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 6, 2013 @ 7:29 pm
HAHAHA your definition of steampunk is awesome. They do a big annual fair/railcar race/steampunk festival in my town, and I never really know how to describe it.
I’m new to the blog, and really enjoying it!
September 6, 2013 @ 10:23 pm
Once you said “steam pumk” my mind goes to copper tubing and strange contraptions that for some odd reason I now want to build. Thanks. All that aside, from your boards and pics here. How bought a white kitchen, open or glass cabinates, old tin ceiling, and a crazy dark or wooden kitchen island – something apothicaryish with way too many drawers.
September 7, 2013 @ 8:23 am
at the risk of sounding like spam advertising, have you looked at laboratory countertops as an option? http://www.trespa.com/us/product/scientific-furniture-trespa-toplab-overview
When we redid our kitchen 7 years ago, I used black laboratory countertops (heat, chemical and scratch resistant, solid black, and CRAZY easy to keep clean!). They cost just a tad more than formica, are nearly as heavy as granite, and can be easily cut and shaped with standard tools. I fell in love with them as a child, after spending Summers messing around in my father’s laboratory, then my husband built a big lab at his company and used them and I was reminded. The dealer in Jacksonville was VERY excited about the idea of putting them in a regular kitchen, and cut them all fancy.
This is how they look in my kitchen (yes, I know it’s not the White/Neutral that’s all the thing, but I’m not a White kind of person) http://becauseitreallyispersonal.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/procrastination-professional-grade/
I am enjoying watching the process with your house, and your enthusiasm for it, even if it kind of confusing sometimes.
September 7, 2013 @ 2:40 pm
I vote for all of the above. But mostly? Steampunk Kitchen. Tell Paul to make it happen.
September 8, 2013 @ 5:46 pm
Can I be very honest and say I find the first kitchen pic disturbing… Institutional in a macabre way… no windows/weirdly positioned steel chairs/slanted mirror/oversized industrial faucet. Forgive me it looks like they perform experiments in there but not on food. Sorry! Perhaps I am having a bad day and saw too many Halloween decorations or something!
September 9, 2013 @ 6:19 pm
Whatever you wind up deciding, you need to get that toaster. That is a toaster right?
September 18, 2013 @ 8:16 pm
You would be surprised how hard black is to keep clean. It shows everything. My sister in law has always had black kitchen tops and I used to clean her house when a student, and getting the kitchen top clean was impossible. Always another crumb or speck which SHOWS. Black floors are the same, had one in a bathroom, and every hair and every bit of fluff shows. Black is a nightmare colour, it really is.
September 23, 2013 @ 3:02 am
This is very classic. I LOVE IT specially the toaster it looks funny but totally 100 percent like. Thanks for sharing!
September 30, 2013 @ 6:49 pm
I am doing a low victorian. Circa 1867. We “saved” it from being to be torn down. Well let’s say that we saved SOME of it. Added on to it and are winding up with a pretty good end result. I think…. After taking it down to the studs, by that I mean removing the walls, interior and exterior, completely , we came up with a great floor plan. Lest not forget the roof needed replaces. Not shingles, but the entire roof! Don’t get me started on the underpinning and foundation work!!!! I may post some befores and afters on my web site if I start a blog. Will have pics on Houzz. Now for colors! The entire thing is overwhelming. My iPad screen has permanent damage from searching hours upon hours a day for the just right light, bath tub, paint combos ….You get the picture. I’m worn out! Much success and look forward to seeing your progress!
October 4, 2013 @ 1:24 pm
Chiming in late here. I LOVE the first pic. It just needs a table-top herb garden or something. But for true inspiration, you should watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. From the way Caractacus Potts cooks eggs to the Scrumptious Candy kitchen, there is so much goodness there.
April 28, 2016 @ 8:03 am
Wow…That’s wonderul!! Toaster OMG…its amazing…Great Post!! Loved it!!
March 14, 2018 @ 2:04 pm
“Is that ridiculous? Maybe. But so is golf.”
This is my mantra for every home improvement project from now on. I thank you mightily. Hubs wants to block me from your blog. <3
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