Maile’s tiny 1970s galley kitchen was dark, narrow and covered with years of grime — but that didn’t stop her from seeing its potential to be delightful. With a careful budget to overhaul the space — including moving a wall — Maile made a plan to maximize her kitchen, while adding some cheery color on the countertops and flooring. The result of her hard work is a functional and sunny 1940s-style kitchen that makes Maile want to bake the day away.
My home is a double wide that was built in ’77. The elderly couple that lived here smoked… and the whole place had that ‘old, grimey’ odor. Anyway, as you know back in the ’70s, kitchens were so much tinier. This was a galley kitchen that had 24″ floor space between sink and stove.
The construction of the cabinets was just about a step and a half above cardboard, and there was such an appalling lack of space utilization. The faux wood paneling and tiny stainless two side sink made everything so dark.
So keeping the budget to 16K, I punched the stove wall out two feet into the living room, added a garden window, and went with glass upper cabinets.
I used Wilsonart Laminate 4916-60 Sweet Corn for the countertops, with stainless edging that my contractor got (not sure from where), Armstrong Marmorette NATURCote LP020 Sweet Grass (this is commercial grade, but extremely environmentally sound, and will require a professional floor layer as it is persnickety for the DIYer) on the floor. Thanks to Retro Renovation, I found the Hudee ring for the sink. I got the sink from a salvage store for just $40! It was a mess, but with Bar Keepers Friend, I got it bright white again. The paint is Behr, from Home Depot.
I went with the 40’s because my last home was my grandparents’ house in San Diego, built in 1939. I love the feel and products of back then.
I’ve inherited many items from family and have collected items to finish out the look. They are my inspiration pieces. Among all the items in the kitchen, I have something from each of the women who have influenced my life. Every time I cook, they are there in spirit with me. It’s always a good time!
I have found a late ’40s vintage Magic Chef gas stove, but it’s sitting in the garage until I can get it retro fitted for propane, (an expensive proposition!) Waiting to build up the piggy bank. The only guy in the area is quoting up to $1,500. Plus buying the tank, etc. When they remodeled, I had them do the gas piping. Looking forward to cooking with fire again!
I had them build a low cabinet to put the refrigerator on. I have a bad back, and bending over is a big problem for me. Having the fridge up on this pedestal makes it so much easier, and the lower cabinet drawer is perfect for baking pans and such.
I hope that this covers it. I’m happy to answer any other questions or more pictures. I must tell my husband at least once a day how much I love my kitchen now! The only drawback it that it makes me want to bake and cook ALL THE TIME!
Wow Maile — what a transformation. The kitchen feels so much cleaner and larger now. I love the combination of the yellow countertops, aqua flooring and vintage jadeite accents. And — we LOVED that you showed us your inspiration pieces — we strongly encourage readers who are trying to decide colors for their kitchens or other rooms to do the same — that is, look for items in colors that sing to you and build your space from there. All the better when the pieces have sentimental value! Pam and I both also have items from our mothers and grandmothers and aunts in our kitchen — what a great way to stay in personal touch with those memories, every day. 🙂
Also, what a great idea to raise the height of your refrigerator to improve ergonomics. This reminds Pam: Her aunt Mary Anne did the same with her dishwasher.
Thanks so much, Maile, for sharing your space with us1
Kathy says
Darling Kitchen! I’ll be over for Coffee Klatch tomorrow morning! HaHaHa! Amazing transformation from dark and dreary to light and cheery. You did a wonderful job pulling together the soft pastels of the 1940’s that make it so inviting. I wouldn’t have thought of the yellow countertops with the pale green flooring, but it’s so cute!
Laura M says
BRAVO! Your kitchen looks absolutely beautiful.
virginia says
Beautiful, soft colors — looks fantastic. The icebox hoisting is a clever trick. Love the counters and cabinets. And a glimpse of what looks to be a percolator! The retro yellow kitchen chair/stool is a great accent piece, aside from being super handy.
Maile says
Virginia, one thing about remodeling in ‘era’ is telling all your friends and family what ‘era’ you’re doing. The Cosco chair was given to me by a friend who saw it at an estate clearing. It was avocado green and completely rusted. I spent quite a few hours cleaning the rust off the chrome, sanding, priming, painting. I bought some cheap tan vinyl that was a bolt end for $4, and spray painted it and the step bases so they would match and then sewed the new seat covers up and replaced them. Looks pretty good for under $10, huh?
virginia says
Looks amazing for 10 bucks! You obviously have the vision and the magic touch. I just purchased a retro looking yellow vinyl and alumin. kitchen chair. I love it — very comfortable and the pop of yellow brightens my day. Our kitchen is an emerald green with lots of black and white and tons of polka dots in hot pink and electric blue. It’s a bit manic but I like it — Nowhere near as lovely as your kitchen. Getting the kitchen right is vital, isn’t it? Mine is also very small but I spend most of my day in it so important to have it feel good.
