Kitchens that improve with age
There are some kitchens that definitely better with age. A kitchen with solid beams, flagstone floors, an Aga stove, or similar details, has earned its place in a home - and deserves to be preserved.
A modern kitchen with all the latest conveniences is not everyone's cup of tea. In an older home, kitchens with original (vintage) elements can be used as a foundation to build upon or to combine with more modern touches to restore or retain the period atmosphere.
countryliving.com
Rather than rip out and replace the original kitchen in this 18th century cottage, the new homeowner embraced the imperfect floors and timber ceiling, leaving the original plank floors and ceiling beams untouched.
To complement the vintage look, the kitchen island was fashioned using two sawhorses and timber floorboards salvaged from another room. Large dome pendants above the kitchen island bring a modern touch and provide a contrast to the rustic space.
There are a few new additions to the rustic kitchen; the vintage AGA oven now sits where the original fireplace hearth was situated and serves as a focal point in the cosy space.
Built-in cupboards provide essential storage, and the cabinet that houses the refrigerator also adds a splash of blue to the room.
Rather that make the small kitchen feel cramped, neatly organised shelves on iron brackets provide essential storage space and fit nicely underneath the bulky ceiling beams.
The kitchen cabinets are finished with a paint technique with blue-grey undertones that ties together the blue accents, and also balances out the warmer hues of the original wood features.
This kitchen might not be the original design, but using a ensemble of vintage and reproduction pieces a beautiful and timeless kitchen has been created. The wood-burning stove was the concept behind the entire installation, and now offers charm and warmth to the space. Heat from the stove warms up the surrounding slate tiles during the colder months, as do the hand-knotted wool rugs sourced from a local auction.
The high walls and lofty ceiling retain their original wood plank design and only required a touch up with paint.
The cabinetry and shelving featured in this rustic kitchen were all handmade by the homeowner from a 150-year old oak tree that had fallen on the property. The shelves are filled with a prized collection of china platters and dinnerware, antique silver and pewter. Original timber windows and a pair of salvaged mahogany French doors allow in lots of natural light.
Compact and cosy, white painted wood cabinetry, whitewashed wood plank walls and plywood floors fill this kitchen with light and a feeling of space. Glass frame doors enhance the expansive setting, but if you plan to do this in your own kitchen, make sure to keep cabinets well organised and de-cluttered.
Plywood floors are an inexpensive way to achieve the look of expensive hardwood floors, and are a DIY option for many a homeowner.
The antique farmhouse table doubles as an extra countertop and a dining table. The wood benches can be tucked under the table when not in use. For extra storage, slots carved into the farmhouse table store wooden spoons and the drawers are used for kitchen utensils.
The homeowner opted not to remove existing built-in cupboards but rather enhanced the rustic feel by adding burlap curtains to cover up kitchen cabinet clutter. Narrow shelves offer maximum efficiency in the small kitchen.
In this rustic kitchen you will see a return to a more simple life. Wood countertops sealed with butchers block oil allow for food preparation without the need for cutting boards. Rough cut timber provides open shelving that coordinates with the open cabinetry below.
The two-toned walls bring a modern touch in hues of black and grey that enhances the crisp white colour on trim. The homeowner also opted for a vintage farmhouse sink rather than fit a modern dishwasher.
Galvanised buckets and wire baskets add even more vintage charm and metal chairs in a bold red add a touch of colour to the breakfast nook.
