Erica credits her parents for her love of old things — and for her thrifty ingenuity. They were “restorers and keepers of many … beautiful Victorian buildings,” she says. “Memories of late night trash picking … learning to wallpaper a room at the age of 7, and rescuing tin ceilings from abandoned buildings are all things that have made me the salvager I am today.” So, it’s not surprising (to us) when she also declares, “When looking for a home I was praying not to fall in love with one that had a newly marbleized, stainless steel kitchen that I would have had a hard time tearing out.”
In fact, an 1888 house found its way to Erica… and one of her first major projects was replacing a failing and nondescript particle-board kitchen. Taking a vintage jadeite color drainboard sink and cabinet as her cue, she created a happy kitchen that seems right at home in its 123-year-old skin. Read on for her story, resources, a bathroom renovation too, barkcloth dresses and 17 more photos –>
Erica writes:
Well, I finally did it! I purchased an 1888 home in historic Peace Dale, Rhode Island, after a year of looking and a lifetime of being a bit of a nomad.
After of renting and doing work on other people’s buildings, I could finally feel like all of my efforts would be towards something I didn’t have to walk away from.
My parents were restorers and keepers of many of the beautiful Victorian buildings in the heart of Providence, Rhode Island. Ingenuity, the love of old things and hard work are something I was brought up with. Memories of late night trash picking in our old stake bed pickup truck, learning to wallpaper a room at the age of 7, and rescuing tin ceilings from abandoned buildings are all things that have made me the salvager I am today.
When looking for a home I was praying not to fall in love with one that had a newly marbleized, stainless steal kitchen that I would have had a hard time tearing out. As luck would have it the house that turned out to be just the right one had no kitchen to speak of. When I moved it it consisted of a broken stove, a leaking sink and a few of the most horrible partial board cabinets barely attached to the wall. Perfect! It took less than a day to empty the room with no more than a hammer and a good friend.
I had been collecting pieces of this dream kitchen for over 3 years prior to owning the house and I am proud to say everything but the toaster, the blender and the Formica used for the counters has been salvaged or was second hand.
The metal cabinet with the enameled Jadite sink, which is my absolute favorite part of the kitchen, was inspired by love of the one that I washed the dishes of up to 30 guests in a week-end in our summer home on Hog Island in Rhode Island. Needless to say I spent a lot of time at that sink. The joy that I felt, and I’m sure most will think this is odd, at finding a Jadite colored sink for sale by a lovely girl in Maine (only 200 miles away!) was over the top! The jadeite sink came that way! It’s original. Lucky girl I am! I really love my sink!
The appliances started with an old aqua GE that I fell in love with and bought on ebay. It was the real deal and was kept in the home of an older gent who hardly cooked so it was like new.
What a beauty! The wonderful push button controls, lights and bells and whistles all worked.
As it sat in my basement waiting for a home I began to search craigslist for a refrigerator and then there they were…a Northstar stove and refrigerator.
In robin’s egg blue, like new. Wow! Now this was getting exciting. I called and sent the money off (they were an amazingly good deal!) to complete strangers with no guarantee or idea how I was going to get them to me. It all worked out great, and there is now a very happy lady in Florida cooking on the aqua GE.
The solid wood keystone cabinets with their fabulous original hardware came from a kitchen that was being torn out in Pennsylvania, the state in which they were made…and they are dreamy. They work like a charm and fit perfectly into the layout, having to only have one built using a left over door and a custom one made to fit to go over the stove.
The cabinet color, like a lot of the colors I have in my house is something I made up myself and had the awesome and very patient guy at Sherwin Williams make up for me. I believe it’s a darkened version of actual jadite dishware. I actually took the hood of the stove to the store so they could color match it to do some of the trim in the kitchen. I’m really crazy persnickety about color!
The cabinets and boom-a-rang counter top were made and installed by a musician friend of mine with a lovely voice who sang beautifully while he worked making the experience a delight. I am still amazed at the ease in which all of the components fit into the space and how wonderfully workable the kitchen is. I love to cook and I couldn’t be happier cooking in it! 🙂
I put in the black and white bathroom as well …
… from a section of one of the bedrooms.
