Antique Kitchens

You love antique kitchens and want your own. Still, you have one lingering question:

If it's not old, can it be an antique kitchen?

Sure it can. First, decide on the time period you want.

Some homeowners actually want a "retro" kitchen that invokes the 1950s, '60s or '70s. Retro kitchens often juxtapose wood panels and brick. They adopt center islands with range hoods; they employ countertops and large appliances made of stainless steel. Sliding glass walls and accordion partitions between kitchen and dining room are other common features.

If you truly want an antique kitchen, then design periods like American Colonial, Art Deco and Victorian will begin to enter your vocabulary. Cast-iron stoves, hanging pot racks, farmhouse sinks, bakers' tables and Windsor chairs are just some of the structural elements that can help you achieve an antiquated look.

Choosing features for antique kitchens

To remodel a kitchen and make it "antique," consider the four foundations of a home's most frequented room:

1. Cabinets. Distressing cabinets or adding an antiquing glaze are two "DIY" methods of making new cabinets look old. Another option is to reface cabinets by buying new doors and hardware.
2. Countertops. Beech, Cherry, Walnut and Oak wood countertops were among the most common in American Colonial design. With the modern emphasis on renewable resources, countertops made of reclaimed wood can add both age and beauty to the kitchen.
3. Floors. Again, reclaimed wood might fit the bill. Reclaimed bricks are also appealing; date-stamped versions can "prove" that yours is an antique kitchen. For Mission or Art Deco designs, terra cotta or ceramic tiles are both appealing and easy to clean.
4. Appliances. A refurbished wood and coal Victorian stove, circa 1880-1910, runs between $3,850 and $6,850 from Good Time Stove Co., a Massachusetts-based company that buys, sells, appraises and refurbishes antique stoves. Gas and electric stoves, circa 1910-1930, range from $3,850 to $10,500. Farmhouse sinks start in the mid-$400s without hardware. You'll probably want a "faux" fridge, as the refrigerants used were highly toxic through the 1920s. Georgia-based dealer Antique Appliances has a large selection worth browsing.

How to make antique kitchens a reality

With just a few simple steps, your kitchen can become history. First, know thy budget. Second, take accurate height, width and depth measurements of all spaces meant for cabinets, countertops and large appliances. Third, get quotes from contractors and appliance dealers, who specialize in custom installation and products. Start now by filling out the form on this page.