We are now living in an old house and the kitchen has one cabinet by the sink. There is a built in, that has a pass thru into the dining room and a storage cabinet built into the wall. That's it. It seem alot of older kitchen are void of cabinets and coutertops. I imagine the lady that lived here probably had a hoosier cabinet or something similar and a few other type freestanding cabinets. Kind of smart really, they could always take them with them, if they moved. And, when I had new kitchens, I always found I never used all the countertops and the cabinets were way too deep. I would like to get a few pieces for storage and maybe a narrow table for preparing baked goods. Anyone use pieces like this that you really use alot in your kitchens? Any tips on what to look for? I'm going to be looking for old pieces, nothing new. Thanks!

-- Annie (mistletoe@kconline.com), July 29, 2001

Answers

When I was growing up, we had a free-standing cabinet that was just like kitchen cupboards, a two-door unit down below, with a metal countertop, and an upper cupboard with glass doors. It was very versatile, as it could be used as china press in the dining room, or as kitchen cupboards, or even as a hallway office cupboard. We moved it with us to at least four different places.

Another piece I remember from my childhood was a free-standing cupboard with bins on each side that tilted out. I believe my mom still has that one. It was made by a carpenter friend to order for my mom. It had a regular cupboard door in the center, flanked by the afore mentioned lean-out bins. Above the bins and the door were three drawers. The bins were used for flour and sugar, the door below for mixing bowls and pans. Drawers above used for other cooking and mixing utensils. She now uses the piece for storage in her back room.

One more piece that was impractical, but beautiful, was what we called a buffet. It is huge, ungainly, and heavy, but heavily carved, with two drawers in center, and a door on each end. The top was higher than cupboard height, with a piece on each end and up the back, carved beautifully. The legs were knobby and carved intricately. The whole thing was stained very dark. We used it in the Living Room, with lace doilies, knick-knacks, and flowers on top. Mom still has this one in her back room, too.

Oh yes, one more piece. I believe my sister has somehow gotten her sticky fingers on this one...(I'm clearly jealous!) It was a cupboard made in the 1800's, made in an upper and bottom section, with a drawer in between. The upper section had glass doors. the entire unit stood about 6 feet high. It is a very dark, crumbly- surfaced brown.

Sorry for taking so much space, but this question brought back so many memories for me. Thanks for asking it!

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), July 29, 2001.

Hi Annie, I will be having the same problem at our new homestead. Only one sm. counter by the sink, and one cupboard! Thank heavens I have a hoosier cupboard, but I also have a TON of kitchen stuff. I am a kitchen gadget and sm. appliance junkie! I also not sure what I am going to do either. One thing I did think of was to buy or make a couple of sturdy bookshelves and paint it to match the kitchen so I could at least store the waffle maker, nesco cooker, electric griddle, George Forman grill, kitchenaid mixer, etc. (you name it...I got it! But I do use them all). I will use the hoosier for the dishes and glasses and silverware. Would like to get a second hoosier but, holey shmoley has the prices of those gone up--when you can find one that is! Just not sure what to do with groceries! I will be interested in others suggestions.

Daffodyllady, I am always interested in your posts. You have a wealth of information and some great suggestions. The cupboards you are describing sounds like hoosier cupboards. There were bunchs of differant types and modifications of the originals.

Best of luck in your new place, Annie!

-- Karen (db0421@yahoo.com), July 30, 2001.

daffodyllady, you weren't taking up space! You gave me some good ideas. The cabinet with the bins would be great to have in a kitchen. When I was looking at my kitchen one day, it occured to me that the new ones they build today are pretty much cookie cutter type, not very tailored to the person who cooks, and there is alot of useless and very expensive wasted space. It sounds like your mom had just the kitchen I want! Thanks.

-- Annie (mistletoe@kconline.com), July 30, 2001.

When my dad was going to college, he rented a room in a home where the kitchen counter top actually slid thru the wall to become a buffet table in the adjoining dining room. Imagine a pass thru bar with a countertop below it. Now imagine that countertop sliding thru the wall for more space in the kitchen / eating and dining surface in the dining room. Only bad thing he reported was be sure NOTHING was on the top of the table before you slid it to the other room; a few unintentional messes were self created.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), July 30, 2001.

Annie and Karen, you are too kind! j.r., what a mental picture that created! LOL.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), July 30, 2001.