Maile’s tiny 1970s galley kitchen was dark, narrow and covered with years of grime — but that didn’t stop her from seeing its potential to be delightful. With a careful budget to overhaul the space — including moving a wall — Maile made a plan to maximize her kitchen, while adding some cheery color on the countertops and flooring. The result of her hard work is a functional and sunny 1940s-style kitchen that makes Maile want to bake the day away.
My home is a double wide that was built in ’77. The elderly couple that lived here smoked… and the whole place had that ‘old, grimey’ odor. Anyway, as you know back in the ’70s, kitchens were so much tinier. This was a galley kitchen that had 24″ floor space between sink and stove.
The construction of the cabinets was just about a step and a half above cardboard, and there was such an appalling lack of space utilization. The faux wood paneling and tiny stainless two side sink made everything so dark.
So keeping the budget to 16K, I punched the stove wall out two feet into the living room, added a garden window, and went with glass upper cabinets.
I used Wilsonart Laminate 4916-60 Sweet Corn for the countertops, with stainless edging that my contractor got (not sure from where), Armstrong Marmorette NATURCote LP020 Sweet Grass (this is commercial grade, but extremely environmentally sound, and will require a professional floor layer as it is persnickety for the DIYer) on the floor. Thanks to Retro Renovation, I found the Hudee ring for the sink. I got the sink from a salvage store for just $40! It was a mess, but with Bar Keepers Friend, I got it bright white again. The paint is Behr, from Home Depot.
I went with the 40’s because my last home was my grandparents’ house in San Diego, built in 1939. I love the feel and products of back then.
I’ve inherited many items from family and have collected items to finish out the look. They are my inspiration pieces. Among all the items in the kitchen, I have something from each of the women who have influenced my life. Every time I cook, they are there in spirit with me. It’s always a good time!
I have found a late ’40s vintage Magic Chef gas stove, but it’s sitting in the garage until I can get it retro fitted for propane, (an expensive proposition!) Waiting to build up the piggy bank. The only guy in the area is quoting up to $1,500. Plus buying the tank, etc. When they remodeled, I had them do the gas piping. Looking forward to cooking with fire again!
I had them build a low cabinet to put the refrigerator on. I have a bad back, and bending over is a big problem for me. Having the fridge up on this pedestal makes it so much easier, and the lower cabinet drawer is perfect for baking pans and such.
I hope that this covers it. I’m happy to answer any other questions or more pictures. I must tell my husband at least once a day how much I love my kitchen now! The only drawback it that it makes me want to bake and cook ALL THE TIME!
Wow Maile — what a transformation. The kitchen feels so much cleaner and larger now. I love the combination of the yellow countertops, aqua flooring and vintage jadeite accents. And — we LOVED that you showed us your inspiration pieces — we strongly encourage readers who are trying to decide colors for their kitchens or other rooms to do the same — that is, look for items in colors that sing to you and build your space from there. All the better when the pieces have sentimental value! Pam and I both also have items from our mothers and grandmothers and aunts in our kitchen — what a great way to stay in personal touch with those memories, every day. 🙂
Also, what a great idea to raise the height of your refrigerator to improve ergonomics. This reminds Pam: Her aunt Mary Anne did the same with her dishwasher.
Thanks so much, Maile, for sharing your space with us1
sherry says
Love your kitchen!! All you need is a little slide-shelf cupboard, that you can put your featherweight in open the door slide out the shelf and it would be the complete old fashioned kitchen with mending tool.
Maile is a dear quilting and knitting friend.
Kelly M says
The fair poster is just cute. I would not have been surprised to find it in my auntie’s Chehalis home!
Maile Lakely says
Thanks for noticing the SWFair poster! Both hubby and I entered stuff that year and won a bunch of blue and red ribbons. It also has my bd on it! 🙂 I’m in Onalaska!
Jen says
Wow, this is just beautiful! I love how cheery and bright it is. So many right touches, too! It must be a joy to cook here every day. The floor and countertop are so lovely—just perfect. Plus your marmalade kitty no doubt contrasts beautifully with them and looks quite stylish in the kitchen (no doubt thinking the colours were chosen to highlight feline beauty…mine certainly seem to lounge in the rooms most complimentary to themselves, and it can’t be accidental).
Great job!
Susie says
What a great kitchen! Wonderful job on choosing colors, glass cabinet doors, and utilizing your space. So cute! Thanks for sharing.
Roundhouse Sarah says
Night and day transformation! I love the sweet corn yellow countertops and the jadeite green floor, it’s perfection!
Kim says
Absolutely gorgeous, Maile! I have so much admiration for your ability to see beyond/beneath/through what was there, and make the 40s look legit. 🙂 I’m inching towards this with my own kitchen (1942 house, bland benign 2003 “remuddle” by a flipper), and you’ve given me new faith!
Sandra says
See? You love it so much, your memory of how it was got even worse: that stove and sink were 48″ apart, but you remember them as 24″. (12″ squares on the floor–plus common sense–made that apparent 😉
Gorgeous! I’m doing my kitchen, now, with Marmorette — loved every single color of it, which made it my last color decision because I know I would be able to find one that fit. One thing’s for sure: our kitchens won’t ever look like last year’s fad.
susan says
What a charming kitchen. That yellow countertop is making me re-assess what I want in my kitchen. It is really lovely and bright.
tammyCA says
Super charming! Love all the colors..my favorite kitchen colors are yellow, green, blue (sun, grass, water/sky)…and my fave era ’40s. Neat that you redid the chair/stool & cleaned up the old sink. People on a tight budget are the most creative & always see the potential. 🙂
Andi says
Maile, I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this kitchen! The colors look so fresh and work so well together. Soft but not too pastel—perfect combination. Your eye for detail is impeccable and everything is perfectly balanced, with not a nook or corner forgotten. I love every decision you made!
Good luck with your vintage Magic Chef stove. I have a similar one (a 1952 Magic Chef, found on Craigslist for $50) being retro-fitted with updated safety and other inner workings. I was so lucky to find a gas company willing to do it, but at this point, I don’t yet have any idea what it will cost. Gulp. I had a 1950 Magic Chef gas range in my former house, and still miss it.
In the meantime, your kitchen looks amazing and the stove you have there blends right in.
Someone noticed your cat (which I had missed at first) but I think I see a cute furry dog in a corner, too!
Congratulations on a fabulous job!
Maile Lakely says
Thanks for the kind comments! I haven’t peeked in on comments on my kitchen for a while, so hadn’t seen your post. My mother was an interior decorator, and made me ‘see the details’, so your particular comment made me smile and think of mom. 🙂 The exciting news is that I just picked up my Magic Chef gas stove from the stove man who retro fitted it for propane. Will be calling the propane co. to come out next week! Yippee! Good bye glass top evil monster!
Zoe says
Please update Pam with your kitchen pictures post-Magic Chef so we can all enjoy them! I’m sure your kitchen will look even more fabulous once you get your vintage showpiece stove installed.