Kitchen inspiration- vintage industrial design.
For the record, I thought I was really going to enjoy doing kitchen-inspiration posts.
I thought they would be fun. And EASY.
But I take that back…
I take back my secret, smug belief that if I wrote a blog where I just curated beautiful images of houses and interior design it would be mindlessly simple.
I apologize to all design bloggers everywhere– I’m sorry for my self-righteousness… it has never once been validated, but I keep trying anyway.
EXCEPT you bloggers whose sites take SO long to load… that in the time I wait, I could drive to your house and tell you how annoying it is that I have 782 tabs open, and YOURS is the one that crashes it all.
Anyway. Kitchen.
Last week’s kitchen inspiration prompted a lot of you to point out that my overwhelming theme is white. And that IS true. I do really like that look… or some two-tone contrasting-island version of it.
But I equally like the total opposite.
In fact, it’s possible I like this more.
I guess I’d describe this as vintage industrial.
Or repurposed industrial.
Or out-of-my-price-range industrial.
Something unique and interesting that involves the opportunity to buy giant useless things and hoard copper pots.
Paul would point out that this is not actually a house. Or even a kitchen.
But that doesn’t matter, because it’s inspiration.
That means you can look at photos of anything you want.
I could show him photos of elephants and gesture at them and say—see? Elephants.
Clearly, I’m going to be hampered in my design since I don’t have exposed brick.
Or live in a loft or have a rooftop atrium or a rustic cafe in London…
But you get the idea: something NOT white.
Also, something you cannot just buy at the kitchen store.
Maybe even veering into Steampunk territory?
If you don’t know what steampunk is… it’s like an Edwardian version of Dungeons and Dragons. Crossed with a Renaissance Fair. Invented by boys who want to wear monocles while hanging out in internet chatrooms and talking about building purposely-antiquated futuristic gadgets. Like hi-tech hot air balloons.
Basically a comic-book parody of steam-powered Victorian style. With lots and lots of cogs.
Is that ridiculous? Maybe.
But so is golf.
I’m certain that toast from that toaster is way more tasty and delicious than regular toast.
And it will not surprise you that I really like the idea of a kitchen full of fantasy and shiny unnecessary things…
But Paul took one look at my steampunk inspiration and said— basically you want Morlock chic.
For 90,000 more kitchens: my Pinterest kitchen board.
I will love you EVEN MORE… if you share me with your friends.
September 4, 2013 @ 3:39 pm
Victoria,
I am a new follower and fan. My best friend and I moved to Maine from Ohio in her yellow beetle with 3 1/2 crates of albums in the back seat. I could totally relate to your best friend post. But I digress. I think you should use the built in cabinet thing you bought that you said was too big for the kitchen.
Cut it down to fit or hire a cabinet maker to make it work. That was your original inspiration and a skilled craftsman can do anything. Then things will fall into place from there.
September 5, 2013 @ 6:36 pm
Maybe not the whole thing… what ever happened to the middle part with the sink?
September 4, 2013 @ 5:35 pm
That toaster is awesome.
September 4, 2013 @ 5:37 pm
Also, you should see if you can dig up footage from the second season of Dynasty. (No joke.) The kitchen was amazing.
September 5, 2013 @ 9:38 am
Is this it?
http://kourtneyheintz.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/p1210087.jpg
September 4, 2013 @ 7:12 pm
There is a reason you prefer white, pearls and classics; timeless.
You will tire of that kitchen, it is awful, will collect grease, tarnish, and is not 1/10 compatible with your standards.
The reason you are choosing white is becasue you are attracted to white. As you said last week; your favorite coping skill; avoidance. Stop avoiding what you are attracted to, and begin to do your kitchen.
September 4, 2013 @ 7:17 pm
Wow… all of these are so gorgeous too! You are in such trouble.
September 4, 2013 @ 7:27 pm
“I could show him photos of elephants and gesture at them and say—see? Elephants.” Yes. Exactly.
September 4, 2013 @ 8:45 pm
I agree with Bad Kitty and Deb. Pick one or 2 things out that you love in your theme and work around them. Love the look of brick but you can’t clean it unless you have professionals come in $$$. I await eagerly for your blog as it keeps me from going crazy decorating my own house and yes i’m addicted to craigs list.
September 4, 2013 @ 8:45 pm
I really want to know more about the little tin next to the toaster in the last photo that says “Gourmet Coal Granules.”
