functioning kitchen

[plasticpigeon]

I have a non finished but functioning kitchen! I'm particularly pleased that the pantry was not taken out by any previous owners, although I did have to rebuild much of the freestanding pantry wall as it was toppling due to subsidence/settlement!! It has been a real labour of love, and I am happy with it, but to me it looks traditional style rather than traditional. I suppose that modern living doesn't really lend itself to period authenticity when it comes to kitchens. I really wanted to paint all the woodwork except for the new cupboards a dark brown as I though it might make it look a bit more period, but my girlfriend made it clear that wasn't going to happen. What have other people achieved in their kitchens? I can imagine there might be 2 schools of thought, either as traditional as possible, or ultra modern.

 

[Penners]

That looks like a very fine job, PP. I particularly like the skirting board detail on the cupboard door in the little alcove - does it all open along with the door? Did that used to be the route to an external door?

 

[Zebra]

I love it. Yes, traditional style, rather than authenticity, is what I shall aim for round here too. At the moment it still looks like the bit in the middle of your kitchen, the unfinished bit...

 

[plasticpigeon]

Thank you. The alcove is what we call the pantry, it is about 6 ft deep and the cupboard original to it. Even the handles are original. I did have to cut the skirting and reattach as we put a freezer in there, as originally the skirting and framework were fixed. It was a bit of effort getting the door to open with the skirting on. The outside door can be seen in the picture and the pantry is the other side of the cupboards.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Very stylish--I think you have a perfect blend there. When you have finished, it would you like to come and do my kitchen for me?!!!

 

[JHD]

Lovely kitchen. Great job. I like the choice of lights too.

 

[Feltwell]

Very nice indeed PP, the lights especially so! Good choice of units.

We all are better off for accepting some nods to modernity, none more so than in kitchens & utility rooms. I don't fancy getting rid of the washing machine and reinstating the wash copper!

 

[LadyArowana]

I did a rather similar style of kitchen, but not painted and had metal door knobs. Every trip to London I buy it a present and dust it! My personal pet hate for kitchens is the "breakfast bar" arrangement, with those stools you have to clamber up on to, fine for tall people, but I don't need to be doing an impression of a garden gnome on a toadstool in order to have a piece of toast :evil:

 

[Zebra]

What no eleph-.... oh, there they are.

 

[LadyArowana]

What no eleph-.... oh, there they are.

That's an older picture, a Dumbo and a "Rupert's Friend" elephant came home with me from the Detling Antiques and Collectibles fair.....

 

[88v8]

Great, PP, love the overall feel. Worthy of a glossy magazine feature.

Ivor

 

[plasticpigeon]

Thank you, it is nice to get approval from the connoisseurs at PPUK. Here's something that will split opinion. Hopefully Ivor will approve although it is new reproduction double insulated and has no live wires visible with the top spun off!

 

[Flyfisher]

Where did you obtain the light switch? We have a lot of old switches like that, though they are certainly not compliant to modern standards and have exposed wiring when the top plates are unscrewed. Ours are mostly fitted onto metal conduit boxes though, rather being mounted on separate pattresses.

However, some have been replaced and I'd quite like to replace them with that older style, though preferably ones with a safer construction.

 

[Moo]

I, too, like those switches and have been trawling t'internet quite assiduously. But I'm not going to order any until I've been pointed towards the best value by a PPUK pundit.

 

[plasticpigeon]

I bought them of a guy on ebay who imported them from Australia. He was selling them for £20. Unfortunately I don't think he is selling them anymore. They are made by Clipsal as part of their heritage range. They may be available from tlc direct but I'm not sure. I'm annoyed as I bought enough for the whole house, but dropped one of the ceramic bits on the quarry tiled floor. At least the floor isn't easily damaged.

 

[Moo]

Clipsal don't seem to do any 'heritage' stuff any more, and I've drawn a blank on ebay.
Any other suggestions?

 

[plasticpigeon]

Perhaps these people will send from Oz

http://www.palesinstyle.com.au/heritage.htm

Or perhaps tlc direct, at least they are UK and have a phone number.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Accessories_Menu_Index/Toggle_Switches_All/

but this place looks the best, flat rate of AU $5 for any number of switches and around £18/switch. If you make an order, please let me know as I will need a black bodied one at some time!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/porcelain-base-smooth-cover-brass-toggle-switch-1-2way-clipsal-mechanism-/111300260162?pt=AU_Building_Materials&hash=item19ea033142

 

[jocelyn plummer]

How about Stiffkey Antiques--they specialise in light fittings.

 

[Moo]

Hmmm. Stiffkey charge £58 for a brass dolly switch +pattress.

 

[Flyfisher]

My brief searches all seem to lead back to the clipsal switches, which is a bit surprising really. I'd have thought there would be more of a market for such things. The Stiffkey switches also look very much like the Clipsal ones. Pity I hadn't seen this earlier as I was in Wells on Friday and could have popped in to have a look at them. I think we still have rather a lot of basic decorating to finish before we get down to this level of finishing touches though.