It Yourself site, although readers do sometimes share their experience. On this one, please consult with a professional – and be aware that there can be lead in that old paint – so get informed of proper environmental and safety precautions.