Reader David’s 1930 Dutch colonial house — including his super cute vintage kitchen — have been a constant labor of love since he signed on the dotted line. It has taken him seven — yes, seven — years to get his picture perfect kitchen “just right”. All the details are perfect, indeed — from his vintage stove… to his red gingham curtains… to the black-and-white checkerboard floor… and more.
Hello, Pam and Kate:
I bought this house in 2004. The previous owner had lived here for only four years, but he told me that prior to that, there had been only one family who owned the house since it was built in 1930, through 2000. The house had been very neglected. There was water in the basement. There were old pitted aluminum storm windows. Many of the sash cords were cut or broken. Many window panes were cracked.
And there was this kitchen, but when I bought it there were newer appliances. I guess that the cabinets were installed sometime around 1955 or so (the metal cabinets in my kitchen are Geneva, and the name tag is still on them on the front of the sink cabinet), and the floor and countertops when I bought it were from 1955 also. There was a big hole in the cabinets where I eventually found a wall oven to fit. I am sure that in 1955, this kitchen was state-of-the-art. Slowly, over the next seven years, it became what you see in the photos.
The house is really mostly traditional, and when I bought the house I planned to redo the kitchen. But eventually I installed the floor, and then the countertops, and I saw that it was shaping up to be a retro kitchen. Later in 2004, I bought the 1952 O’Keefe & Merritt stove, and had it shipped from Burbank, California. At Sears, I bought the wall oven, which just by chance fit. A few years later, I bought the retro style refrigerator (which looks old but has modern features). The refrigerator is Northstar; I bought it at an appliance store in Torrington, CT. They told me that the actual workings inside are made by Maytag. (I have no idea if that is true.) My only disappointment with the refrigerator is that the outside is plastic, rather than the metal the old time refrigerators were made from. I also added the black and white rubber tile floor and the white Formica countertops.
I had the cafe curtains made, and bought the red rick-rack to be added along the leading edges and bottom. The “topper” curtains, typical of the 1950s, I ordered online from Country Curtains – Gingham ruffled. And I picked up a few red accessories, but tried not to go overboard.
I built a pantry closet to the right of the refrigerator (the previous owner had a stackable washer and dryer there), so I will add a photo of the pantry also.
I know that almost everyone today wants granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances, but I call my kitchen reverse snobbery, since the counter tops are Formica. I like the fact that it does not look like every other kitchen across America. Now that I know from your web site that the cabinets are “chic” again, I have no plans to change it. I think it suits the house too.
Best regards,
David
David, I love how you pulled this kitchen together — that you started just wanting something different and ended up with a vintage kitchen like this. That stove was definitely worth the trouble — what a gem. Your choice of curtains is spot on, and your controlled use of color is perfection. I’m envious of your swinging kitchen door — that oval window is wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing your kitchen with us!
tammyCA says
Adorable! My kinda kitchen. To me, red gingham is ultra cheerful…I have some hanging over a window, too. This kitchen reminds me of the old ’30s-’40s movies I love to watch…could be why I am drawn the most to that era.
Amy Shepherd says
Love this!!! OMGsh Im drooling, fantastic job! Congrats, good for you!!!
TappanTrailerTami says
Excellent kitchen, David – lots to love in there. Red and white is always a winner, and I love your stove, curtains, cabinets and all.
As for the swinging door (*swoon*), I’d love it if Pam did a thread on 20’s – 50’s homes vs. 60’s and 70’s, when more “open” floor plans started arriving. What do people prefer? The swinging door made me think of that, because earlier homes had lots of wall space typically, and very specific separate rooms, ie, less open. I like those better….the more open, then the less walls to hang stuff on and place furniture against – I’d probably have to get rid of a lot of furniture and wall decorations in a more open floor plan.
Anyway….love that swinging door!
Cheryl Zelus says
David, would you share the name of the company that makes your rubber floor tiles? We’ve been searching for the right black & white checkerboard floor for years! Rubber floor tiles have never even come up in conversation at the various tile and flooring shops we frequent.
Are they interlocking floor tiles? Thanks for sharing your beautiful kitchen, it’s perfect!
Alison Schmidt says
I have a similar looking floor , but in blue & white, in my 1948 Cape Cod in Glendale, CA – it’s not original, but it is easy to install. My guess is it’s not actually rubber – it’s VCT, which stands for vinyl composite tile, and is often mistakenly called linoleum. The pros: Cheap. No seams, unlike Marmoleoum. DIY-friendly. Comes in tons of colors. The cons: It can crack, especially when installed over a wooden subfloor. Industrial applications (its intended use) are primarily over concrete. Installing in multiple layers (i.e. not removing old flooring) can add to cracking. Shows light *and* dark dirt, b/c it’s both light and dark.
All that said, when I have to replace my floor next year, I am still sticking with black & white checkerboard VCT to go with my white metal Mullins cabinet, blue Formica counter tops, and chrome counter trim.
David Alexander says
Alison:
Yes, I think the tiles are probably what you describe as there are 2 or 3 tiles which have developed hairline cracks. I have enought leftover tile to replace them, but I suspect it is the sub floor as you say. As another reader commented, this type of floor shows dirt easily (and cat hairs!)
Thanks for your compliments.
David
lynda says
Just so perfect! You have a great eye and lots of energy and patience. Enjoy your wonderful space. Most people are not creative enough to see the potential you saw in your old kitchen. I bet you will inspire others with your design sense. Nice of you to share.
debbie says
love it!
i’ve never liked stainless steel appliances – too industrial/institutional looking.
read it’s losing popularity
donna says
It’s lovely, and so cheerful!
Ackermansteins says
you’re kitchen and home would make a great B&B.
nina462 says
Love with a capital “L”. My favorite kitchen color – RED! and I really love the appliances, please tell me where you got them? as I hope to have some like that some day!