Making a Period Kitchen Really Cook

For those of us with period homes, the kitchen can be among the most challenging to decorate. Our kitchens are often the heart of the house, the place where some serious work is done, where guests linger, and where families spend much of their time. So for folks with older homes, we realize our kitchens need to be functional. But they also need to fit within the flow of the rest of the house. They need to feel a part of things, not just a separate add-on to the overall atmosphere.

And walking that line between functionality and style can seem a little overwhelming!

Like how much period accuracy do you need? Well, would you trade your refrigerator for an old-fashioned ice box, just for the sake of historical correctness? Um... no, me neither. So that's why I thought today it might be helpful to talk about the period kitchen, and how vintage elements can be used to create a kitchen that has an old-fashioned vibe, without losing modern-day conveniences.

In the book "Period Kitchens," by Judith Miller, I uncovered a number of clever inspiration photos. Like the photo below...

Note the painted beadboard walls, and the use of mismatched plaids to create a comfortable, soft, lived-in feel. Also notice the way plaid tiles were used behind the vintage refurbished stove. Furniture here is the same sort of furniture this home might include in its livingroom or on a covered porch. This helps connect the kitchen to the rest of the home, and encourages visitors to pull up a chair and spend some time.

Here once more, tile becomes a central feature of the kitchen. See how the patterned feature wall in blue and white echo the china on the plate rail above, making the wall and accessories become one unified eye-catcher...

Cabinets are a combination of built-ins and free-standing pieces. This evokes the feeling that pieces were moved in over time.

This kitchen uses some antique seating and 18th century tavern tables to create a unique breakfast nook.

The china-filled cabinet displays pieces that are both usable and decorative. You'll probably notice many of these period-influenced kitchens have open shelving, which hearkens back to earlier times-- and gives a decorator the great chance of showing off some favorite collectibles.

This collection of china really appealed to me, with its different patterns yet cohesive coloring...


You'll certainly never go without a cup or bowl in this house, yet the abundant look displays a really pretty, welcoming collection.

I also thought you might enjoy seeing the way something as simple as a collection of different-shaped cornbread molds could become a pleasant wall display...

You're so busy looking at them hanging there, you really never notice the stove is a modern one. And because the molds are metal, they hold up well to any cooking oils that might splash up from the stove below.

I also drooled a bit over these terrific cabinets with gothic arch windows...

If it were me, I'd remove that distracting navy blue tea towel off that gorgeous cream period stove, but otherwise, the soft distressed blue cabinetry says "old world" while clearly this sort of cabinetry and styling never made its appearance as a part of earlier kitchens.

Here is another way to display a china collection, tying it directly to the colored wallpaper behind...


Now, many of these general ideas I used in my own kitchen. These are not the best photos, and for that I apologize. But this should give you a good idea of how I've been tying in modern conveniences, like my beloved coffeemaker with vintage collections...


A free-hanging stained glass window helps add a period feel to the window over the sink (and means I don't need to look at the big gray wall of my neighbor's house!). I added molding to the plan upper and lower cabinets, painting the upper cabinets white and staining the lower cabinets a dark shade that matched the woodwork around the rest of my home.

All white, and I think it wouldn't have looked as cohesive with the livingroom, from which it extends. And all dark, and I think with the giant upper cabinets, it would have been too dark, and not very fresh-looking. This was a strange, but helpful compromise.

I removed the doors off one cabinet on each side of the sink to create balance and to showcase my green and pink depression glass collections. This way I can reach them easily.

The bright green coffeemaker and toaster match the green depression glass quite well. Here is a little window display of some of my old and new accessories...


And here's the very-modern but plain stove. Nothing special about it, so it doesn't draw attention to itself!


Same with the refrigerator! Simple, and nicely boring!


More Victorian transferware plates and Jadite are displayed on the far wall, on plate rails...

Do you have a period-influenced kitchen you wouldn't mind sharing here? I'd love to hear from you. Kitchens are such a tricky room to decorate, I think we could all learn a lot from each other. Just email me at thriftshopromantic @ mac . com (except with no spaces) if you have anything you'd like to share.

Did you miss last Treasure Box Wednesday when we met the silent butler? Click here.

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone. Don't labor too much now!

Making a Period Kitchen Really Cook

For those of us with period homes, the kitchen can be among the most challenging to decorate. Our kitchens are often the heart of the house, the place where some serious work is done, where guests linger, and where families spend much of their time. So for folks with older homes, we realize our kitchens need to be functional. But they also need to fit within the flow of the rest of the house. They need to feel a part of things, not just a separate add-on to the overall atmosphere.

