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If you live in an old home, and are like me, you are probably curious what your kitchen looked like almost 100 years ago. I have been researching historical publications, magazines, books and online sources for ideas to help us when we restore our kitchen. These images span the early 1900’s to the late 1920’s, but primarily focus on the earlier years.
On thing that I found very interesting is that refrigerators or ice boxes are often shown integrated into a wall or cabinetry. This “trend” is considered modern in kitchen design today. Ha!
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August 13th, 2004 - 1:46 pm
In Continental Europe, they never stopped treating fridges as part of the cabinetry. The typical German house today would break an American’s heart! Just think~ these days we pine for the solid construction, careful consideration, and great details that went into old houses. We say “They just don’t make em like they used to” and it’s true. In Europe, technological advancement has actually led to better houses today than they had in the past because they never gave up craft, quality, and good design.
June 3rd, 2009 - 4:01 pm
I’m in escrow on a 1910 West Adams craftsman on 31st Street(cross your fingers!) and I’m trying to figure out what to do with the kitchen counters, floors and fridge. Do you have any pictures that really show the countertops? I’ve seen some wood, but I can’t tell what else they were made from. Mine are bubbled formica.
Most of the houses I’ve seen have destroyed kitchens and bathrooms, so I can’t find any examples of original surfaces. Plus am I right to think that the floors were usually wood or linoleum in kitchens?
Any fridge ideas? The super expensive fridge is freaking gorgeous, but that money will go towards the foundation cracks instead. I just saw a 1950s fridge rebuild at a store on Beverly, but at $3,000 it’s going to stay there.
One last question, what was the cabinet with the wire bottom shelf opening to the outside used for? I’m guessing it’s either onions/potatos or an icebox? If it’s onions/potatos what’s to stop ratties from snacking, and if it’s icebox shouldn’t it be more insulated?
Thanks for a great site!!
September 19th, 2009 - 5:49 pm
I LOVE those big old sinks! My favorite kitchen is the third pic up from the bottom, I love the cabinets.
October 27th, 2009 - 7:44 pm
I am an interior designer getting ready to do some work on a home that is going on a Historic Register and I needed some additional information on the kitchen counter top. The house that I am working on was built in 1901 and we do not believe that the cabinets in the kitchen are original to the house. After seeing these pictures I am certain that they are not.
thank you