Monday, January 20, 2014

The Vintage Kitchen at Bassett Hall

 


Vintage now. . . .
but in 1936 when renovations were made to this 1760 home known as Bassett Hall,
everything was new and modern. . . .
 
 
As many times as I've been on Colonial Williamsburg grounds, I had never visited Bassett Hall. . . .so, I was more than elated when I found the home open for tours. . . .
 


 
 

Because our own farm buildings date back to the 1930s, I was very interested to see and take notes of the décor once inside. . . .As with anything CW does, I knew it would be authentic to the time period. . . .I wasn't disappointed.


I totally enjoyed the entire house, but when I walked into the 'modern' 1936 kitchen, John said I gasped. . . .Did I? . . .or was it a SIGH? . . . I don't remember making any sound, but I do remember what I was thinking. . . .
 
"Okay. . . .I'm HOME". . . .



I can't tell you how many farmhouses I visited as a child (in the 1950s. . . .not the 1930s) that were so like this one. . . .In fact. . . .in many ways. . . .the huge room reminded me of my Grandmother Magers' kitchen. . . .The Frigidare stove, the double door refrigerator, the work areas. . . .I could envision my Grandmother. . . .or my Aunts. . . .or my Mom. . . .or all four women working away. . . .preparing their delectable dinners. . . . the family's favorite sweets in the workings, too. . . . .utilizing those same green bowls, the same ingredients, the same pans and tins and cookie cutters. . . .


 

As wonderful as those memories were for me, there was something else on my mind at that moment in time. . . .I could picture myself in this kitchen. . . . today. . . .in 2014. . . .with an apron to protect my clothes and humming away as I cooked and baked and enjoyed the pleasures of  'home'. . . .Heck-tor! . . . .I could have whipped up a few cookies for the other visitors that day with no trouble at all. . . .if I'd been allowed behind the ropes. . . .


To tell you the truth, I was the first to step foot in the Bassett Hall kitchen and the last. . . .I did NOT want to leave. . . .Figured I must, though. . . .after the tour guide looked at her watch several times and let out a few sighs. . . .and walked to the door and stood there holding it open. . . .Ah, well. . . .There will be other days. . . .In the meantime, I do have some wonderful photos to remind me of two hours very well spent. . . .and a bundle of ideas for my own kitchen here at the farm.

Hmmmmm. . . .I should see if I can find Grandmother's vintage green bowls. . . .now that I think about it. . . .

 
. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .
 
 

20 comments:

Debby Ray said...

I love this. It reminds me a lot of my kitchen growing up when I was little...no real decor or theme to anything...only practical simplicity at it's finest. I have a mixing bowl with the exact same design, only it is the metalic golden color...I think it's Fire King. I found it at a yard sale for couple of bucks. Oh...if only I had a time capsule....:)

Suzanne said...

I just sighed with you:-)

Dawn said...

What a beautiful kitchen, it is perfect in every way. Wouldn't it be grand to have such a kitchen today:) It all just makes me smile.

Dawn said...

What a beautiful kitchen, it is perfect in every way. Wouldn't it be grand to have such a kitchen today:) It all just makes me smile.

Heide at ApronHistory said...

Love love love it!! It has given me a few ideas too! Thank you so much for sharing this gem with us.

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

And looky there- Bassett Hall has an "unfitted Kitchen". What is not to love, huh?
Thanks for sharing it.
Pat

Poppy said...

I so enjoyed your tour and commentary of this beautiful 1930s kitchen, for its nostalgia, both in charming design, dreamy colours and reminiscent mood.

Poppy

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

OH I would have gasped too.....almost brought tears to my eyes.....lots of memories!

Pamela Gordon said...

What a great 30's style kitchen. I can see why you hated to leave.

Jan said...

My mom had a bowl like those, only hers was cream colored. She had some green coffee mugs that I believe were Fire King. Brings back memories!

Unknown said...

I love it too!! Sigh............

camp and cottage living said...

So many memories here-I had a stove like this one when we bought an old house and my mother gave me these same cookie cutters!
I love the jadeite too!
thanks for sharing, Dru.

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

As soon as I saw it, I thought it was a new kitchen made to look vintage! It's spectacular even by today's standards.

Pam~ Virginia Retro said...

Thank you! I live close enough to Colonial Williamsburg to visit, and this is on my list. It's just wonderful, and I can see my Nana walking around cooking in our older kitchen that looked similar, even though it was 1960. :) Pam

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

That kitchen looks so homey! It seems we all dream of yester year.
Thanks for sharing it.

Blessings,
Amy Jo

Old Time Cindy said...

The appliances are fantabulous. Cute kitchen all around!
Hugs,
Cindy

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Dru, I could stay there for hours on end! Wondering if we saw this when we were there? Can't imagine that I didn't. Oh my those green bowls had me drooling. lol! I would so love to find some similar. Thanks for sharing and hope all is well with you sweet friend!
hugs,
Jann

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

Lovely and very inspirational!

Rowan said...

What a totally fabulous kitchen!! I would so love to see this for real.

The Old Parsonage said...

Ahh...we are kindred spirits, I could love there too. My Nan's kitchen was so much like this.

Thanks for taking us on a mini-tour!

Leann

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