And walking that line between functionality and style can seem a little overwhelming!

Like how much period accuracy do you need? Well, would you trade your refrigerator for an old-fashioned ice box, just for the sake of historical correctness? Um... no, me neither. So that's why I thought today it might be helpful to talk about the period kitchen, and how vintage elements can be used to create a kitchen that has an old-fashioned vibe, without losing modern-day conveniences.

In the book "Period Kitchens," by Judith Miller, I uncovered a number of clever inspiration photos. Like the photo below...

Note the painted beadboard walls, and the use of mismatched plaids to create a comfortable, soft, lived-in feel. Also notice the way plaid tiles were used behind the vintage refurbished stove. Furniture here is the same sort of furniture this home might include in its livingroom or on a covered porch. This helps connect the kitchen to the rest of the home, and encourages visitors to pull up a chair and spend some time.

Here once more, tile becomes a central feature of the kitchen. See how the patterned feature wall in blue and white echo the china on the plate rail above, making the wall and accessories become one unified eye-catcher...

Cabinets are a combination of built-ins and free-standing pieces. This evokes the feeling that pieces were moved in over time.

This kitchen uses some antique seating and 18th century tavern tables to create a unique breakfast nook.

The china-filled cabinet displays pieces that are both usable and decorative. You'll probably notice many of these period-influenced kitchens have open shelving, which hearkens back to earlier times-- and gives a decorator the great chance of showing off some favorite collectibles.

This collection of china really appealed to me, with its different patterns yet cohesive coloring...


You'll certainly never go without a cup or bowl in this house, yet the abundant look displays a really pretty, welcoming collection.

I also thought you might enjoy seeing the way something as simple as a collection of different-shaped cornbread molds could become a pleasant wall display...

You're so busy looking at them hanging there, you really never notice the stove is a modern one. And because the molds are metal, they hold up well to any cooking oils that might splash up from the stove below.

I also drooled a bit over these terrific cabinets with gothic arch windows...

If it were me, I'd remove that distracting navy blue tea towel off that gorgeous cream period stove, but otherwise, the soft distressed blue cabinetry says "old world" while clearly this sort of cabinetry and styling never made its appearance as a part of earlier kitchens.

Here is another way to display a china collection, tying it directly to the colored wallpaper behind...


Now, many of these general ideas I used in my own kitchen. These are not the best photos, and for that I apologize. But this should give you a good idea of how I've been tying in modern conveniences, like my beloved coffeemaker with vintage collections...


A free-hanging stained glass window helps add a period feel to the window over the sink (and means I don't need to look at the big gray wall of my neighbor's house!). I added molding to the plan upper and lower cabinets, painting the upper cabinets white and staining the lower cabinets a dark shade that matched the woodwork around the rest of my home.

All white, and I think it wouldn't have looked as cohesive with the livingroom, from which it extends. And all dark, and I think with the giant upper cabinets, it would have been too dark, and not very fresh-looking. This was a strange, but helpful compromise.

I removed the doors off one cabinet on each side of the sink to create balance and to showcase my green and pink depression glass collections. This way I can reach them easily.

The bright green coffeemaker and toaster match the green depression glass quite well. Here is a little window display of some of my old and new accessories...


And here's the very-modern but plain stove. Nothing special about it, so it doesn't draw attention to itself!


Same with the refrigerator! Simple, and nicely boring!


More Victorian transferware plates and Jadite are displayed on the far wall, on plate rails...

Do you have a period-influenced kitchen you wouldn't mind sharing here? I'd love to hear from you. Kitchens are such a tricky room to decorate, I think we could all learn a lot from each other. Just email me at thriftshopromantic @ mac . com (except with no spaces) if you have anything you'd like to share.

Did you miss last Treasure Box Wednesday when we met the silent butler? Click here.

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone. Don't labor too much now!

Misterious

I found the secret to making mystifying food photos. Take the picture upclose while the food is piping hot to get this mistifying effect. Ah, this is my regular beef mince + garlic + Worcestershire sauce with couscous meal.

Not applicable if you're serving cold food.

Spotted

As far as I know, there are only two Proton Sagas in Hamilton. This one was found parked near campus. Looks like a budget student car to me. The other Proton Saga was pretty much in the same condition. Do Malaysians live the lives of budget students at an international perspective then?

