A thrifter’s dream come true: You drop into the ReStore to take a quick spin, and are standing right there when the first piece of a big donation comes onto the floor. It’s your sister’s dream kitchen — a set of turquoise steel kitchen cabinets complete with a Frigidaire Flair range with hide-away range and a dishwasher. Oh, and all this on the eve of an anniversary that was going to be rough.
Jason wrote to me the day after his epic find:
I’ll warn you that this story is a bit of a tear jerker.
Generally I think people know that if I can do something for my sister I probably will. And if you know my sister you know she loves vintage stuff, particularly kitchens. Today would have been our mother’s 71st birthday — she passed away a little more than a year ago. It’s been a day full of tears, but not all sad ones.
I found this kitchen yesterday while on a random stop at a local Habitat for Humanity. I had just finished my workout and was walking around the ReStore because it is in the same neighborhood as my workout of choice. I happened by the first piece as they brought it onto the floor; the set was unassembled and nothing had a price on it yet.
To say it’s my sister’s dream kitchen is probably an understatement. I’ve occasionally read on design blogs about how someone randomly walking around a vintage store finds some incredible item right as they were putting it on display. They always catch it for some ridiculously cheap price on some momentous occasion, just to add to the lack of believability.
I found this set on the day before mom’s birthday, and I got it all back to my house on her birthday. Nobody knows for sure, but I’d like to think mom helped with that.
Thanks!
In our email exchange Jason added, “Eventually we will build my sister’s dream kitchen. It’s a few years off, but she’s absolutely blown away that we found her dream set.”
My sympathies on your mother’s passing, Jason. What a lovely gift to your sister. Thank you for sharing your story!
Teri says
When we bought our 1957 mid-mod house, we made the very difficult decision to renovate the kitchen (it wasn’t nearly as cool as what Jason got). The one condition I had before making the decision was that ReStore would take the old kitchen contents (including the yellow laminate countertops and boomerang peninsula, 47″ Thermador cooktop and range hood). They were happy to and I hope they made someone like Jason equally happy.
I know I could have sold them, but I’ve found so many treasures for my home at the ReStore I felt the need to “pay it forward”.
Phil says
I used to have the exact same range that I gave to a friend a few years ago. I also have a very similar built-in dishwasher at home.
note, Phil, link did not work so I took it off
Phil says
Hopefully this one works!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/33723086@N02/24769890008/in/album-72157678548208043/
I do have a pink and turquoise Frigidaire Spray Tube dishwashers but the one I use at home is a plain white one. I wish I could find brushed chrome panels to make it match the built-ins and the fridge I have. Eventually, I’ll have to get rid of that 1980s countertop and that newer sink/faucet!
Linda says
Great find. Our local Restore wouldn’t have accepted this because it’s too old. The manager doesn’t like “old” stuff, therefore, there is nothing there that I would have any interest in. Shame….
Eric says
Looking for advice on some midcentury pieces I just acquired – five knotty pine cabinet doors and a swinging bar door, all with original hardware, and all full planks, no laminate, I rescued from a sprawlingly bizarre ranch oddity that’s about to be knocked down, which is all kinds of tragedy by itself.
There’s no hope of inserting them into another set – they were part of a full wall shelf/bar setup that can’t be replicated. I would have ripped out the rest of it if I had time and resources, but I didn’t.
My instinct right now is to re-purpose them as tables. I want to leave the hardware on, give them a new finish (which they badly need) and they add iron legs for a continuity of materials.
Does this make sense? I’d also like to get one of them fairly soon because the owner of the house, a friend of mine, is pretty broken up about having to sell it and I’m hoping a door-table will make him feel better about it.
Kelly says
Nice idea!
Madalyn says
Great idea! Do it. Your friend will love!
Caroline says
Jason — I saw these @ Habitat when they were coming off the dock and fell in love with them too!! I’m SOOOOO glad someone who truly loved them got to take them home, not just someone who would throw them into a rental or something! That robin’s egg blue was just too special!!
TG says
Caroline, what town/state was this in?
Pam Kueber says
TG, I think that Caroline is referring to Jason’s find. Since he did not volunteer his location, can we let it be.
Laura's Last Ditch Vintage Kitchenwares says
I love it! And the Sharpie notes on the inside of the door just add to the charm. I’d have fun adding to it and keeping the tradition going.
charles says
Great story!
I would be very curious how much the person paid for that setup. I don’t need the exact amount, just a ballpark. I don’t have a good feel for what this vintage stuff is worth or how you’d know if you found a decent deal on it.
ALLISON says
Truthfully, vintage is worth exactly what someone else is willing to pay for it.
Full sets of *anything* vintage, whether is jewelry, kitchen canisters or kitchen cabinets will always be worth a premium, particularly if they are in desirable colors or materials. Next, condition is everything; refinishing is both difficult and expensive and things that are rusty junk are worth what any rusty junk is; free or close to it..
So how will you know what’s a good deal when it comes to vintage metal cabs? You probably can’t, if you’re buying for resale; you’ll have to go on the gut-level must-be-dirt-cheap side.
If you’re buying for yourself, then its just a matter of your budget and how long you’ve been looking. How much *should* a kitchen cost?
KennyT123 says
There’s a lot to be considered–actual worth and price versus how much it means to you. I trekked across my state for two vintage refrigerators and an oven and searched ebay/etsy for weeks until what I wanted appeared, I even drove from CT to PA in a truck by myself for my Flair (lost in a move unfortunately)–sometimes it happens quickly, sometimes it takes awhile. You’re also fitting these cabinets into your existing kitchen so walls, outlets, and plumbing (to move or not to move) are also to be considered. Also make sure you factor in parts for the Flair and the Dishwasher. Ebay is a good source for parts but, you have to hunt daily for new items and research the make and model to ensure those burners and thermostats match what you have–there’s a difference between NOS (new old stock) and used and you have to be willing to pay more for these parts–it’s rare to find a modern equivalent. Don’t forget the value of service manuals as well as owners manuals. You learn a lot though and you meet the neatest people on the adventure.
Jason stated it accurately “It’s a few years off…” It takes awhile but its all a labor of love. It took me almost a year to get my dream vintage kitchen but when I sit in here looking around at my labors it’s absolutely worth it.
KennyT123 says
additionally, I find provenance is valuable. My pink oven came from a little old man who built a pink kitchen for his wife; fridge #1 came from a man who’s uncle kept it in his bar; the other fridge came from a man whose Mother used it in her kitchen. The lost but not forgotten flair came from a man who grew up with it in his Mother’s kitchen Well-built appliances that were well-cared will give you great service.
Marilyn says
Wow…what a dream. If I were the Sister I would be drifting on air…and what a thoughtful gesture by Jason. Just look at that stove I love it…
Eartha Kitsch says
Wowee!! and Yay!!
Kathy says
Fantastic! I hope all the appliances work. It sure looks well cared for all those years.
My mother’s tiny first kitchen was painted that color and my brother painted his 1950s kitchen the same color, based on a vintage ad. It is back in style, so much easier to find accessories for than in years past.