Most Pretty Old Houses don't have their original kitchens.
I think there are several reasons for this. First, kitchens take a lot of abuse and wood cabinets just don't last.
When The Morningside House was built (1940) they didn't put much effort into making a nice kitchen. It was a very utilitarian place for the cook and the family didn't use it. Think "Driving Miss Daisy."
Also, the owners redecorated and renovated over the years and the original kitchen was history.
This is how the kitchen looked when we bought it.
The most recent change the kitchen had had was the Corian Counters, the Kitchenaid Dishwasher, and the sink and faucet. The owner had also had the old linoleum taken up and the hardwood floors redone.
The cabinets were steel Kitchen-Kraft that were from the 1950s we think.
We uncovered this original name plate.
Since there's an interest in all things Vintage so we thought someone might want the cabinets.
Click here to see some fine examples of vintage kitchen advertisements. I'm sure Sally, Dick and Jane's mother had one of these. Steve has ripped out many a kitchen, but this one posed unique challenges. It was installed with super long nails and lots of them and the upper cabinets were hung on brackets like Ikea cabinets--not nailed or screwed into the wall like regular ones.
Look closely at the bottom of the wall. They laid black subway tile vertically to form the base trim. I think this would be a nice detail to copy someplace later.
If you know anyone who'd like to have the cabinets, let me know.
They're just sitting in the garage waiting to be appreciated.
Take care,
Patti
