1940s bungalow kitchen before:
1940s bungalow kitchen after:
Wow, Suzann’s 1940s bungalow style kitchen remodel is — fantastic. So bright and cheery, I know this transformation is going to excite a lot of readers. And, after five years of doing no stories at all about Ikea kitchen cabinets, here’s a second one in a row — using different cabinets than the Akurums that Jerry used. Read on for Suzann’s story and the list of resources she used to design and construct this happy space.
Suzann writes:This is a kitchen in our detached 540 sq ft in-law suite, where my mother is moving in. We’ve revamped the whole place. We wanted to make a cutesy, cheery kitchen that would align with the era of the home- 40’s bungalow style.
The cabinets are Ikea. The floor is Armstrong VCT, special order from Home Depot (same price as the ones on the shelf, but takes 2 weeks) to match our apple green Caesarstone countertop (ordered at Ikea, subbed out to a local installer). I made all the curtains from gauzy linen with lace trim to soften up all the subway tile (American Olean 2×4″ in “biscuit”).
We drove 4 hours to pick up that GE fridge in the next state. It is late 30’s-early 40’s.The previous single owner bought it during WW2 with cash rations and used it all her life. She kept in tip top condition for 80 years.
Next to that is a little vintage metal enamel table that we found on the roadside while out walking one evening, same story on the Eames chair. Together, they make a little desk area. Any other questions, just let me know! Thanks again!
Suzann, this remodel is so sweet — thank you! Your mother surely will love it, but stop calling her surely. haha. Little joke there. Things I luv in particular:
- 54o s.f. Yowza. I am telling you, there are many days now, that all I want to have to clean, heat and pay taxes on for is: 540 s.f.
- Bisquit-colored subway tile. I think this is a great way to do it… Back in the day, the whites were not so white. I adore the aged look of the bisquit.
- The door style you chose for a bungalow kitchen is the “right” one.
- Love the basketweave floor. Lofe the apple green. Love the fridge.
- But most of all, love the dumpster diving enamel table, and that you gave it a happy new home. 🙂
Resource list for Suzann’s bungalow kitchen remodel:
- Ikea kitchen cabinets – Adel door style — now discontinued, but Ikea usually has a line with the same look
- Countertops from are Apple Martini from Caesarstone — color no longer available butsee their catalog for lotsa options.
- Kitchen sink: Ikea Domsjo — now discontinued, but Ikea usually has a line with the same look
- Armstrong VCT, ordered from Home Depot in White Out, Kickin Kiwi, and Lunar Blue.
- 30 patterns from 1955 for arranging vinyl floor tiles
- American Olean Starting Line wall tile, bisquit gloss from Home Depot. Suzann notes: “It comes in a 12″x12″ sheet, but I still put a spacer in between each one to straighten them.” Update: Seems discontinued, but there are lots of tiles out there like this now.
- Rebuilt windows: Woodwindowmakeover.com in Tampa, Florida. Suzann says: I’d like to credit our window craftsman (Woodwindowmakeover.com); their replica sashes for all three windows in the kitchen made all the difference in keeping with the period. They sell parts, etc for old wood windows, or can rebuild the whole window sash if the wood is too far gone (like they did here).
Michael says
Cheerful and charming personified. Great job!
Annie B. says
Absolutely inspirational. You give me hope.
Your mom will love this darling place. Wonderful period restoration, and, I love the green.
Diane G says
This is so great! Everything about it is perfect – and what a nice place it will be to spend time in.
Jenny says
That is one of the most stunning “before” and “after” shots I’ve ever seen. I LOVE what you did with this kitchen and I LOVE the apple green. Absolutely fantastic!
Patrick Coffey says
Wow that is an awesome transformation…..and that 1941/1942 GE Fridge is gorgeous
pam kueber says
It is always so impressive to see you put a date on those appliances, Patrick!!!
Patrick Coffey says
Thanks Pam….it is not hard to do when you are always scouring ebay for vintage appliance manuals and looking at ads in vintage home magazines of the era….I also happen top have the manual for the 1942 version already in my files as well….
suzann says
Thanks for pinning down the year!
Patrick Coffey says
My pleasure Suzann I see the owners manual for this fridge on Ebay every once in a while……..just thought you might like to know that in case you would want to find the manual for it
Nathan says
Spectacular! What an outstanding transformation. So much personality, style, and fun in that kitchen. Congrats.
chris H says
Looks great. Those drawer fronts look pretty good for the period you are trying to re-create.
Nancy says
Great job – hope your Mom has many happy years in her little bungalow! It’s such a happy room, now.
But…. GASP!!!! The original sink!!!! Soapstone? What happened to that fabulous piece of what-I-have-always-dreamed-of-having-someday? Do tell!
chris says
Nancy — I thought the same thing about the big original sink!!!!!!
Marta says
I love that original sink, but I don’t think it’s soapstone. It looks concrete to me. I have no set tub, and my heart yearns when I see these.
Elaine says
I agree it is likely a concrete laundry tub. We had that in the basement of our 40s bungalow when I was a kid. Everybody on the block had them. I was given many baths in them, and also they were great for cooling off kids on a super hot day.
Jeanne says
Yes, concrete. We’ve had one in the basement of every house we’ve owned. In one house we had to replace it with a smaller fiberglass laundry tub and my husband busted it out with a sledge hammer. They are heavy as heck.
suzann says
The sink is concrete and don’t worry- it went to a good home! The craftsman who transformed the casement windows (woodwindowmakeover.com) got it, and he is using it.
pam kueber says
Hi Suzann! Everyone is LOVING your kitchen!!!
denise says
HA! like all of you, my thought also was, “hey, I need that double bowl big-ass sink!” I loathe the fiberglass/plastic ones.
Robin says
Uh….WoW!!! What a difference in the before and after pics! I love everything about this renovation. I also thought the design on the floor was so COOL!
chris says
Suzann — this is absolutely beautiful! So bright and happy! I can imagine you having morning coffee and here and watching the birds chirp outside of your window!
Love this!
(That floor is really neat!)