Restoration Of Your Kitchen For A Timeless Feel

General renovation of old houses is a favorite conversation for owners of vintage properties but hardly ever do you hear talk about a kitchen restored to its former glory. Those beautiful historic properties we have all grown to cherish and appreciate didn't have the type of kitchens we want these days. Unrestored historical kitchens in the present day are old-fashioned, inefficient and badly laid out.

In a typical prewar home kitchens were work areas plain and simple. Everything within the kitchens was freestanding from the large cast iron stove, the sink on porcelain legs, the icebox and a table that also served as a workspace. Those that were refurbished in subsequent decades typically held even less appeal than the ones before. The countertop, flooring, and ceiling materials in them were simply no match visually to the hardwoods, linoleums, and metals they replaced. Appliances were also disappointing at best with their dismal colors.

Today we want to capture the flavor of the kitchens we envisage our great-grandparents cherished and enjoyed. Homey, warm and full of the smell of good cooking. Happily, recreating the mood of a classic kitchen in an existing space has never been simplier and easier. As demand for kitchen accessories with a sheen of age has grown, so has the supply of period equipment. Architectural reclamation, and well designed reproduction hardware and appliances are relatively easy to locate. Old-fashioned or antique pieces can be found by perusing ads in many home design magazines, inquiring at local antique shops and architectural rescue companies, and also at car boot or yard sales

Possibly the greatest influence on any kitchen design are the units. To give a historic feel to a kitchen, designers caution against filling the kitchen with trendy built in units. Architectural salvage companies usually supply classic cabinets in wooden or metal finishes. These units blend nicely with freestanding vintage or replica items. A vintage dresser or a dry sink provides charm in addition to other items like plate racks and open shelving. Painted wooden units may warp when stripped so be advised to check out one cabinet door first. Metal units should be stripped, buffed, and lacquered to prevent them from rusting.

Stone counter tops are compatible with old-fashioned kitchens so long as the stone is honed to a smooth finish, not shiny and contemporary. Vermont soapstone is one well-liked choice.

For flooring, designers often advocate hardwood. Linoleum, maligned for years, is now making a comeback. Unused rolls of vintage linoleum from the '20s to the '50s can sometimes be discovered at salvage companies or at specialist stores.
On the ceiling, pressed metal makes quite a statement, especially when left in its raw state. Another idea is to try thick Anaglypta wallpaper, a cream-coloured wallpaper stamped in a number of classic patterns. It is not as expensive as pressed metal and as soon as it's painted, achieves a much similar effect.

Discovering authentic looking stoves and also fridges grew simpler in the mid 1980s when the country feel was blooming. Our grandparents' cookers have all been refurbished and are now easier than ever to find. No matches needed!. Though the majority of old cookers are white, some do turn up in cream, green, or cobalt blue. Cooker hoods are tougher to find to complement your cooker since they were not around 100 years ago. Try buying wood and blending it into the upper cabinets.

Classic style hardware is the icing on the cake for the completion of your period look kitchen. Designers suggest antique brass, satin nickel or a black leaded texture. The hardware makes the entire kitchen come across as if it has been there for years, just like the rest of your classic home