Located at the far end of the keeping room is the main kitchen area. . . . .It is always light and bright, even on cloudy days. . . .Makes it hard to photograph, but I wouldn't have it any other way. . . .No curtains covering up the windows either--or any of the windows in the room. I love the sunlight filtering in all day long. . . .
John built all the cabinets several years ago. We wanted a farmhouse look to them--almost as if they were different pieces of furniture put together. . . .I don't know if you can tell it or not, but the sink cabinet juts out a little from the others. . . .Look at the curvy little detail John added on the doors below--that was his idea. . . .I added the little curtain to hide all the supplies underneath.
Believe it or not, I do all my cooking and canning on that little stove on the back wall. . . .And, I DO cook! Mostly from scratch. This is a working kitchen--not just for looks. For that reason, I like to keep the cabinet tops fairly clear of clutter. . . .The skillets above the stove--are out of the way--but handy. . . .It's a collection of my Mom's, two Grandmothers, two aunts, and myself. . . .
I wanted the kitchen to reflect the 1930s farm kitchens--but with modern conveniences.
Where's the coffee pot, microwave, dishwasher? You can learn that secret by clicking on this link:
My Kitchen's Hidden Secrets
The old coffee bin from a local grocery holds the trash can and extra paper bags and such. I thought about painting it--it's peeling pretty bad--but decided I loved the prim and shabby look. It's another one of those pieces I don't think ever should be painted. . . .
The counter tops are pretty special, too. . . .When we started renovations on the old farmhouse, we added ten feet on the back, so the roof had to be extended. When they tore off part of the old roof for the new one, they found the old roof was decked with 1 inch thick cypress! Later, we learned that the wood had been cut from virgin timber and milled right here on the farm--for the entire house! So, John took the boards, planed them down, and used them for our counter tops. . . .It's a beautiful wood. . . .especially when the sun hits it.
This is the view as you walk in from the living room. . . .We bought the bottom half of a Hoosier style cabinet for the work island, then John modified it with electric--that you can't see--and other items necessary to the kitchen. . . .The enameled top has been a blessing from the beginning. It's almost impossible to hurt it. I use it for everything from rolling out dough to setting hot pots on. . . .I never want to have another kitchen without one. . . .
To the left of the island, sits the refrigerator and. . . .
the vintage "baker's cabinet". . . .I have flours, corn meals, and sugars in the "penny" jars--the spices in the upper doors and in the right hand small drawer below. The other drawers hold more ingredients, as well as bowls for mixing and all kinds of gadgets. . . .The crocks below? Clean kitchen towels, canning lids and supplies, empty jars and storage containers. Everything has a purpose in my kitchen. . . .
Ready to see the "other" kitchen?
We have to go to the opposite end of the room. . . .Let's walk down there. . . .
This. . . .is my second Kitchen. . . .the Open Hearth. . . .
In the winter, John and I both cook using fire more than we use the stove in the kitchen. . . .There's nothing like a meal cooked on the open hearth. We had an interest in it when we worked at Colonial Williamsburg--so much so that we learned a little from the cooks there. Then we went to Pennsylvania one weekend for instruction with the Open Hearth Cook and fell in love with the method. We were hooked. . . .There was no doubt, we had to build a fireplace we could cook in for our farmhouse. . . .
Wish I could have a fire going for you now. . . .They still have a little work to do on the outside. . . .It had to be rebuilt this past year. . . .for now, this is the best I can do. . . .
The fireplace should be ready by Christmas. . . .Besides regularly cooking meals here, every year, John and I dress in 18th or 19th century clothing and cook our Christmas dinner in the open hearth. . . .It's become a tradition. . . .Everyone enjoys it--truly an old-fashioned Christmas. . . .If you don't believe me. . . .
So, that's my two kitchens. . . .You'll be seeing more of them in the coming months, as I cook and bake during the winter. . . .
Want one more look for now?
from my farmhouse to yours. . . .
Baker's Cabinet--1920s--AR
Coffee Bin--ca. 1907--Dell, AR
Corner Prim Cabinet--ca. 1940--AR
Hoosier (bottom half)--1930s--Goodwill
Apartment Size Stove--Late 1940s--Thrifted
Crocks--Grandmother Magers
Cotton Basket (Top of Fridge)--ca. 1920--Our Farm
Barn Door (Hides the Fridge)--Our Farm
Coffee Bin--ca. 1907--Dell, AR
Corner Prim Cabinet--ca. 1940--AR
Hoosier (bottom half)--1930s--Goodwill
Apartment Size Stove--Late 1940s--Thrifted
Crocks--Grandmother Magers
Cotton Basket (Top of Fridge)--ca. 1920--Our Farm
Barn Door (Hides the Fridge)--Our Farm
