Be sure to preserve the charm of an old kitchen when you make upgrades.
Keeping the charm and character of a historic kitchen requires blending the past and present. Plan to install modern appliances, but keep old wood cabinets and flooring, for example. Sketch a detailed plan of different ways to upgrade the kitchen while preserving a nostalgic feeling. For example, use period artwork and display antique kitchen items on shelving. Be sure to include colors, fabrics and antiques that really appeal to your taste. Don't include items simply because they fit the decor. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Assess components to keep. Look at walls, flooring and windows of the kitchen. Figure out preserve interior doors, for example, or oak flooring. Don't strip the kitchen back to the studs, unless there is mold from moisture damage. Keep at least one wall constructed of plank boards or old bricks totally intact, if possible. Install drywall plaster board or stucco on the other three walls.
2. Work on safety and plumbing first. Inspect flooring, plumbing, existing wiring and exterior walls. Figure out the best way to route new pipes, drains and electrical wiring for a kitchen makeover that will work well for today's needs. Make it a point to insulate exterior walls thoroughly, because the kitchen may have little or no insulation if major upgrades have never been done.
3. Plan cabinets to look old. Use recycled cabinets covered with bead board paneling, for example, for a rustic look. Buy unfinished cabinets to paint white, black or hunter green as another option. Install base cabinets only with old wood shelving on upper walls, as another choice. Buy old farm tools and dishes to display on the shelves, or use artifacts from the past found on the grounds of the home.
4. Hide appliances with wood-front covering. Build wooden fronts to match cabinets that will hide a refrigerator or dishwasher, for example. Purchase an electric or gas reproduction stove that fits an earlier time period, such as the early 1900s. Use an old wood stove for display only to give the kitchen a vintage look.
5. Add amenities that enhance the vintage appeal. Use a tile flooring design with blue used in the 1800s on wooden doors. Research various shades of paint, which were commonly made of buttermilk and dyes from plants in the 1800s. Purchase light fixtures with metal parts that resemble candlesticks used in the 1800s. Install a farm sink, a style that has made a big comeback in today's homes, to add a nostalgic touch.
Tags: exterior walls, that will, used 1800s