Old fashioned kitchen

[R.]

I have often thought if I ever had the opportunity to build anew that I would like to have a kitchen that combined the best of the old with the new. Therefore I would have a stone floor with a fireplace and all cooking instruments. I would have an oven beside the fireplace embedded in the wall. I would also have a gas, kerosene or woodstove. I have tried over the years as I have visited historical homes to take notice of things that are used and how they are placed and used. What other things have you seen in historical homes that you would include if you got to build your "dream" homestead?

[e.alleg]

I thought the same thing, asthetically nothing is nicer than a 6' wide fireplace with a bread oven built in and cast iron cookwear hanging over a roaring fire. The reality is the antique kitchens are very inneficient, difficult to cook in and harder to clean, never mind they will suck all the heat right out of the house. Someday I would like to build a rustic cabin in the back with one wall just a fieldstone fireplace. My neighbor has an old wood/coal cook stove that she coverted one of the ovens and the burners to run on propane. It is real nice and practical when you need it to be, yet it also makes some nice woodstove heat and emergency backup when desired. I see them already converted to electric and natural gas or whatever at flea markets and such for about $600-$1200 depending on how ornamental they are.

[Ford8N]

I put in a new kitchen last year at my old farmhouse and did most of the work myself. I used slate for the flooring and ran electric heating cable under the tile. The hickory cabinets were built by a local Amish craftsman out of Ironton, WI. I did use all modern appliances though. I can email pics if you like.

Since the weather is so crappy and there is no snow to play in, I think I am going to start demolishing my upstairs bath the day after Christmas.

[kitaye]

An open pole barn style porch off the back of the kitchen with an additional small wood cookstove out there. Double carriage style doors on boths sides that can be left open for breezes. Not only does wood stay dry but it sure is alot cooler to cook out there in the summer.

[freelove]

http://www.tulikivi.com/www/homeeng....tteet?OpenPage

The Tulikivi fireplaces and stoves work very well once you get used to the way they work. I used one for a couple years, it had a bake oven which I used quite a bit. I loved the way it baked, especially bread. The one thing I HIGHLY recommend is getting a white or closed oven. The one I used had an open oven and it really was sooty and full of ash. The heat is cozy and long lasting and they use less wood than a conventional wood stove.

They really are beautiful and almost maintenance free. They are expensive, but last forever.

freelove

[nana-san]

Ford,

Would you please post pics?

Originally Posted by Ford8N

I put in a new kitchen last year at my old farmhouse and did most of the work myself. I used slate for the flooring and ran electric heating cable under the tile. The hickory cabinets were built by a local Amish craftsman out of Ironton, WI. I did use all modern appliances though. I can email pics if you like.

Since the weather is so crappy and there is no snow to play in, I think I am going to start demolishing my upstairs bath the day after Christmas.

[R.]

Originally Posted by freelove

http://www.tulikivi.com/www/homeeng....tteet?OpenPage

The Tulikivi fireplaces and stoves work very well once you get used to the way they work. ...

freelove

Freelove,
I have seen those tulikivi before. I think my mother first saw one on a trip to ireland. Those would be so wonderful. Thanks for reminding me.

[Ford8N]

Originally Posted by nana-san

Ford,

Would you please post pics?

Here ya go:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/kaefer@a...29900919#page1

[nana-san]

What a transformation and hard work. It looks great.
Like those VW too

I have an 87 VW cabriolet in storage. Love my VW.

[haypoint]

A neighbor put a bracket in the side of his fireplace. The bracket can hold an arm for hanging a kettle. He also made a swinging grill that fits this bracket. The grill is made from 1/2 inch square steel, anout 16 inches square. He can load it with steaks or chicken and swing it in over the coals. The draft takes all the smell up the chimney.It is in the Family room. On the other side of the firerplace, he has a wood cookstove. The Fireplace seperates the Family room from the rest of the house, great heat sink. If it were me, I'd keep the fireplace out of the kitchen. Currently, I have a wood cookstove with an electric twin burner sitting on the water resevour.
I have plans for my next home to have a wood/gas combination stove, a pair of Hoosier cupboards and a deep cast iron sink with drain board and back splash attached, a walk in pantry.

[FarmboyBill]

What are you talking ? 1830s

[RoseGarden]

I agree with a fireplace that you can cook on in some fashion, and the hearth high enough to sit comfortably on without sitting all the way down on the floor. Get someone to make me up one of those metal reflector things that you cook roasts and turkeys in by setting in front of the fire. Lots of bright windows, and a deep, wide sink. Saltillo tile floors, or maybe wood. A mudroom with a wide bench so when you come in you can take off your boots and put down whatever you're carrying. Lots of storage in the mud room for cases of jars, etc. And a double sink in the mudroom, too, for washing dirty vegetables.

[Steve in Ohio]

Here is a photo of our Kitchen,this house was built in 1837

[doohap]

Oooooooh, Steve! Purty, purty!

[sheepish]

I planned for years before we redid the kitchen in our 150 year old farmhouse. I decided that I wanted it to look as though it had evolved over the lifespan of the house.

I wanted to keep the antique butcher's block that has been my main work surface for over 25 years, as well as the hanging pot rack I have used for 30 years. I wanted a work table the right height for kneading and rolling dough, a large deep sink, soapstone counters and a propane stove.

This is what we came up with:

[Aintlifegrand]

Oh Sheepish...what a wonderful combination of old and new. You did a great JOB! I love the look of those soapstone countertops..do you like them for working?

[MullersLaneFarm]

Here's ours

http://www.mullerslanefarm.com/kitchen

It's changed a bit in the last 3 years. A lot more home canned goods on the shelves.

[kitaye]

Love all the shots of old kitchens. Steve could you post pictures from different angles, especially the cooking area?

[dragonfly1113]

Originally Posted by kitaye

Love all the shots of old kitchens. Steve could you post pictures from different angles, especially the cooking area?

Yes Steve post more pics of your kitchen... I love it.

[gccrook]

Originally Posted by Ford8N

Here ya go:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/kaefer@a...29900919#page1

Some remodel job. Looks great. How are you liking that warm tiles heat wires?
I am thinking about putting that in my bathroom under the tiles.