During our 6 year journey trying to figure out what in the world to do with our kitchen, we stumbled across Hansen Living’s freestanding kitchen cabinets and storage solutions. It was something we both (gasp) liked. The cabinets were designed by Danish architect Knud Knapper after studying the way professional chefs use a kitchen.
The clean lines, solid wood construction, craftsmanship and attention to detail are right at home with Arts & Crafts philosophy. My taste in kitchens leans a little more modern than what is typically found in a bungalow. These cabinets are a good compromise.
I met with Susan Serra, kitchen designer and the US rep for Hansen Living, last summer in New York City. We hit it off immediately. She offered suggestions and I loved all of them.
The cabinets are even more beautiful in person and so finely crafted that they resemble a piece of furniture. I left the meeting with Susan Serra super excited and ready to start planning our new kitchen in the fall.
Then the economy turned and we decided to wait. David was laid off from his job. Our kitchen fund is now our pay the mortgage and buy groceries fund.
I woke up happy today. Things might not always go my way but I am always grateful for my husband, family, friends and our little Los Angeles bungalow.
I wish you a heartfelt Happy Valentine’s Day.
I have spent an enjoyable morning drooling over the work of New York City architectural firm Peter Pennoyer Architects. I love his kitchens and found so many inspiring ideas.
I have always dreamed of a rolling library ladder in my kitchen. Although, considering our kitchen’s small size, that might not be practical.
I have joined a group of bloggers who will be detailing our efforts to finally get organized over the coming year. Our group began in January, but being a little disorganized (ok, a LOT disorganized) I wrote my first post today.
Hopefully, my mother is still speaking to me. 
Silverlake Architectural Salvage
We put together a DIY City Guide: Los Angeles of our favorite resources for our friends at Charles & Hudson.
Here is a little preview:
Favorite Salvage Yards & Architectural Salvage
Santa Fe Wrecking Company
1600 S. Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021, on the corner of Santa Fe Ave and Olympic Blvd in downtown Los Angeles, ph: 213.623.3119.
They have a large supply of doors, cast iron tubs, toilets and sinks.
Silverlake Architectural Salvage
1085 Manzanita St, Los Angeles, CA 90029, between Sunset Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd, ph: 323.667.2875.
A real gem. Their inventory is constantly changing. They have furniture, built-ins, light fixtures, a large supply of doors and over sized windows, hardware, and bath fixtures. They will negotiate on price.
Pasadena Architectural Salvage
30 S. San Gabriel Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107, ph: 626.535.9655
Inventory includes mantels, lighting, stained glass, iron work, plumbing fixtures, door & window hardware and furniture representing the Arts & Crafts, Spanish Revival, Art Nouveau and Victorian periods.
Freeway Building Materials
1124 S. Boyle Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90023, at Opal St. between 7th and 8th Streets, ph: 323.261.8904.
This place was featured on season 2 of “Top Design” and is a favorite of Hollywood prop masters and set designers. Large supply of doors, stained glass windows, door knobs, old brick, flagstones, lumber and unusual objects. The prices are negotiable.
Olde Good Things
1800 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90015, ph: 213.746.8600.
Architectural antiques, artifacts and oddities. It is worth a trip. I go here if I am looking for something out of the ordinary to decorate a room. I find their prices on the higher side.
Visit Charles & Hudson to see more recommendations!
Los Angeles bungalow
I recently ran across several original images of bungalows that I had saved. Enjoy!
Postcard of a California bungalow
Photograph of a California bungalow featured in the Wilson plan book that was published in 1908.
The Wilson plan book states: “This six-room bungalow has cobblestone chimney and porch balustrade, cement porch steps, shingled roof and gables and re-sawed siding walls. A disappearing bed receptacle is thus provided, which can be utilized from either the bedroom or the den, as owner may prefer. The house can be built for $2000, including the bed.”
I am intrigued by the disappearing bed. I wish our house had one.
I have pulled these photos from multiple sources over the past 6 years while dreaming of remodeling our bungalow kitchen. If these photos have a theme, I would say it is the natural wood tones of the cabinets.
A small kitchen in a Gothic church that has been converted into a home. Look at those windows!
Above is the kitchen of a famous restauranteur (his name escapes me). I adore the black and white tile floor and the cast iron, peg leg sink.
Different view of the restauranteur’s kitchen. The wood farmhouse table is used as a workspace as well as a seating area. A plate rack covers the walls on each side of the cast iron sink.
I photographed the kitchen cupboards of a 1911 bungalow a few years back and saved them for the day when we remodel our kitchen.
What I like is the vast expanse of storage. It was difficult to photograph because the cupboards filled the whole wall.
This cupboard was built into the corner.
Bottom cupboards. The middle cupboard had a hinged bottom and was a flour bin.
See more bungalow kitchens!
Martha, Martha, Martha. I LOVE this kitchen! The grayish taupe walls, the expanses of white marble and the beautiful cabinetry…I am drooling. Ms. Stewart recently posted new pictures of this kitchen on her blog.
Look at this display case. Glass on 3 sides gives it an open, airy feeling. I also like all the little touches of metal throughout the room; from the clock, to the warming drawers and the little metal knobs on the cupboards.
One benefit of owning several homes is being able to design completely different kitchens.
I love the look and beautiful simplicity of these unfitted kitchens designed by British companies deVOL Kitchens and Plain English.
I have been drooling over these kitchens for the past 6 years, just waiting for the day when we remodel our kitchen.
Unfitted kitchens feature freestanding cabinetry. The cabinets are constructed of hardwoods and high quality materials. The quality of the construction often resembles a piece of furniture.
I love to imagine cooking in a kitchen like this. Well, in my fantasies, I love to imagine watching my husband, David, cooking in a kitchen like this while I sip a glass of wine and flip through the latest issue of “Food & Wine” magazine.