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).
al darcangelo says
wow great, cheery and bright…but what happened to the soap stone sink in the 1st picture?
Susan says
Hi there! Thanks for your comment. The sink went to the guy who did the windows. He is using it as a utility sink. It is concrete, not soapstone. We would have used it elsewhere if he didn’t give us credit toward our bill.
Selena says
I ADORE this! I may have just talked my hubby into it when we get back on our feet and continue with the remodeling. 🙂
Janine says
OMG! what a wonderful job you did. I too love that yellow green color, it is called chartreuse.
Suzanne says
What a stunning transformation, with such a nightmare to begin with! Love your fridge, & your flooring pattern. I did my 1941 kitchen in red, white & black in a diagonal pattern. (See it under “flooring”). Congrats from one Suzz to another on a job well done!
–Suzanne
alice priessman says
Hello, I have a fridge just like the one in your remodel. We are trying to figure out a value on it. Do you have any idea what your client paid for it? Our is is great shape with all the parts but was painted. Thank you. Alice
suzann says
My client? ha, that’s me! 🙂 I think we paid about $375, but would have paid more. I thought we got a STEAL. First, this one is all original and in very good to excellent condition. Second, shopping around on Craigslist, I would find nice ones going for $100, but have had to pass them up because they weren’t the right size, or they were just too far away. (We drove 4 hours each way, but no way will I make an overnight trip out of it.) If yours has been painted, that is a turn-off to a buyer, unless it has been done professionally, in which case, it’s a turn on!
In my shopping experience, asking $100-200 for a fixer upper (needs to be repainted professionally, needs a new door seal, etc) or up to $500 for one in very good condition (looks great inside and out, original paint, but it’s not fully restored- like mine), or $1000-2000 for professionally restored, right off the showroom floor.
suzann says
Hi Amanda, Yes, a pic of yours was one of the many in my inspiration file, even though I already knew which pattern I wanted! Yours was one of the few that I ran across when looking for examples of the basketweave. I always like to see how others use color and I thought you did a great job with it. There is a nod to the 20’s with the crisp black/white contrast, but still has a contemporary look in the accent color, repeated in the wall. I wanted a bright and soft color combo, and I really like the directional texture in the tiles, whereas you used solid. It is lovely. Kudos!
Amanda @ RE:DO says
Thanks, Suzann I really like the colors you used. That yellowish green is my favorite color right now. My tiles have a little texture to them, but you’re right, yours have a lot more. Awesome redo!!
Amanda @ RE:DO says
Just came across this great remodel and wondered if by any chance the floor was inspired by my kitchen remodel?? If so, I would love to feature this on my blog, or at least link to this feature.
http://wannaredo.com/blog/?p=20
Either way, great work! 🙂
Gail says
I’m so glad I have “permission” to use IKEA in my retro kitchen renovation plans. My original thought was strictly IKEA but since finding retrorenovation now believe a combination is possible!
margaret donohue says
wow we wow…this is amazing,,,love, love love.
susan says
Why, thank you! I didn’t put a finish on it. I followed the manufacturer directions on the box and didn’t see anything about a finish. Maybe I need to look again!