I noticed the post on barkcloth you put up (my favorite). I’m a seamstress and thought you might enjoy seeing a picture of the dresses I’ve been making. No, the girl in the dress isn’t me. That’s just a little side business I have.
Enjoying the reader stories as always. There are so many of us out there! And it’s always great to see what people are doing!
Thanks, Erica
Thank you for sharing, Erica. Your kitchen is adorable and by my count, at least four shades of green: (1) Jadeite in color, (2) Salvaged and recycled = Better for the environment than manufacturing something anew, (3) Salvaged and recycled = Thrifty — I’ve heard the new “American Dream Home” is one that’s paid for — sounds about right to me, and (3) Well, making us green with envy, of course!
Eva says
I found your page by doing a search on jadeite salt and pepper shakers. My stepmother gave me a set that I love. Your kitchen is like a dream where everything fits together seamlessly and the colors work so well! Someone mentioned something about a book in a comment-you should write one. Your house will provide perfect illustrations and your sense of style is flawless!
pam kueber says
Thank you, that it so sweet. Jadeite is one of the most beautiful ever!!!
Kerri says
Erica! I have the same cabinets that are under your sink in my kitchen, the exact configuration and the cool round handles! I am so glad that I found your article. Do you happen to know who the manufacturer is?
TerriLynn says
I am also interested in who the manufacturer is on this set. There is a set I am thinking of buying that are the same.
Patti says
Did you ever find out the maker? I have one very similar and id love to know its history.
pam kueber says
I believe that is Homart made by Sears. We have identified more than 70 brands of steel kitchen cabinets. See our stories under Kitchen Help / Steel Kitchens.
Patti says
Did you ever find out the maker? I have one very similar and id love to know its history.
Eldon Daetweiler says
What a great kitchen & I love the color. Bravo! I need some input – I shouldn’t labor on things like this but i do. Help me peeps. I am demodeling a 70’s kitchen. 70’s in not a great way. All my stuff is 50’s & 60’s so that’s where my kitchen is going. Bought an estate sale gem 63′ GE Frost-guard fridge (swing out shelves & turquoise interior) & late 50’s mint GE pink oven. Doing all the work myself with white formica straight edge counters & flat cabs. It’s been a mess for a year but gonna be amazing for little dough. HINGES…. is it snobby thinking I need European invisible hinges for clean design or is chrome visible ones like these cool? I’ve seen both in the 58-63 era that I should be living in. These look great! Thoughts? Thanks. Eldon
pam kueber says
either way is fine, i think….
GenuineImitation says
I AM IN LOVE WITH YOU KITCHEN~ THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT PHOTOS>
I know this was hard work but you kept the vision and it is absolutely beautiful. I am now reenergized to work on my own kitchen.
GI
Jen in Chicago says
I’m so impressed!! Thanks for sharing! If we ever get our countertop Formica replaced, I pledge to send pics of our aqua restoration project as well, but I cannot compete with that refrigerator — so jealous! (But in a good way, as we say around here. 🙂 )
Jag & Nevie says
Erica, you are the luckiest girl alive! I about died when I saw your kitchen masterpiece:-) The color combos are absolutely dreamy and I imagine you feel so joyful in there. Way to go. The story is inspiring to all of us long-time, die-hard collectors. Thx for sharing!
Joe Felice says
I’ve not seen that color of sink/cabinet, but it is beautiful! Erica, you have been on a streak of extremely-good fortune. I hope you realize this. I would die to be able to afford the turquoise applainces for my diner-inspired kitchen, but at least I have the aqua boomerang Formica on the breakfast bar & table. You should have (and still can) put scalloped chrome edging on the counters. I got mine from Retro Trim, who advertises on this site. The added touches are great, too, especially the turquoise, swing-out can opener. I had forgotten about those. That brings back memories. Love the chevron handles, too!
Nell's Vintage House says
Most. Beautiful. Sink. Ever!
and don’t even get me started on the Fridge. HELLO!
Emma says
We’re just starting the process of buying a new house, and I absolutely love this kitchen – it’s pretty much my dream to have something like this! Love it. Emma x
Nancy says
You are so lucky! They no longer make your coffee maker… & there is no old stock anywhere! Yours is so perfect in your beautiful kitchen! Enjoy!