Steel kitchen cabinets are what started me on this road to the retroblogosphere. But I also completely admire the look of nicely executed wood cabinetry. In reality, it was a Steel vs. Wood dual for most of the 50s with the two industries duking it out for the heart of the mid century housewife. And Wood won!
I will do more posts on this most fascinating and important of subjects over time. But to start, one recommendation if you want to go with wood is to: Consider Dynasty cabinetry in the Vail door style shown.
You’re looking at a “slab” door in a “full overlay.” It’s basically identical to how steel cabinets come together – just in wood. Streamlined, not fussy, 50s and 60s Modern. There are a number of finishes – and you can match them to the vintage photo I’ve shown. I’ll post more as I find them.
Add the right cabinet pull, or have them notched and go without. You could even skip the kick plates and put them on little Danish legs – that would be really Modern. Omega can, I believe, even notch out the “air vents” in the sink cabinet, if you want that.
A couple more notes:
- This recommendation is for stained finishes only. If you want to get new wood cabinets and paint them (like the wall cabinets in this image) — you may want to consider MDF doors, which may take paint better — ask a pro.