But for all of the fun in choosing "off the shelf" cabinets, it was even more fun explaining to the contractor about the custom little touches I wanted to make it a truly "retro" kitchen -- like the scalloped cornice over the sink window, and the curved shelves in the corners . I was lucky to find the "schoolhouse" type pendant lamps at a now-defunct home supply chain, and there are under-cabinet lights installed throughout the kitchen as well.
I also had a special shelf built along the side of the refrigerator to hold my collection of "Cattail" dinnerware that I have collected over the years, along with the pig ceramics that were my Grandmother's. The cattail motif is repeated on some of the white subway tiles forming the backsplash. I painted them myself and baked them in the oven. My collection also includes cattail canisters, a complete dinnerware set, and a cookie jar.
Here is another view into the kitchen where you can see the custom shelves on the left
No farmhouse kitchen would be complete without a pantry and I have the greatest walk-in pantry ever. The bottom row of shelves include a "step back" built in so that nothing gets hidden and forgotten behind other things. The curtained corner cubbies below have lazy susan swing-out wire shelves, and the baskets hold bagged chips, onion, potatoes, teas, pudding & jello packets, and seasoning packets. The right corner has a built in wine rack that will hold a dozen bottles, and there is a plug on the left side for our water cooler. The top of the cabinet has red formica for ease of cleaning. All of this was custom built to my specifications. I made the curtains, mounted on swing-away rods, to match the valences I sewed for the kitchen from retro fabric I found on line. I LOVE my pantry!!!!
The kitchen also has a little eat-in nook with a reproduction formica and stainless kitchen table & chairs. I have a collection of 40's tablecloths that rotate onto the table. We eat every breakfast here, and many dinners, too. I found the little art deco phone stand at a flea market in San Francisco for $20. It's little drawer is perfect for holding pens and note pads, the the cupboard below stashes cans of Chessie's favorite cat food -- tuna!!!
The inspiration for the kitchen came from the 1949 Wedgewood stove that came with the house. The oven pilot light works, but the stovetop burners need to be lit with a match -- hence the red matchbox on the upper right hand corner of the stove. The remodel gave me a chance to pull it out, take it apart, and steam clean 55 years worth of grease from the insides where I couldn't reach before. As I write this, I am waiting to hear back from someone who has a FREE similar-vintage Wedgewood that I will cannibalize for parts -- my stove needs new knobs!!!
It has a griddle in the center, storage for pots & pans on the left, and a (non-working unfortunately) clock and built in timer. The timer that I DO use was given to me by my mother who found it at a garage sale for a nickle. And speaking of my mother, this kitchen also includes the jade green kitchen clock that was on the wall of the kitchen in Kenosha Wisconsin where I grew up!!! When it began making grinding noises (after a 60+ year life) my husband searched online for parts and fixed it for me -- just like new again!!!!!
I'm not saying this was a cheap remodel -- the cabinets were pretty pricey -- but this remodel gives me the kitchen I have always dreamed of in the country farmhouse that I have always dreamed of. Life is good.