Star Trek: The Exhibition

I went the other day to the Star Trek Exhibition in San Diego. I had mixed feelings about the show. On the one hand, I enjoyed seeing the uniforms from the different series of Star Trek and the bridge from the Original Series. There were also a lot of props and Captain Picard's room. At the same time, I felt a little disappointed because I know so much about the series that the information that was given seemed too simplistic. I mean, they did not plan for the die hard Trek fans who know a lot about the shows and characters and add some interesting info that might not be known to the general public. The info they did provide was right in the middle: you had to know something of the shows but not too little and not too much. Now the reason I complain is that mostly people who know Star Trek are going to go, so why not gear everything to that level? I left feeling disappointed. The Exhibition was scaled down from the Tour due to financial reasons and I guess they really scaled it down. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Friday Thingamabobs 4 - Chatting Shite edition.

Erm its Friday (Saturday) already! shite! For those that actually pay attention to reality, the fact that its Friday (Saturday) will not come as a shock to you. You will be happy to know that I am not in as shitty a mood as I was last week. Beer and sleep helped get me out of that funk, that and really great friends (yes you, not you, you!). Enough with all that flimflam and bollocks, on with the thingamabobs.

(shite is a variant of the word shit, very northern, pronounced shyyyyyte)

What was I doing a YEAR AGO today on this blog?

1.My brain was suffering from imminent implosion/explosion. Which has actually turned out to be the norm for me and not exactly imminent. I exaggreate, so what! You don't actually want me to implode/explode now do you? No need to answer that.

2.More tales from Italy, which is worrying because I was only there for five days and wrote shit loads. So god knows how much crap I am going to write after the East Coast Adventure.

3.Oh I also posted a photograph of the big hole I was lowered down into.

What I have done this week?

1.Watched the cousin play American Football, well watched men running around and touching each other a lot. 

2.Sent a 'stupid' email to airline company that I am flying with. It went something like this:

Hello I have clicked 'other' category because there is no 'stupid' category. Its my first long haul flight and I am getting a little nervous. Do I just show this 'number' and this 'number' to the check out person? Thanks ever so much. xxxxxxxxx <-----------------Okay no kisses.

It wasn't so stupid after all, because then I got a reply with a link to my eticket info! Which was lucky indeed, because I wouldn't of got on the plane with the 'number' I was going to show. Now I wonder if the over 12's ever get someone to look after them at the airport, just to make sure they get on the right plane?

3.Got insurance, I went with AA after several people gave them the nod, so if I end up stranded in America with huge medical bills because I bought the wrong policy, I will blame you lot!

4.Tried to enroll at college, but they didn't have the right codes yet. Luckily my tutor was there, so we had a nice chat and I will enrol for my 2nd and last year of my counselling diploma when I get back from my trip. Then I need to plan what to study next! Real job?pfffft. 

5.Doodled, doodled, doodled and doodled some more.

6.The Sky Man fiasco, which is the cable guy to you everywhere else but here, its the Sky Man because the main provider was/is SKY. Anyhoo lets back to the fiasco of the viewing card that never allows you to view or record the programs that you want. This is umpteenth time we have had to call them out, but the bloke today was extra special. After telling him what the problem was, he proceeded to change the box thing and reconnect the wires, simple! Then he had to spoil it with this:

Sky Man: Whats the number?

Me: For what?

Sky Man: 'The' number.

Me: I don't know what you mean?

Sky Man: The reason why I am here????????? Looking at me like I am a moron.

Me: You mean the problem with the viewing card? (said with extrme eyebrow furrowing, almost klingon like).

Sky Man: Yes that number.

Me: Righttttttttttttttttttt.

While Sky Man happily writes down the reason for a visit, I am left wondering how what I just said was a number? Would he of been overjoyed if I just said 42?

What will I be doing?

1.GOING ON HOLIDAY! WOOT, this bloody Tuesday coming!

2.More American Football on Sunday, I have become a groupie.

3.I need to print out my ticket info, that means getting ink for printer.

4.Pack, I predict this will done about an hour before I have to leave.

5. Other stuff that I cant think of right now.
6. More Doodling.

Who should you be doing?
Random stuff from my feed reader and the scary internets.

1.Doodle Week! Doodle damn it.
2.My archives getting your Claire fix while I am avoiding the law and creating mischief :)
3.NGIP I would prefer the goats wore knickers and not not panties, but thats just me. Read it, you will love it, if your not loving it already that is.
4.MoRe, because she has gigantic boobs, I mean she is great writer with crumbs down her top, lotion in her hair (it was lotion?) and she is awesome.
5.How much is your shite (poo)worth? tis very awesomely funny site thing  Poo Price.
6.Also Shitespace amused me.

