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Now I have to admit, and agree, that true vintage items that are in good working order in a home where they "belong" is a horse of a different color, indeed. There are even modern ranges that look just like the old wood burning types. I considered one at one time when I owned a victorian home in Missouri. Just really pricey, though.
I do remember growing up in an old farm house where we only heated with wood, except for a little gas wall heater in the bathroom and one bedroom. A new Warm Mornings stove to replace the little pot belly cast iron one was a big deal; I remember when we got it. No insulation in the walls; a glass of water would freeze solid in the winter in the upstairs bedrooms (thank God for electric blankets). Storm windows? That was putting plastic reinforced with string over all those huge windows in the Fall because we were lucky to be able to afford the plastic let alone real storm windows. Carpeting those wood floors was a luxury that you yearned for in those days. Replacing the metal Sears freestanding kitchen cabinets with built in cabinets and a nice formica top was also top notch. I have never complained about a utilitity bill for central heat or air in my life since those days.
Guess some of this is all relevant to where you came from and what you lived with "back in the day".
However an avocado fridge that's 30 years old doesn't move me as much as some things do like those vintage radiators!
Now I have to admit, and agree, that true vintage items that are in good working order in a home where they "belong" is a horse of a different color, indeed. There are even modern ranges that look just like the old wood burning types. I considered one at one time when I owned a victorian home in Missouri. Just really pricey, though.
I do remember growing up in an old farm house where we only heated with wood, except for a little gas wall heater in the bathroom and one bedroom. A new Warm Mornings stove to replace the little pot belly cast iron one was a big deal; I remember when we got it. No insulation in the walls; a glass of water would freeze solid in the winter in the upstairs bedrooms (thank God for electric blankets). Storm windows? That was putting plastic reinforced with string over all those huge windows in the Fall because we were lucky to be able to afford the plastic let alone real storm windows. Carpeting those wood floors was a luxury that you yearned for in those days. Replacing the metal Sears freestanding kitchen cabinets with built in cabinets and a nice formica top was also top notch. I have never complained about a utilitity bill for central heat or air in my life since those days.
Guess some of this is all relevant to where you came from and what you lived with "back in the day".
However an avocado fridge that's 30 years old doesn't move me as much as some things do like those vintage radiators!
My sister bought a 1970s house in 1990. then the kitchen was considered grossly outdated and in need of updating. Now people offer to buy her burn orange 1970s appliances on a regular basis. I think that she may have dsold them and "updated" I do not know why you would wnat a kitchen that does not match the vintage of your house. (Except for me. an 1836 kitchen would not be of much use today. Back then it would have been a seprate building so that it could burn down without taking the house with it. However we tried to go as vintage as practical wile still being safe (1930s)).
Udating a kitchen is like putting vinyl windows in a turn of the century home - it should be a felony.
Udating a kitchen is like putting vinyl windows in a turn of the century home - it should be a felony.
lol, then you can take me to jail or have my cabinets from 1992 that are warping from POs putting in wet plates and I'll go ahead and get new ones.
I can't wait to get replace them if only for that reason (nevermind a couple of mind-bogglingly bad design decisions someone made). Gimme a couple of years because I'm still saving up.
lol, then you can take me to jail or have my cabinets from 1992 that are warping from POs putting in wet plates and I'll go ahead and get new ones.
I can't wait to get replace them if only for that reason (nevermind a couple of mind-bogglingly bad design decisions someone made). Gimme a couple of years because I'm still saving up.
1992 does not count. You are not updating, just upgrading. It is one thing to put in better cabinets of the same style/era It is another to put in changes that destroy the consistency of the age/style of your home.
Putting a 1950s kitchen in an 1893 house is a crime (they did that to my old house after we sold it ). However that kitchen would look great in a 1950s house. Likewise, putting a 2009 style kitchen in a 1970s home looks awful (even though most 1970s kitchens are unbearably ugly to many people, they are supposed to be "ugly" - that is the syle of the era.). Personally I really like the style of kitchens and appliances from the 1930s and the 1950s. It irks me to see one being gutted and replaced with "updated" appliances and cabinets which are usually no where near the same quality. Once it is gone, it is almost impossible to put it back.
We watched HGTV and toured kitchen and bath showrooms for ideas on how we could improve the appearance of our home. HGTV really pushed stainless appliances, granite counters and walls neutralized in "beige or sage" to "appeal to the masses". All the showrooms we toured were pushing these items and materials. Our realtor agreed. Everywhere we turned, we were led to believe our home would be thought of as "inferior" without these changes.
My husband caved and we "updated to stainless". I REGRET THIS EVERY DAY! Lots of the charm of our kitchen is gone and our old appliances worked beautifully! But...we were led to believe our home just wouldn't be worth a dime if we didn't follow the masses. Regret, regret, regret!!!
I really enjoy watching HGTV. But the show has changed quite a bit in the last 5 years or so. There used to be more of the design-oriented shows that had more creative/upscale-looks and now it seems most of the shows are focused on renovations, DIYers, flipping, designing to sell, etc. Must be a sign of the times. Furthermore, I agree that these shows are forms of branding for their sponsors whether they are home suppliers, lumber yards, furniture suppliers, or whatever. Most of the renovating and design shows are about ripping out whatever is there and buying something new instead of re-using and rehabing exisiting materials and structures. There are better and more creative ideas in magazines (i.e., Elle Decor, Traditional Home, etc.). Of course these magazines promote super-designers and pricey-artsy items, but they're great for ideas and also celebrate homes for their uniqueness (i.e. a late Victorian, mid-century modern, or 1970s mod).
1992 does not count. You are not updating, just upgrading. It is one thing to put in better cabinets of the same style/era It is another to put in changes that destroy the consistency of the age/style of your home.
...
1922 does not count. You are not updating, just upgrading.[/1940s people]
How do you think older houses were modified? For the most part it's piece by piece updating over a long period of time. There's no firm fixed end from one period to another, especially while you're living it. Some say me converting the place to a modern / contemporary look is simply updating it, but in 50 years it may be considered moving from one period to another.
A little over a year ago it meant anything older than 1 year old. Now hopefully that will become more realistic.
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). However that kitchen would look great in a 1950s house. Likewise, putting a 2009 style kitchen in a 1970s home looks awful (even though most 1970s kitchens are unbearably ugly to many people, they are supposed to be "ugly" - that is the syle of the era.). Personally I really like the style of kitchens and appliances from the 1930s and the 1950s. It irks me to see one being gutted and replaced with "updated" appliances and cabinets which are usually no where near the same quality. Once it is gone, it is almost impossible to put it back.
Lots of the charm of our kitchen is gone and our old appliances worked beautifully! But...we were led to believe our home just wouldn't be worth a dime if we didn't follow the masses. Regret, regret, regret!!! 
