Friday, April 16, 2010

Kitchen Dreaming

In the condo where I lived previously, my kitchen was circa 1920. It was low on technology but huge on charm. The cabinets were all hand made and been painted scores of times, the floors were wide pine and there was a large double apron sink. On one side the sink was so deep, I was able to keep a dish rack in it to drain dishes and you could barely see it when you walked into the room. I loved my old sink.


Even though I'm working on my "dining study," my mind keeps wandering to what I'll do with the kitchen. Even though I'd like an updated layout and new appliances, I want to avoid it looking like it came from a showroom; in fact, I really don't want it to look new. I think these old apron sink immediately bring a vintage air to any kitchen so I think I need to start my search for the perfect one.
I love the look of this kitchen with the painted floor, glass front cabinets and schoolhouse light but I'm not so sure about the visible plumbing. I don't have steam radiators but I love the little shelf that they installed over it to display a few kitchen plants.

The thing I love most about this kitchen is you could totally transform it with a coat of paint. Paint the walls ivory, the cabinets black and the floor red and you've got an entirely different look.
The skirt idea is one I find a attractive but maybe a little girly. I might do something a little more tailored.
I am totally in love with this kitchen from an old Martha article. It takes me to another place and time. I think I envisioned this kitchen as I read the "The Secret Life of Bees" and I was happy to see that they used something similar in the movie.
Here's an almost identical sink they've put in a bathroom. A little out of the ordinary maybe but certainly more practical than a vessel sink. I love you the drain board is being utilized as a counter.
This is actually a new sink I found for sale on the internet. New is always nice but it can't be too shiny or it would be an immediate giveaway. I hope to find a vintage one in great condition that I can give a new home. So my eyes are peeled!
It's a long weekend for us here in Boston. It's marathon day so the city shuts down so everyone can cheer the runners on. Hope everyone has a great one and I'll think of you on Monday!

13 comments:

  1. Hi Steve,
    We had the same idea when we designed our kitchen - we didn't want it to look new. A year after it was completed, we hired the contractor to put in the upstairs dormer and an engineer was called in. The engineer (sweet older man) had this idea to run a support beam (to hold the new dormer) through my 'brand new kitchen.' When I questioned having a beam come through the kitchen, he said, "won't you be updating the kitchen anyway?" At first, we were offended as it we had just done that! But then we decided that it was a compliment, as it meant we must have pulled off the old kitchen look quite well! Have a great weekend! Trina

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi! Pic #1 is my all time favorite kitchen - I've had it saved for years! I would definately splurge and get the prettiest apron sink you can find! Even if it is bright white. If I could find one to fit in my space, I would throw my ugly stainless steel one right out the window!
    There's nothing prettier than a cozy vintage kitchen - you know, that painted sideboard/dresser piece you have in the living room would look great in a kitchen. I like the look of unique pieces of furniture rather than traditional cabinets.
    Do you have a Habitat for Humanity Resale store around you? You might find some good deals there -
    Have a great weekend! Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  3. When are we going to see what your kitchen looks like now? I'm curious. Check Craigs List under materials, you might get lucky. My daughter has a 1950's sink in her kitchen-double basins, double drainboards. It's like 5 feet long. My oldest daughter had a sink to die for in her basement laundry area at their apartment in Watertown. I wanted to take it home with me!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have red painted floors. No Lie! When we moved here there were no kitchen cabinets but we did have the huge farmhouse sink. My hubby built some cabinets and everyone said oh, when are you getting new cabinets? Don't you want wood stained ones? No and no. My cabinets are painted and worn and I really like them. Sadly I took out the farmhouse sink because of limited counter space but we still have it. Now I want to put it back in, but if I do I have to give up the dishwasher. What to do, what to do!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Steve,

    Love all the pics. I think it's smart to not put a "new" kitchen in your old house. The right sink will come along I just know it.

    ~janet

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love all of these images! We recently renovated our kitchen and I finally got the farmhouse sink that I had always dreamed of having....I love it!

    Hope your renovation goes well.

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your old kitchen is probably the cutest I have ever seen in my life! but I am sure you will do a great job in the new one.

    ReplyDelete
  8. We are about to renovate and do our kitchen, I am going sleek, but still want the glass front cabinets.
    I have those exact photos in my files.
    Happy Weekend.
    pve

    ReplyDelete
  9. We have been undergoing a renovation for the last 4 years!
    It is so large...we moved to our tiny cottage!
    I know what you are going thru...I am still hunting for the perfect sink...and that is the next room to be tackled!
    I love old homes and can't wait to watch you proceed!
    Good luck...I am a new follower
    blessings,
    donna

    ReplyDelete
  10. oh,
    i miss marathon monday in boston!
    did you go?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Steve! Wanted to share a good source for your sink with you (and remember no tax in NH!!)
    http://www.noreast1.com/
    joan

    ReplyDelete
  12. Nice collection of kitchens. I have not seen some of these.
    Camille

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm having so much fun going through your blog today! I absolutely love all your inspiration photos and everything you've done to your lovely home. We just finished our kitchen reno and I almost had a vintage wall hung apron front sink installed too. I found some great options at salvage yards and salvage plumbing stores here in Berkeley, but there were some layout issues and we went with a regular (new) apron front instead. We also painted the floors which I LOVE. I haven't posted the totally completed pictures yet but here's the link for the "almost finished" photos if you want to check them out: http://www.urbanorchardinteriors.com/kitchen-done-almost-before-and-after/

    Can't wait to keep perusing!

    ReplyDelete