Comments on: Vintage 1941 Montgomery Ward metal kitchen cabinets http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/09/vintage-1941-montgomery-ward-metal-kitchen-cabinets/ A place for your postwar 40s 50s 60s and 70s style kitchens, bathrooms and mid century modern home aesthetic. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:30:59 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Sara in WA http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/09/vintage-1941-montgomery-ward-metal-kitchen-cabinets/comment-page-1/#comment-40066 Sara in WA Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:32:28 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=13794#comment-40066 I have a Montgomery Ward red sink cabinet with homemade planked wooden cabinets recycled from an old chicken coop I'm told from a family member whose parents owned the place. All still work fine although the cabinets are a little warped. I have a Montgomery Ward red sink cabinet with homemade planked wooden cabinets recycled from an old chicken coop I’m told from a family member whose parents owned the place. All still work fine although the cabinets are a little warped.

]]> By: pam kueber http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/09/vintage-1941-montgomery-ward-metal-kitchen-cabinets/comment-page-1/#comment-37500 pam kueber Tue, 12 May 2009 11:15:02 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=13794#comment-37500 Barclay, I think that during the war there actually were constraints on the availability of "colors." Also, prewar, the economy was still very slow -- no happy go lucky pastels. However, we did see rich streamline and deco colors - 40s Hollywood glamour colors. Barclay, I think that during the war there actually were constraints on the availability of “colors.” Also, prewar, the economy was still very slow — no happy go lucky pastels. However, we did see rich streamline and deco colors – 40s Hollywood glamour colors.

]]> By: pam kueber http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/09/vintage-1941-montgomery-ward-metal-kitchen-cabinets/comment-page-1/#comment-37499 pam kueber Tue, 12 May 2009 11:13:03 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=13794#comment-37499 fjp -- regarding the countertop: this set up, with the steel casings connecting the countertop pieces all along the run, is very very common in the 40s and into the early 50s. I will have to do some more research on this ... as I know that I have seen materials in my stash that explain the countertops ... but I believe the answer may be along these lines: The countertop material is a form of lineoleum. But it is not just smacked onto a piece of plywood like we do today with laminate. It is actually melded to other substrate materials for strength and durability. I am betting that also in those days it was just not practical to order a complete run all cut to fit. So the countertops were made in sections to fit each cabinet - then pieced together on site. I think that these things are really really durable. I've seen some still in existence today. Some of them also have curved integrated backsplashes also with steel pieces. They are actually quite the engineering marvel - reflecting the actuality of the techology available at the time. fjp — regarding the countertop: this set up, with the steel casings connecting the countertop pieces all along the run, is very very common in the 40s and into the early 50s. I will have to do some more research on this … as I know that I have seen materials in my stash that explain the countertops … but I believe the answer may be along these lines: The countertop material is a form of lineoleum. But it is not just smacked onto a piece of plywood like we do today with laminate. It is actually melded to other substrate materials for strength and durability. I am betting that also in those days it was just not practical to order a complete run all cut to fit. So the countertops were made in sections to fit each cabinet – then pieced together on site. I think that these things are really really durable. I’ve seen some still in existence today. Some of them also have curved integrated backsplashes also with steel pieces. They are actually quite the engineering marvel – reflecting the actuality of the techology available at the time.

]]> By: Barclay http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/09/vintage-1941-montgomery-ward-metal-kitchen-cabinets/comment-page-1/#comment-37489 Barclay Tue, 12 May 2009 05:12:28 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=13794#comment-37489 Like so many great posts of yours, this one makes me long to change my own kitchen....once again! The particular details I long for? The black baseboard that is always underneath vintage cabinets; it makes the cabinets feel like they're floating. Also, the ever-present dark flooring. My floor is already b/w Armstrong checker; I love it, but I notice those 40's kitchens have dark cork or brown or black floors; contrasting with the white or bright cabinets is really stunning. Oh, now you've got me started again! Like so many great posts of yours, this one makes me long to change my own kitchen….once again! The particular details I long for? The black baseboard that is always underneath vintage cabinets; it makes the cabinets feel like they’re floating. Also, the ever-present dark flooring. My floor is already b/w Armstrong checker; I love it, but I notice those 40’s kitchens have dark cork or brown or black floors; contrasting with the white or bright cabinets is really stunning. Oh, now you’ve got me started again!

