Time capsule eyed candy today: Reader Carol bought a 1956 house that came with a second kitchen that was barely used. The original Geneva steel kitchen cabinets were installed in an a catchy beige and yellow color combination. And, the cabinets include lots of extras. Let’s take a look!
Carol writes:
Hello, The house was built in 1956 and remains mostly unchanged. The house is quite large, and this kitchen is an extra that seems to have been very lightly used.
This is not my main kitchen. I try to split my usage between this kitchen and the main one upstairs. I think this downstairs kitchen was originally built for entertaining purposes as it is right next to a pretty fancy wet bar.
The Geneva metal cabinets came with several extras, not just the bread box you recently posted about, but also three canisters, a silverware divider, towel bar, and cup hangers.
This kitchen has a Crane sink and a super cool 1961 stove that works great.
Oh my, what a wonderful kitchen, I thought, when I saw these photos come in. Like I said in the introduction — it’s really great to see this color combination in the wild!
As follow up, I asked Carol: Can you tell me and readers: What did you first think when you saw that downstairs kitchen?!
She replied:
This kitchen was one of the last things I saw during the house tour.
By then, I was so overwhelmed with the original features throughout the house, I could hardly believe this kitchen that seemed almost unused for 60+ years.
Even today, I still can’t believe the cabinets, counters, and stove all look like they were put in yesterday!
The house is everything I wanted but never thought I would be able to find, I spend an absurd amount of time thinking about the house/furniture, and I never forget how lucky I am when I walk through the door.
Thank you, Carol, for sharing photos of your kitchen with all of us. HOW LUCKY your house is to have found YOU! It’s amazing to see kitchens of this quality, in this shape, still out there — and so wonderful that you are preserving it for a new generation!
libbyontheprairie says
I love the mini tour of this kitchen…can we also ask to see more of this lovely house?
RAnderson says
Gotta ask! What’s the main kitchen like?!! Pics please!
Carol says
The main kitchen is pretty amazing but not nearly as well preserved. Original pink Geneva cabinets are still there but with a fair amount of wear and replaced countertops. The only original appliance left is a matching pink dishwasher (still works though!).
Calif Phil says
I think you won the kitchen lottery, Imagine if another buyer had bought the house and ripped out that history to “upgrade” the kitchen, What a wonderful kitchen. I luv everything about it.
Nikki says
Wow Carol! What an amazing kitchen. I would kill for this kitchen (LOL, figuratively of course). So many thoughtful details that you just don’t see in today’s kitchen.
Jumping on the pile of folks asking for a full tour please!
Thanks so much for sharing – this brightened my day!
Karin says
Wow! It’s pristine! It’s beautiful! Thank you for the share!
Julie says
I love this kitchen! And I’m so thrilled it went to someone who appreciates it. Can we see more of this house, please?
Leslie says
What a delight! Sounds as if your whole house must be wonderful.
Seeing your cup hangers reminds me that I found a new-on-its-card cup hook setup. I put it away and haven’t looked closely but I’m pretty sure it holds a double row of cups and slides forward so you can get to them. I could send a picture if anybody would be interested.
Debbie in Portland says
You know that the words “built in 1956”, “mostly unchanged”, and “quite large” are like music to our ears. I hope that Carol will be sharing more with us! What an amazing time capsule.
Lisa Compo says
Wish we had a “LIKE” button for your comment. I totally agree on those magic words. I’d love to see more pics too if the basement kitchen is that cool, I can only imagine the joy upstairs.
Melinda says
What a beauty! I’m curious about the little dial to the left of the stove above the counter top. I wonder what that controls?
Neil says
I’m guessing it’s a built-in timer.
N
CarolK says
Melinda, the only thing I can think of is maybe the range hood. I don’t see any controls for the hood otherwise.
Btw, Robert on Salvage Dawgs rescued a steel kitchen from a old mansion they were working on. He recognized it as something that needed to be saved and something that people would be interested in. I think it was maybe a GE steel kitchen.
Carol says
Owner of the house here – CarolK is correct, the dial controls the fan in the range hood. It still works too!
CarolK says
Carol, that kitchen is so incredibly cool and that range is so lovely and not boring! You are lucky to own this house and this house is equally lucky ro have you as an owner.
Melinda says
Thanks for satisfying my curiosity and for sharing this beauty with all of us!
Lucine says
This reminds me of my grandparent’s kitchen! Love all the details. Cups & Plates, Built in silverware dividers, dish towel rack! Enjoy this fun & vintage kitchen.