English Rose metal kitchen cabinets: One of three brands we’ve identified as made and sold in England — and, still made today! But being a U.S.-based blog, we have mostly U.S. readers (84%), so it’s only now and then that we get to read about Retro Renovations from across the pond. And what a delightful story this is: Ondrea and James paired up, and soon enough, were feathering their Bristol, UK, nest with a “new” kitchen. In this case: combining two sets of vintage aluminium — (in U.S. talk, aluminum) — English Rose kitchens into one… and there’s lots to the story, of course!
Edited a bit for flow, Ondrea writes:
Hi Pam,
I’m not sure where to start! I moved into my two bedroom bungalow, as I was downsizing after three of my four children had flown the nest. My 26-year-old still lives with us. I grew up in this area, and the bungalow is in a great location — very near the Bristol harbour, Ashton Court and the suspension bridge.
The bungalow from the outside looks very unassuming (like a wooden shed)! and lacked in character, being a 15-year-old newish build. I knew that one day I would have to add something to make it unique and not just a granny bungalow – yes, I also have grandchildren.
I’ve always had a love of anything vintage, I enjoy flea markets and charity shops. 1950s is my favourite.
I was lucky enough to meet James three years ago, and we have many shared interests. At the beginning of this year. we decided to sort out the bungalow kitchen. We looked around all the shops that sell modern units. I thought they were all similar to each other and not built to last and that they cost a fortune. At first we discussed James’ making wooden units to look 1950-60s.
Then I spotted a set of English Rose on eBay. It was February, and I had teased James for not being very impulsive (he’s a deep thinker — likes to plan properly!) So there and then — sitting on a bus — he bought the first set of units online. I cried with emotion (sounds silly, I know) — best Valentine’s gift I ever received.
English Rose is made from aluminium! It’s lighter than steel and doesn’t rust, also it’s the metal that was left from Spitfire aircraft.
(Pam here:) As often is necessary in projects using vintage metal kitchen cabinets, the couple needed to buy two sets of cabinets — or cupboards, in UK-lingo — to get the number and configuration they were aiming for. I’ve heard from some Retro Renovators who have purchased three kitchens — and from those who have “finished” but are still looking for one last piece to fit just righ.
- See all of our stories on vintage steel kitchen cabinets — 81 brands identified — in our Kitchen Help / Steel Kitchens subcategory here.
- Sometimes stories of other readers remodeling using vintage steel cabinets may be found in our Kitchen Help / Readers & their Kitchens subcategory here.
We bought two batches of cupboards from eBay and sprayed them all to match. One kitchen came from Cornwall (cream & red), and the other, from London (blue & green).
The next few months were very hard work. We took them all apart like a giant meccano set and sprayed everything!
We didn’t use any outside contractors in at all. James did all of the work himself, the spray paint, flooring, tiles, shelves, even sewing the curtain hems. He’s such a star!!
The finished kitchen, the cooker is 1960’s — a “Creda Carefree” — a bit modern! Curtains and clock are original 1950’s.
I also found this lovely 1960s larder.
When James moved in with me, his most treasured possession for sentimental reasons was a 1950s radio that belonged to his friend Keith. Keith has passed away now — he was unable to use the radio so new-in-box as he had cerebral palsy. Now we have a whole kitchen to match!
***
Wow. Just wow. Ondrea and James, I adore your story, your kitchen, and your touching tribute to Keith. You are our dose of love and joy to start the week! Congratulations on feathering your nest so creatively — and beautifully. And thank you for sharing your story and photos with us!
Read more about vintage metal kitchen cabinets from the UK:
- My first story on English Rose cabinets in 2008.
- You can still buy English Rose-style cabinets made today.
- A place in the UK that sells them refurbished.
- A 1956 English Rose kitchen complete with Revo oven
- In the UK, there were Anemone and Paul cabinets, too, it seems; I count four U.K. brands if you include the reproductions as a new brand.
And don’t forget, all’s being built and tracked in the:
Marilyn Watson says
I love this Kitchen, what a remarkable room, that the two of you have put together. It’s very charming and I adore the larder…thank you for showing it to us.
Ondrea says
It’s been lovely finding this site recently, Pam does a great job with sourcing amazing finds!!
I enjoy reading all the articles and it’s great to find like minded people with similar interests. Where I live in thought I was one of a very small few!!
Karin says
Wow, Ondrea and James, what a pretty kitchen. This is one of the most refreshing renos I’ve seen on this site. There’s such loving attention to detail and humor in it. I’d like that VW and Vespa wallpaper too. It’s really fun.
Being Canadian, I have a lot of affection and affinity for UK retro, especially since some of it (sadly, not the cabinets) ended up in Canada. I have a UK retro/modern decor book with equally stunning examples of UK kitchens with redone English Rose cabinets. That cute style of larder cabinet was also in the book’s pictures.
There’s some amazing retro from 20th century Britain. like bar cabinets, G Plan, Festival of Britain, Robin Day, and Susy Winkle. I love ’em all. Are those curtains Lucienne Day?
Compact appliances like the Smeg fridge, make a lot of sense for smaller kitchens. In North America, we tend to forget that people in the rest of the world can live beautifully with less space. There’s a lot to learn from here. Thank you for the story. It made my day.
Ondrea says
I don’t know about the curtains maybe I have learned something! I bought them on eBay and they were advertised as original 1950s…
We did discuss how true to original should we stay, for example we thought a microwave & dishwasher were needed (went for retro green, also have green kettle,to break up the blue, rather than stress about a colours match)but they are modern with retro look.
The fridge was less bulky for the space, we buy fresh as we go along and don’t eat meat so it’s plenty big enough for our needs!
Thank you for your lovely comments ????
pam kueber says
YES — a whole ‘nother world of retro I could explore!
Phyllis says
OMG I love love this kitchen….and Bristol is a *super* cool city.
Vince says
I love those European stoves with the tall back piece; often times you’ll get food splatter, and when it gets on the dials it’s hard to clean. I wouldn’t mind a stove like that here in Canada!
Ondrea says
The cooker was a lucky find from a house clearance the chaps that found it said one lady owner since new. I was impressed to find it lights up still along the top! The lady who owned it had kept it spotless and it still had its oven tray to match.
pam kueber says
I ADORE the cooker, as you call it so charmingly!
Ondrea says
Lana I don’t know if the wallpaper is available online somewhere, it’s called ‘flower power’ by ‘Arthouse’. I just checked & the shop I bought it from and they unfortunately don’t deliver abroad.
s says
We redid a 1900 era house about 10 years ago and found a lot of classic wallpaper designs at Lowes. This was floral Queen Anne? style. It needed to be ordered. When it came I saw it had been made in England. You might check their sample books in store. I don’t think patterns were shown then online.
Lana says
Where can I get that wallpaper? Can I get in in the states?
meb says
What a great job on the kitchen – full of love and memory. Another shoutout for saving metal cupboards! That larder is a joy, the flooring has my heart. Great colours and textures throughout the room.
Ondrea says
Mimi the VW bus wallpaper is the first thing you see on entry to my home, it’s just to brighten up a small hallway as you walk into the kitchen and in keeping with the 1960s hippy vibe! I do not own a camper Van but would love too
mimi says
The kitchen is wonderful, luv it! Now, tell us about the VW bus wallpaper peeping through in the radio shot……..
Catalina says
This kitchen is so warm, cozy, homey, and colorful! It is so wonderful and feels livable and happy.