Building a 1950's inspired Kitchen. Major project completed

[peter_sm]

So this is where we started. The house was built in 1952. Typical double fronted weatherboard in outer Eastern Melbourne.

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[peter_sm]

First step was to cut an opening into the lounge room, so it wasn't a 20 metre round trip from the couch to the sink and back

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[peter_sm]

First of all was insulation, plaster and floor tiles. Had to keep using the kitchen as much as possible during the 18 months this all took.

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[peter_sm]

The kitchen was designed to be functional in a more modern sense. Such as 600mm deep benches and 950mm high. The runners for the drawers soft close, and some CNC cut internal boards. The outside had to be as authentic as possible.

I made the entire cabinets in the garage first. This took nearly 6 months, then pulled apart and assembled in the Kitchen.

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[peter_sm]

The main internal boards are CNC cut 18mm commercial Melamine covered chipboard. The front frames are entirely timber made and dowel jointed. Made seperate to the internals.

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[peter_sm]

Then all of the facings and timber work was pre painted. The only touchup paint needed was to cover the screws used to fix the front facia to the main carcass.

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[peter_sm]

Finally I started assembling the units into the kitchen.

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[cjbfisher]

Nice. :2tsup:

[peter_sm]

And the assembly continues. I work on cars normally, so cabinetry is tricky for me.

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[peter_sm]

This is the corner shelf. Two shelves high, soft closing.

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[peter_sm]

Custom printed Laminex 'Fusion'. Then aluminium strips on the sides.

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[peter_sm]

Next was the tiles and the aluminium strips along them.

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[peter_sm]

Then the colours were chosen by SWMBO. This is where my automobile restoration trade comes in handy.

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[peter_sm]

Getting closer. This is the original handles rechromed and the doors hung.

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[peter_sm]

This may not all be to everyone's taste, however we wanted to create a kitchen inspired by the original era of our house.

Next was the glasses cabinet.

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[peter_sm]

A few more parts of the kitchen. Some original stuff from the 1950's

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[peter_sm]

I attached a pantry by halving the size of the 80's laundry. Put the refrigerator into that cavity as well.

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[derekcohen]

Peter, what a delightful and fun kitchen! I absolutely love the colour and the ambience it creates.

For a guy more comfortable with cars, you have a great sense of design and have done good with wood. :2tsup:

Regards from Perth

Derek

[peter_sm]

It is finished now.

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[peter_sm]

Even managed to get an original blind. Had it sonic cleaned.

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[Wongo]

Impressive work. Well done.

[dubrosa22]

Very cool 50s kitchen! :)

[Lappa]

Love it. Thanks for the journey

[rwbuild]

I take my hat off to you, that is exceptional!!!!!!!!!! :2tsup:x10
Custom printed laminate :oo: please!!! more info, how, who, cost etc, have never heard of it before

[artful bodger]

Fantastic work there Peter.
Been renovating a 1950's house myself and have been trying not to upset the era features.
How about this light fitting that was in the outside laundry?. It is really heavy and the bakerlite holding top was warped with years of light bulb heat.
441723441724Oops first pic upside down.

[peter_sm]

Laminex Fusion.
These are the details I had
Laminex Fusion Co-ordinator
332 Bay Road, Cheltenham, VIC 3192
Geraldine Flannery
Tel: 03 9581 3988
Fax: 03 9581 3964
Mobile: 0411 160 670
Email: [email protected]