]]> By: fjp http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/09/vintage-1941-montgomery-ward-metal-kitchen-cabinets/comment-page-1/#comment-37487 fjp Tue, 12 May 2009 02:15:19 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=13794#comment-37487 This looks for all the world like the same concept as the IKEA modular kitchen systems, right down to the half-moon shelves capping off a run of upper cabinets, just all rendered in metal instead of laminated particleboard. Some of the "design your own kitchen" advertising even reminds me of IKEA adverts. I do agree that having the counter top in sections is the most questionable part of this setup. I would think every one of those joints is a haven for dirt and food particles and a constant hassle to clean. This looks for all the world like the same concept as the IKEA modular kitchen systems, right down to the half-moon shelves capping off a run of upper cabinets, just all rendered in metal instead of laminated particleboard. Some of the “design your own kitchen” advertising even reminds me of IKEA adverts. I do agree that having the counter top in sections is the most questionable part of this setup. I would think every one of those joints is a haven for dirt and food particles and a constant hassle to clean.

]]> By: jill http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/09/vintage-1941-montgomery-ward-metal-kitchen-cabinets/comment-page-1/#comment-37475 jill Mon, 11 May 2009 21:30:12 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=13794#comment-37475 theres a sink just like the one in the photo on Chicagos Craigslist!! theres a sink just like the one in the photo on Chicagos Craigslist!!

]]> By: St. Christopher http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/09/vintage-1941-montgomery-ward-metal-kitchen-cabinets/comment-page-1/#comment-37443 St. Christopher Mon, 11 May 2009 05:30:10 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=13794#comment-37443 I really like the stainless trim pieces that integrate the drainboard sink with the counter top on each side. It's a subtle feature but the devil is in the details, eh? I do not so much like the split up counter top. I get the whole "buy a piece at a time" set up and it's a wonderful idea, but this would drive me nuts. Chris. I really like the stainless trim pieces that integrate the drainboard sink with the counter top on each side. It’s a subtle feature but the devil is in the details, eh? I do not so much like the split up counter top. I get the whole “buy a piece at a time” set up and it’s a wonderful idea, but this would drive me nuts.

Chris.

]]> By: Robert http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/09/vintage-1941-montgomery-ward-metal-kitchen-cabinets/comment-page-1/#comment-37441 Robert Mon, 11 May 2009 03:09:11 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=13794#comment-37441 I miss Monkey Wards. One time my mom gave me some advice, as we really didn’t purchase much there. She said, “Once in a few years there you get a little surprise and actually find something you want/need.” How true----all the memories I miss Monkey Wards.

One time my mom gave me some advice, as we really didn’t purchase much there. She said, “Once in a few years there you get a little surprise and actually find something you want/need.”

How true—-all the memories

]]> By: pam kueber http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/09/vintage-1941-montgomery-ward-metal-kitchen-cabinets/comment-page-1/#comment-37415 pam kueber Sat, 09 May 2009 23:29:56 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=13794#comment-37415 Good luck with your project, Maureen - sounds like a big one. I scan for relaxation - so I'll see if I can dig up more kitchens from 1949 for you! Good luck with your project, Maureen – sounds like a big one. I scan for relaxation – so I’ll see if I can dig up more kitchens from 1949 for you!

]]> By: Maureen http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/09/vintage-1941-montgomery-ward-metal-kitchen-cabinets/comment-page-1/#comment-37413 Maureen Sat, 09 May 2009 22:37:51 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=13794#comment-37413 I'm about to start planning a 1949 kitchen reno. We have to rip out the old wooden cupboards to insulate in front of the structural walls because we've had problems with water pipes freezing. This series will be helpful as I'm planning a 1949 inspired kitchen to blend with the rest of our bungalow! I’m about to start planning a 1949 kitchen reno. We have to rip out the old wooden cupboards to insulate in front of the structural walls because we’ve had problems with water pipes freezing. This series will be helpful as I’m planning a 1949 inspired kitchen to blend with the rest of our bungalow!

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