Morton Steel Kitchen Cabinets were another relatively early brand. And oh so cute: They called their cabinets “Kit Unette”s and had an illustrated model by the same name. My four-page brochure does not have a date on it, but I found a site that has these cabinets launching in 1942. Note: I think this catalog is from later. Earlier in the blog’s history, we saw much more complicated deco-design Mortons that surely must have pre-dated these full-overlay door styles.
History of Morton Steel Kitchen Cabinets
According to this history on the Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society website, Morton Manufacturing began manufacturing its steel cabinets in 1942 in Libertyville, Illinois. The Historical Society says the cabinets were sold through a division of Nash-Kelvinator Sales Corp. and had as many as 130 employees by the mid-1950s. Hmmm… I believe that at some point we also had Kelvinator cabinets. Another relationship to try and wrangle once the Encyclopedia is more built out and I can look at things side-by-side.
More googling, and I find that a company called Metalex acquired Morton in 2005. By then, Morton was focusing on another product. All’s still based in Libertyville today, though!
Metalex’s website also says that Morton had been in business since 1903. So, let’s guess they always worked in metals, and a line extension into metal kitchen cabinets in the 1940s became part of their growing business.
Thank you ebay seller ickeydooey for permission to feature these photos 🙂
Some features of these est. 1950s Morton metal kitchen cabinets
So there you have them: Morton Steel Kitchen Cabinets. I mean, Kit Unettes!
Camille Brown says
Hello, is there a thread on hanging these cabinets? I think IKEA makes a metal rail. I was going to see if that works. It looks similar to the hanging rain in the picture. Please share.
Camille
pam kueber says
Hi Camille, we don’t have this info. Not sure where to point you.
Ashley Gilliland says
we have a full set of Morton steel kitchen cabinets. 2 of our small uppers need a replacement ribbed/fluted and frosted sliding door. Any suggestions on where we could obtain these? We live in a very rural area and our glass shops prefer not to accommodate.
Thanks in advance!!
Pam Kueber says
Hi Ashley, I have not researched this question, but have come across this company recently, which may be of help >> http://www.bendheimcabinetglass.com/productCatalog.cfm/Style/Retro-Cabinet-Glass
Sheleigah says
are there any companies that still sell these cabinets?
Pam Kueber says
See this story for made new today >> https://retrorenovation.com/2019/06/04/resources-buy-steel-kitchen-cabinets/
Otherwise, you need to hunt vintage
CarolK says
These look very much like the steel cabinets that are in Margo Channing’s (Bette Davis’) apartment kitchen in All About Eve. Margo takes Max Fabian into the kitchen to get some bicarb about 5 minutes after she says “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night!”
Not only an I am RetroRenovation fan, but I’m also a fan of old/classic films and I love it when they meet.
Neil says
Me too!
I musta watched Margo drunkenly confess to being “40! Four oh.” in front of those cabinets dozens of times, and always admire the sliding glass doors behind her.
Good catch!
In fact, I watch classic movies all the time and always keep an eye trained on the fabulous vintage kitchens the set designers assembled……..
Pam Kueber says
We just saw “Judy” — the new movie about Judy Garland. Of course, I noticed the kitchen cabinets in her ex husband’s Hollywood (?) home were English Roses — British cabinets, not American ones! Well, I think they were English Roses. Yes, it’s fun to notice the details!
carolyn says
Is Kit Unette the long-lost love child of Reddy Kilowatt?
Pam Kueber says
There you go!
Joel says
Nicest steel cabs yet. I love the art moderne design.
Neil Rhoads says
Miss Kit Unette is the cutest! Wonder why in some moments her left eye is covered and at other times it’s her right (a la Veronica Lake)…
And, love that – in spite of wearing heels and a starched white apron, and having a 5-inch waist and only one eye in use – she can still lift and hang a steel wall cabinet!
Love the sliding glass doors on the early models.
I have some of those chrome pulls they feature, since I buy loose ones whenever I find them. The dark line running down the center is a stripe of black paint in a groove.
Groovy research. You’re the boss.