LaDonna loved the look of vintage steel kitchen cabinets, but wanted the features of wood. So, taking a cue from the vintage Elgins at her parents’ house — and inspired by her grandmothers’ kitchens — she mimicked the look with 3/4 overlay slab doors. She also incorporated New Old Stock liner tile from a Retro Renovation ebay find, and has tips for matching its size to subway tiles.
LaDonna writes:
Hi Pam,
I have very fond memories of both of my grandmothers’ houses and decided to merge elements from both of their kitchens to create a “comfort” kitchen into my no-character brick ranch. My parents still had their Elgin steel cabinets left over from their 70’s kitchen reno, but I remember hitting my head on them and how sharp they were. So, I decided to recreate them in wood.
Later, my mom and dad sold their house and Dad gave me the metal Elgin plaque as a momento. I even had a plaque made to put where the metal Elgin sign would normally be using our last name in place of “Elgin”.
I purchased some of the tiles on ebay from Angela for my backsplash and paired them with white subway tile. I found that they are the same thickness as porcelain 3 x 6 subway tile and not the thinner ceramic 3 x 6 subway tile.
My tile installer had no problems, and I love the way it looks!
My countertop is quartz, but I picked a style that reminded me of laminated countertops. I also live in an all electric house, therefore a vintage gas stove was out of the question, so I opted for a GE Artistry range.
I liked the GE Artistry refrigerator but it was also smaller than I wanted. The one I have now is a Samsung.
My most favorite thing in my kitchen is the NBI double drainboard sink since I think that gives it the most charm.
Thank you for your wonderful blog and giving your readers the resources to help them in the remodeling of their dream homes.
Sincerely,
LaDonna
Nicely done, LaDonna — a blend of old and new that shows off your beloved collections and gives you tremendous decorating flexibility. Thank you for sharing!
Chloe Starr says
I love the way you arrange light and stuffs, so gentle and clean. Good jobs, way to go!
TikiVegas says
Looks great. The kitchen layout is the same as our ’64 split level–makes it so easy to imagine in our home. Ours got the stainless steel flipper special before we moved in 10 years ago. My wife would love this look. Anyone know if the GE artistry appliances are still available? They don’t show up on their website.
Holland VanDieren says
Recently I searched for GE Artistry fridges and gas ranges and found very few available, mostly black. GE officially discontinued the style, which had undergone an unfortunate change along the way, losing gentle curves at the top of each appliance, and the overall dimensions grew. The original style with the curve was what delighted the eye so much. Later iterations — if you can even find them — lack that personality.
Really disappointed there is not a contemporary maker of stylish retro appliances that are not over-the-moon expensive (looking at you, Big Chill!) Why GE corrupted and than gave up the Artistry line is forever a puzzler.
Bob Connor says
I was disappointed to find out it was discontinued too, I am using the stove and dishwasher in an early 70s kitchen. I don’ t know if they were slow sellers, (the fact the oven does not self clean may have been a turn off for people) but I think maybe it has something to do with the Haier takeover. I have noticed other GE appliances now do not have the GE logo on the console, it just says “Profile” or “Café” now. GE is still on the door, but maybe Haier is trying to make GE go away and the GENERAL (GE) ELECTRIC spelled out on the door was not something they want. I would email them and tell them, I would not mind if it just said “Artistry” on the door if GE bothers them that much.
Karin says
This kitchen is so charming and cute! Homey 1940s details, but with modern conveniences. It’s not that easy to pull off, but they totally nailed it. The logo and vents really give it character. I love those salt and pepper shakers. The farmhouse sink is perfect, especially in the way it lines up with the counter edge. I’ll have to look that brand up. Wonderful. Great post, thank you.
Melinda says
Your kitchen looks fabulous! I love how you created the lines of the steel cabinets in wood.
I used to have that same set of McCall’s cookbooks, but got rid of them in paring down for my last move. I’ve regretted it many times. There was a recipe in the cookie book for brown sugar refrigerator cookies that I have looked for in vain ever since.
Diane in CO says
Melinda, thought you’d like to know there are tons of those McCall’s cookbooks available on eBay — some for just a couple of dollars! One listing showed, in one of the photos, the recipe for Brown Sugar Ice Box Cookies, which must be the recipe you are looking for. You can just buy a new (old) book!
Just search on eBay books for McCall’s Cookie cookbook.
Good luck!
Melinda l Lee says
Thanks so much! I’ll take a look.
Louise says
My grandmother would be like “WHERE ARE your curtains?” No kitchen is complete without curtains!!!
Mary Elizabeth says
LaDonna, I really like your kitchen. Like you, I have a story about the metal cabinets in my old St. Charles kitchen. I was alone with a four-year-old in my house when opened an upper cabinet and left it open (my bad) while bending down to pick up something I’d dropped. You guessed it–I popped up and the cabinet caught me in the head. I touched by head where it hurt, and my hand came back all bloody. I don’t pass out at the sight of blood unless it’s mine. So when I came to, I was lying on the floor and there was my four-year-old daughter mopping at my head with a dish towel. “You’d better wake up, Mommy, or I will have to call the am-lu-bance,” she said matter-of-factly. Funny thing is that this was the only door in the metal cabinetry that wasn’t wood. I learned after that not to leave any cabinet doors open after removing things from them.
My favorite things in your collection are the salt and pepper shakers on the stove. What wonderful memories!
phylena says
Very nice!
Lauressa says
I love this kitchen! It’s an older vintage then my 60s home, but I love the kitchen sink with drainboard. Remind us where it came from? I love the simplicity of this kitchen. And I love the blending of old and new since sometimes it’s hard to find the old or you might be considering The benefits of newer materials, e.g., countertops. Could you tell us the name of the selection?
Carole says
I ADORE the sink with built in drainboards.
And those McCalls cookbooks……My mother owned quite a few, with the holder. When she passed away during my teenage years, I only managed to salvage the cookie, and bread cookbooks. I’m so glad I did, because they bring back memories of spending time in the kitchen with my mom.
Lovely kitchen. 🙂
Nikki says
Wow, wow,wow!! There is so much I love about this kitchen, what an amazing “retro-style”! I especially love the enclosed work station! Great way to hide the Kitchenaid, wish I had it in my house!