I’d love to see what else you are up to in your house. Cheers! And kudos.
Pencils says
Maile, the Cosco step chair looks amazing! I’ve been wanting one of them, but I keep passing up ones in horrible condition that I come across. Although I did see a nice red one, but red is pretty much the only color I don’t have in my kitchen. Anyway, I love your kitchen, you did an amazing job. I also want to do some kind of Marmoleum when we renovate our kitchen, and I love your color choice, especially with the yellow counters. Looks amazing. However, I have a white enamel Kohler sink and I’m dying to get rid of it for a stainless one! It’s always getting stained and I’m constantly having to scrub it to get it white again, bleh. Looks good when clean, but with a messy hubby and kid, I’m stuck. To each their own!
Cheers!
Robin, NV says
Wow! What a beautiful transformation. It feels so welcoming. Love the yellow and green colors against the white cabinets.
Also love the original flooring – and is that a peek of plaid wallpaper on the wall? Pure 70s gold. Unfortunately, those patterns and colors are something you’re either going to love or h***. So glad Maile could make the kitchen of her dreams.
Laurie Louise says
What a delightful, inviting kitchen! And the transformation–wow! It looks very grandmotherly, in the best way. Kudos and congrats to you, your husband, and your contractor, who clearly “got” it. What a happy place!
Maile says
We were so lucky to have a good contractor that really understood what I wanted. Unfortunately, they’ve gone out of business.
Janice says
What lovely, bright, cheerful kitchen which is an amazing transformation from the 1970’s kitchen! Your vision and inspiration pieces are to commended. Cooking and baking all day would be the definition of most men’s dream wife – so lucky him! Great idea on the elevated fridge too!
Maile says
Thanks Janice for the kind words. I should’ve included a picture of all the vintage cook books that also inspire me to try new recipes. Having all that counter space is a great plus when I’m canning, too!
Diane in CO says
I love your colors! The green, blue and yellow in your kitchen inspiration items are dead-ringers for my Lu-Ray dishes by Taylor Smith & Taylor, late 1930’s and early 1940’s. (They came in pink too, but I collected only the blue, green and pale yellow.) I have them here at my Great Lakes summer cottage….
Perhaps you could look for Lu-Ray to compliment your adorable kitchen! Martha Stewart years ago featured an article on Lu-Ray.
Maile says
Hi Diane, funny that you should mention Lu-Ray. I do have some plates and bowls in yellow and blue that I’ve found at the Goodwill and other thrift stores. I think you can see them in the cabinets!
Jay says
Wow! Who wouldn’t want to spend the day baking in such a fun and snazzy kitchen. I like all the vintage pieces, the glass fronted cabinets shows it all off, not hidden from sight. Enjoy!
The elevated fridge was a smart idea.
Seeing that small section of 70s Mediteranean flooring made me laugh. When I bought my house there was the same vinyl in the kitchen in avocado green and rust. The flooring contractor said it was such excellent heavy duty quality that it would never wear out, just ugly away. O yes, the garden window is a nice touch and gives a larger feel to the space.
Gerry says
I love this kitchen!! Great color choices..so cheerful. It is good to learn about the Marmorette flooring for an ecological alternative to sheet vinyl.
What was the source for the cabinets? They are perfect for your kitchen!! Congratulations on a wonderful remodel.
Maile says
Gerry, the cabinets are from Home Depot. The joy was to make ‘off the shelf’ look like it was from the 40’s. Thanks!
Janet in ME says
Wonderful kitchen, Maile! I love the colors and the countertop and floor, and of course the cabinets are so bright and cheery too! You (and your contractor) did a great job! I am thinking I would love to do that with my fridge but not sure it will work in my kitchen. I need to somehow make more room for my turquoise buffet! Just nosy/curious – what is hanging on the cabinet by your fair picture? And love your kitty cat too! Don’t they always find a way to get in the pictures?
Maile says
Hello Janet, the porch door is off the kitchen, and though we’ve got a screen door for summer, every once in a while a sneaky fly will come in. That is a bright yellow fly swatter hanging at the ready. Most ’40’s kitchen did have one hanging about, too!
Janet in ME says
HA! I thought so! It reminded me of my mother keeping one right handy too! When I was four, I had fifty cents to get her a Mother’s Day present. My aunt took me and my sister to a department store along with her two daughters to go shopping. I didn’t want to get a knick knack, despite them all telling what to buy. I wanted to get something practical that she could use and got her a bright red fly swatter! It cost me all of nineteen cents and I was so proud of that gift and saving so much money! She treasured that silly fly swatter!
virginia says
Janet in Maine — Love that story. My aunt Jean color coordinated her all white bathrooms according to season — All towels, tooth brushes, tooth past containers, and brushes were in one of two colors for the time of year. So fun to see her choices — And fly swatters in various colors were definitely part of the decor! She would have loved that red fly swatter. I miss going into those rooms and seeing what she was up. It’s the little things.