Briggs Beautyware “Cab-Unettes” — making steel kitchens as early as 1938
Pam Kueber - July 22, 2019, Updated: October 8, 2020
Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
I just published a new page all about Briggs Beautyware Steel Kitchen “Cab-Unettes” — for sale as early as 1938, and oh my yes, in all the colors above! >> Click here to see the story. <<
Wow those colors; wouldn’t mind the sea green light and dark for wall colors.
Dansays
Love the lime, though I strongly suspect most sales were classic white, ivory, or butter yellow. Boy, could that black make a dramatic kitchen though, depending on the finish, it would probably be the hardest color to keep looking its best.
Thanks. I wonder if by 1951 they had stopped making steel cabinets, except for sink bases.
Reader Debsays
They moved the flush lever on the toilet by ’51. Strange place to put it on the older model.
GlenEllynsays
I think these would be appropriate in my 1926 home. I’d choose either Sky Blue Light or Sky Blue Deep. …I can dream… Thanks, Pam! Yes, I drool over your kitchen almost every day.
Pam Kuebersays
I am having fun digging deeper into all my steel kitchen research. Today I believe I have confirmed unitized steel kitchen cabinets as early as 1926. Stay tuned, more to come!
Jay says
Wow those colors; wouldn’t mind the sea green light and dark for wall colors.
Dan says
Love the lime, though I strongly suspect most sales were classic white, ivory, or butter yellow. Boy, could that black make a dramatic kitchen though, depending on the finish, it would probably be the hardest color to keep looking its best.
Jean says
Can you buy these today??
Pam Kueber says
Only vintage. Here are companies making steel cabinets new today: https://retrorenovation.com/2019/06/04/resources-buy-steel-kitchen-cabinets/
Leslie says
This is more about bathrooms, but I found this catalogue online:
https://archive.org/details/BriggsBeautywareNewBeautyAndConvenienceInYourHome
Pam Kueber says
Thanks. I wonder if by 1951 they had stopped making steel cabinets, except for sink bases.
Reader Deb says
They moved the flush lever on the toilet by ’51. Strange place to put it on the older model.
GlenEllyn says
I think these would be appropriate in my 1926 home. I’d choose either Sky Blue Light or Sky Blue Deep. …I can dream… Thanks, Pam! Yes, I drool over your kitchen almost every day.
Pam Kueber says
I am having fun digging deeper into all my steel kitchen research. Today I believe I have confirmed unitized steel kitchen cabinets as early as 1926. Stay tuned, more to come!