September 4, 2013 @ 9:44 pm
You can combine your love of clean white AND your attraction to the dark side! I think I know what the fascination is: Victorian houses can have a mysterious, slightly sinister appeal (sounds bad but I mean this in a good way). A basically white kitchen with a dark, heavy wood and marble-topped island lit with Edison pendants … tin ceiling … and, as many have suggested, that special “something” piece that only you will sniff out on Craigslist to set the mood! Oh, this will be so fun!!
September 4, 2013 @ 11:13 pm
“out-of-my-price-range industrial” – oh, Victoria, you are too funny! 🙂
September 4, 2013 @ 11:55 pm
So you’re throwing “industrial and victorian had a baby and it is steampunk” into the “we thought we knew what you like in your kitchen” mix? Holy curve ball! Just buy yourself a corset apron to wear while you cook in your charcoal grey and white kitchen with subway tiles and call it a day.
Nah, I wouldn’t either. But I still want a secret room to hide all the good chocolate in. Trap doors and secret rooms are kind of steampunk … or Hogwarts. I’m not sure which…
September 4, 2013 @ 11:59 pm
And blackboards … everybody needs blackboards in their kitchen. Great fun at parties. You could post fantasy menus and tell your friends that was LAST night’s party. “Tonight we’re having meatloaf.”
Totally mess with their minds…
September 5, 2013 @ 4:55 pm
🙂 this nearly busted my lungs; I was holding the breathing in as long as I could (but not yet long enough to read those other 99’000 kitchen ideas on pinterest)….but now the steam is off and the toast burnt to dusty morsels…
JUST got my internet connection back after nearly a week’s suspension; shall read all those comments illico presto AND check out the rest of not yet digested ‘other ideas’ 🙂 Good night my hero-ess…. (is that an English word and if not, do you still understand what I mean???)
hugs, and sighs
Kiki
September 5, 2013 @ 6:06 pm
I take it you’ve seen this? http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/17279794/list/Treasure-Hunting-at-the-Brimfield-Antiques-Fair
I ballpark it at just under 9′ tall. Sure, it’s $10,000, and it may already have sold, but then again, it may not have. If “comes apart in six pieces” means what I think it means, then I think you could fit one major part of it along one wall, and then, I don’t know, eliminate a window for the other half. Or, make it into a super-easy room divider with the adjacent sitting room. I guess then, like Pilar, all your serious counter space would have to be island, but that’s not so bad. Oh, and there might not be room for a fridge and an oven. Whatever. Clearly you need to buy this thing.
September 5, 2013 @ 6:18 pm
What I’m most noticing in your kitchens is light and openness. Lots and lots of light. Light colors, window light, great lighting and all balanced with a good contrast of dark. Dark wood beams, or dark islands or dark cabinets against light walls. Also, glass fronts. Many, many of your pins have a glass fronted cabinet in the mix somewhere. So, based on your pins, you could tell Paul, I want it to be light and dark and open and have glass. And a touch of whimsy! But with class.
Seriously though, if you enjoy Steampunk, you should check out the laundry room redo (http://www.epbot.com/2013/03/steampunk-laundry-room-reveal.html) at Epbot.com
September 5, 2013 @ 6:31 pm
I think it’s time to start hitting the architectural salvage shops!
Also, you need a Waterstone Gantry Faucet. Sure it’s the cost of a new computer, but it totally fits the Morlock Chic vibe.
September 5, 2013 @ 7:45 pm
http://antiquelights.co.uk/wall2.htm
Mwah ha ha
September 5, 2013 @ 9:25 pm
I love everything you write…but these kitchens kinda creep me out! The kitchens on your Pinterest board are gorgeous though!
September 6, 2013 @ 8:42 am
I came to you from Rhoda (thank you Rhoda!) and would love to read your blog from the beginning. Is there any easy way to get to the first post?
September 6, 2013 @ 2:47 pm
Never mind. Finally found the archives button.
September 6, 2013 @ 3:30 pm
We bought a home built in 1906 four years ago and are just finishing the kitchen remodel. Like you, I searched and searched for just the right thing. I must have seen every one of the million plus pictures on houzz.com. In the end, I decided (yes, a decision! yeah!) on white cabinets & trim, black granite countertops, stainless appliances and “mannered gold” paint. The floor is reclaimed chestnut. It might sound bland, except for the gold, but by changing out accessories, this combination enables totally new looks as the winds of inspiration blow through my mind and pocketbook. No regrets with white. Good luck! Enjoy the ride!