Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Aug 07, 2010 10:08 pm Hello, My house was built in 1930. The previous owners did a little renovating but kept all original features. The kitchen was updated (new cabinetry, benches, stove-oven) but retained the original beadboards (is that what they're called here? Or is it dado board?). The original cooking alcove area is still there (the stove is in there) and frankly I hate the alcove because my very tall husband and I can't see contents of pots on the rear burners, and we bang our heads on the overhanging bit! So, a renovation is due... The kitchen is TINY, two people can not stand side by side in front of the sink. We are going to knock a few walls down and we'll have a large open squared area to play with. I still want to remain true to the 1930 period. If you can imagine: walk in to the kitchen area. On one side you will have the new kitchen area. On your other side is the 1930 dark wood panelling on the walls, original dark skirting boards and architraves, and lovely old dark doors. I love Caesar stone benches but feel they're too modern looking for my house, where I prefer a more traditional, 'soft', cosy feel. I don't want laminate and even though wood would be the perfect match for the original wall panelling, I'd be too nervous about the wood getting scratched (which is what happened at our old house when a visitor cut up some bread without using a chopping board...). The kitchen walls are currently white painted wood panelling and this is disgusting behind the sink because it's mouldy and rotted and generally gross. I definitely don't want that again, but I'm not crazy about tiles and I think a glass splashback would again look too modern. I live in a family where people don't clean the benches after they've used the sink so water would be left all over the place. My timber bathroom vanity top has been damaged by people leaving things on there so I'm hesitant to get wood in the kitchen, I just know others in the house would be careless Although my house is from the 1930s, there aren't any curvy art deco lines anywhere, so I don't feel the need for curved cabinets. But I still want a traditional feel. one thing I definitely do not want is any overhead cupboards, I will just have one short wall with a fancy pantry/cabinet. I'm now looking around for old looking appliances but the 1950s retro styles don't suit, and I'm not really sure about those AGA etc styles, with the 4 ovens under the stove, from a usage point of view. Has anyone here renovated a kitchen in a 1930s house and stayed true to the rest of the house's feel/look? Sorry for all the info but I wanted to provide a bit of background Re: 1930s home - art deco - going to renovate kitchen 2Aug 09, 2010 9:20 am If you don't want Caesarstone (or any other reconstituted stone), laminate or timber there aren't many options left. The only other finishes suitable for benchtops are tiles (yuck), stainless, solid acrylic or concrete - none of these really sound like they would appeal to you either. Have you seen the new Caesarstone 7150 Bold Black? http://www.caesarstone.com.au/Product.a ... uctId=1639 It has an almost terrazzo look which could work well in a genuinely Deco styled environment. If the area is going to be frequently left wet I would not even be considering timber. Cheers, Earl Re: 1930s home - art deco - going to renovate kitchen 4Aug 09, 2010 9:48 am thank you both I was leaning towards wood but then I went and looked at the soap and water stains on the bathroom vanity and now I won't go anywhere near wood I checked out polished concrete but hmmm, not that crazy about it. I think my issue with Caesar stone is that I have only ever seen it in very modern kitchens so I've automatically equated it with modern design. I love this kitchen and the benchtops but marble is waaaay out of my budget: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tSGOcFKOoqI/S ... logger.png But the cut of the actual benchtop could be said to be modern, even though the entire kitchen is more traditional feeling. Maybe I just need to see caesar stone in more traditional style kitchens but everything I find is a very modern style! Re: 1930s home - art deco - going to renovate kitchen 5Aug 09, 2010 10:40 am I love Deco kitchens! I think you could use any colour of Caesar to match your kitchen as long as you're careful with the cut. Blacks and greys are safe & gorgeous but greens and browns would be great too. Both of these profiles are beautiful - Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We had an Ilve Nostalgie cooker in our previous 1940s kitchen - was gorgeous and so fab to cook on. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Looking forward to "After" shots of your kitchen!! Re: 1930s home - art deco - going to renovate kitchen 6Aug 09, 2010 10:46 am decogal, if you like marble, take a look at Dimond Gloss range by Laminex. They have many marble looking patterns, I've seen them in show rooms, it really does look like marble and easy to care for May be White Valencia? http://www.laminex.com.au/diamondgloss-surfaces.aspx Re: 1930s home - art deco - going to renovate kitchen 7Aug 12, 2010 12:37 am I agree that stone or laminate would be fine in your kitchen, the styling of the cupboard doors and other details will let a lot more to the over all feel to your kitchen than just the benchtop. The pictures here are gorgeous! and I think would work really well with a more traditional home. Recently moved to a 60's home in need of some improvement! http://s797.photobucket.com/user/leenii ... ch%20House Old house: http://s797.photobucket.com/albums/yy25 ... loo/House/ Re: 1930s home - art deco - going to renovate kitchen 8Aug 12, 2010 12:39 am forgot to add.. could you make the opening to the fireplace taller to be more practical? I think a modern freestanding oven will suit, it is pretty difficult to find old fashioined appliances these days! Recently moved to a 60's home in need of some improvement! http://s797.photobucket.com/user/leenii ... ch%20House Old house: http://s797.photobucket.com/albums/yy25 ... loo/House/ Re: 1930s home - art deco - going to renovate kitchen 9Aug 12, 2010 9:27 am My bf has a 1920s home and put black granite benchtops on top of his dark wood cupboards. He's a chippie so guess he sees a lot of what's out there. He spent a lot but it does look great. Hello! I'm new to this forum and in need of some advice. Should I put an art piece on the blank wall and if so what should I put? Appreciate your help! 😃 0 867 the step up is 30mm and wanting it to be flat . how much does the concrete have to be lowered .we plan on removing bath and lenghten shower and adding seat. the old bath… 0 11838 if the original house is in good condition most of what you listed could be added in stages without the need for KDR and costs and disruption of having to live elsewhere… 1 13686 |