I am in the process of purchasing a new (to me) house. It’s a old (1918) Victorian. The kitchen is UGLY. The current owners stripped out the original cabinetry, and installed pre-made carcase cabinets. I really love the look of built-in’s. I’m moderatley skilled and pretty well tooled. I can make carcase’s and doors and could put some customs in, but I really love to put some more period correct cabinetry in those 10 foot ceilings. Are there any good books or videos out there that explain the process. Or should I just go into old houses and take notes. I thought about asking some of the older carpenter/cabinetmakers around my area for some tips, but most of the old guys are gone now. I hope I can get some information before it is lost.
Thanks,
John Bean
Frederick, Maryland
Replies
Hi John,
I own a 1906 Colonial and I have many friends with homes of your vintage or older. If you do a little research, I think it won't take long for you to figure out that you don't want to put in period-correct cabinetry. I have the original cabinets that were in our kitchen. They were taken out and put in the unfinished basement where they belong. Were you to replicate these monsters, your wife would surely kill you. Furthermore, you would not be proud of them. Our house is beautiful; very nice molding and trim work throughout, but these things are awful. The reason, of course is that the kitchen was the domain of the house servants, who didn't deserve nice things. Times have changed.
I suggest building some nice cabinets with a period flavor. Taking features from your home and incorporating them into the kitchen design would be a nice touch. I've seen cabinets with beaded doors that look very good in a Vic. style home.
B
John,
I have seen lots of kitchens--along with bathrooms, utility rooms, finished basements, etc.--from the same age as your home (when I lived in upstate New York). Many, perhaps most, were both functional and beautiful. Then, as now, there were good designs and executions along with some not so good. I would be wary of generalizing from too few examples.
IMHO your first step ought to be to go to the library and look at some examples of cabinetry from the same age as your house. There are many books devoted to the styles from that period. You can also check out any display homes/museums that are plentiful in your neck of the woods. You will likely find lots of different styles from that time period. It was a very interesting age with several dynamic and substantial schools: Victoriana still had its devotees, along with the developing arts and crafts, art deco, prairie and craftsman styles, to name a few.
I agree with Bford that while you might want to match a style, you might not want to duplicate the construction methods and materials used in the good old days. Take full advantage of the improvements made in the last century or so. (N.b. the emphasis on 'improvements'.)
Most of all, have fun. Build the cabinetry that you think is gorgeous and that you think matches your house and fulfills your needs.
Alan
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