Not sure when the next Friday Thingamabobs will be, as this time next week I will be in Philadelphia.

Doodle Fire

Just chatting to a friend today about my love of the outdoors, which doodle Claire apparently shares.

Splish splash

The theme for today's doodle is Water, check out what everyone else is up to over at Doodle Week.

Earth in the Star Trek Universe

I still have the theme of the 2008 Summer Games in my head: "One World, One Dream" and I have been watching my Star Trek Deep Space 9 series again from the beginning. I got to thinking about earth in the Star Trek universe and how it is unified. There is a central government, poverty has been erased, everyone has shelter, there is no need for money. Humans simply work and produce to better themselves. The other worlds in this same universe, such as Bajor, Vulcan, Cardassia, also have a central government, one language, and a common philosophy of life. Of course there are still conflicts, but they are seen as challenges to overcome, wrongs to be made right.
I love this vision in Star Trek, that one day humans can evolve to the point of cooperation and live together in peace. That hope and positive message is what keeps me returning to the series and watching and reading.
This brings me back to the recent Olympics and how for a few weeks in a concentrated area in China, people from all over the world came together in friendly athletic competition. Almost everyone got along and enjoyed meeting each other ( I assume).
My question is: Can we overcome the human condition and work together as one? Our cultures are so different and the first barrier would be language. How can we communicate with each other to understand better one another? Can people become selfless and trust a central government that would exist simply to keep Earth and its inhabitants fed and sheltered? So far, our history is filled from past to present day with battles about boundaries, discrimination, and struggles for power. Will it ever be possible to move in the direction of the peace and acceptance we find in the Star Trek Universe? I sincerely hope so.

What load of balls,

Yes American Football is played in the UK and my cousin plays for the Merseyside Nighthawks.

The weekend just gone was a bank holiday weekend, so I travelled up with my cousin to watch them play against a team in Glasgow, Scotland. Heather my younger sister also travelled down to spend the weekend, so the three of us where squished in one room. There were of course lots of cousin jokes because we shared a room with Matthew.
They unfortunately lost the game but are still division two champions, so yay for them.
Matthew my cousin is number 97 in the photos.

More photos are found here.

Want to know another reason why I went?

Eye Candy :)

(photo stolen from the team facebook page)

Treasure Box Wednesday: Silent Butlers, Crisp Waffles and Vintage Dominoes

Tired of all those noisy butlers, yak, yak, yakking away all the time, telling you their ailments in detail and missing all the crumbs on the breakfast table? Well, this charming Silent Butler might be just what you need!

Also called a "crumber," I believe, these decorative items were used by Victorians and Edwardian folks to tidy up their dining tables. Occasionally I'll see them in antique malls, but it's a rare find indeed at the thrift store, particularly to find both pieces-- the tray and the crumb sweeper. This one came from the Salvation Army.

Judging from its art nouveau styling, and the fact that it seems to be made of spelter, that would date this piece to somewhere in the early 1900s...


Most enjoyable is that it seems to have been a souvenir item, from Atlantic City, to "Mother." Ah, those wacky Victorians-- they sure did like their travel memorabilia.

It cost me a whopping $0.99.

Other finds these week included a surprising amount of Anchor Hocking Waffle/Waterford depression glass. I was missing both coffee cups and tumblers in my set, but this week the Waffle just seemed to be waiting.


At a Goodwill on Route 30 in North Versailles, I got four coffee cups, for $0.25 a piece...


And then at the Salvation Army on the South Side I uncovered six tumblers for $0.79 a piece.


Just look at those babies sparkle!

My last rather unusual find of the week was this bag of vintage wooden dominoes for $0.99...


I was thinking they might be nice as a part of some shadowbox projects. Just look at the interesting detail on them. They remind me of the dominoes I played with my Grandpa a millennium or so ago.


And because this was such a short Treasure Box Wednesday, I thought you might enjoy seeing what's become of a previously-thrifted lamp. I think I shared this crazy crystal green lamp from the 60s with you before...

But it was shadeless. The shade, I found on Ebay. It just seemed to me that any lamp as over-the-top as this one, needed an over-the-top Victorian shade.

It's essentially my version of the Leg Lamp from "A Christmas Story" and its tacky madness makes me smile when I go in that room.

And isn't that what treasure hunting is all about?

• If you missed Sunday's post featuring some nifty ideas for thrifting gift baskets, click here.

If not- perhaps I shall see you on Sunday, for our next post? I certainly hope I will.

Take care of yourselves, my friends!