Sunday, October 23, 2011

Clayson House Kitchen

Clayson House table
Clayson House kitchen table

Last February, I blogged about my kitchen and the plans I have for it here. Then in March, I started removing the vinyl floor covering here. Well, the floor is still in progress. I didn't work on it all summer, but this fall weather has me hoping to start up again, if my knees will cooperate!

Today, I decided to walk over to our local house museum, the Clayson House, for some kitchen inspiration. The overall look is what I would strive for, with a lot of wood everywhere. Wood wainscoting, door and window trim would really enhance my kitchen.

Clayson House kitchen light

The ceilings at the Clayson House are at least 10 ft. and mine are 8. Although I would have loved a fixture like this, I settled for a different style that doesn't hang so low.

Clayson House stove

Clayson House kitchen ice box

And although I would love the look of an old stove and ice box, my current oven and refrigerator will have to stay. I'll just try to pretend they're not there!

Clayson House sink

The dry sink shows more of the beadboard look I want to achieve.

Clayson House kitchen

Clayson House kitchen

The museum kitchen wasn't really set up the way it would have been used. Because it's a museum, there were more tsatskis on display than a working kitchen would have out all at one time.

Clayson House kitchen

Although, part of the charm of these old kitchens is how things sit out on open shelves. I love the scale and the blue graniteware!

Clayson House kitchen clock


And my kitchen clock would look so much better sitting on a shelf with a lacy cloth like this!


Clayson House kitchen

My neighbor has one of these wall-mounted coffee grinders and actually uses it.

Clayson House kitchen

My coffer grinder is more like the one above, and is only decorative. Notice the nice spice boxes and the copper clothes boiler. Laundry was done in the kitchen. Clothes were boiled, wrung out, starched, ironed and pleated, and hung to dry.

Clayson House kitchen

This looks like maybe a wash tub for the baby? I'm lucky I don't need to do my laundry or bathing in my kitchen!

Clayson House kitchen

I like the oil lamps with the iron wall brackets. I have one, and plan on using it when the kitchen is completed.

Clayson House kitchen

A cherry stoner. People back then probably thought they were living the good life, with all the fancy contraptions at their disposal. They proudly displayed any modern devices they owned. Meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out places to hide my food processor, coffee maker, etc. in order to make my house more "Victorian." Something not right about that, huh?

Clayson House kitchen window

There's something so simple and elegant about glass bottles on a windowsill.

Clayson House kitchen

The fake pie was a nice touch. I love looking at fake food. But it made me realize that I should bake more often. And I believe I will, in the dream kitchen I'm slowly creating for myself. And although my oven will be modern, my food refrigerated, and the ingredients bought at a supermarket, stepping back in time in my own kitchen will be the secret ingredient that makes everything taste better.

Labels: ,

20 Comments:

Blogger Shortbread and Ginger said...

Interesting post - there are some lovely things in that kitchen. Good luck with yours.
Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

October 24, 2011 at 5:06 AM  
Blogger Historical Ken said...

Good luck with your kitchen - - I look forward to seeing the completed project!
I often wonder...what would our ancestors think of us attempting to replicate their rooms while hiding our modern conveniences while they proudly displayed their own "modern" conveniences? I like to think they would be honored.

October 24, 2011 at 5:52 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Liz-

Thanks! I'm finally trying to catch up on all my favorite bloggers posts I missed during the summer, so I'll be commenting on yours real soon!

-Pam

October 24, 2011 at 8:20 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Ken-

Thank you. I wonder about these things, too. Maybe you're right, that they would be honored. Or maybe they'd just think we were silly! Then again, they went through phases of decorating revivals of earlier styles. It's interesting to ponder such things.

I will be catching up with your fascinating blog very soon!

-Pam

October 24, 2011 at 8:24 AM  
Blogger Ashley said...

That kitchen is lovely! We have wainscot in our kitchen, however it's been painted. When we get to fixing up the kitchen (like 15 years from now?!) I have visions of stripping it down and refinishing with shellac.

To Historical Ken - I bet they'd think we're crazy, haha!

October 24, 2011 at 8:32 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Ashley-

I just joined your First Home Dreams site! You have a great old house there. I hope I don't have to wait those 15 years (haha!) to see your kitchen finished! :-)

-Pam

October 24, 2011 at 10:26 AM  
Blogger Richard Cottrell said...

The inspiration kitchen is a good example of an early American home, I think you could use a hanging lamp if it was over a table or island. I love country kitchens and think the inspirational one could use a spot of color. good luck. Richard from My Old Historic Home.

October 24, 2011 at 10:53 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Richard-

You're right about that kitchen needing a spot of color. The wall color is a bit drab for me. Thanks for stopping by, and I'll be going through your older posts very soon!

-Pam

October 24, 2011 at 11:08 AM  
Blogger Miss Sandra said...

Dear Pam!!
So after a long weekend away..I get back to my blog to find you had visited and left me many comments!! You made my evening! It's lovely hearing from you!
Thanks for taking us on the Clayton kitchen tour. There are many wonderful details to this kitchen. I love the warmth of the woodwork. I wish you luck on having your dream kitchen. You can bet we'll be looking forward to seeing it made a reality. Hope all is wonderful and blissful in your world! By the way...Mr. Knightley says *purrrrrr* and sends his warm regards to you and your feline companions!
xo
Sandra

October 24, 2011 at 8:32 PM  
Blogger Anyes K. Busby - Studio Vignette Fine Art said...

Hello Pam,
Something very peaceful and quiet about this post, understated, wholesome, beautifully simple. Of course the nostalgic subject helps, but I think it comes from you.
Best of luck with your kitchen, it will turn out like you want it.
Anyes
XX

October 25, 2011 at 4:25 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Miss Sandra (& Mr. Knightley!)

It was so much fun going back to catch up on all your posts from the past few months! I wish my home had it's original woodwork like Harmonie House. It seems no matter how much Victorian furniture or items I have, they just don't look right with the current backdrop. That's why I need to tackle all my floors, walls and woodwork. I will certainly post when I've made some progress! :-)

-Pam

October 25, 2011 at 5:35 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Anyes-

Thank you for the kind thoughts and encouragement! I appreciate all the moral support from the blogging community I can get. You certainly were an inspiration, with your massive window project! :-)

-Pam

October 25, 2011 at 5:38 PM  
Blogger Sea Witch said...

so enjoyed this post. I love period rooms and especially the kitchen...it is the heart of any home. I can't wait to see when your kitchen is finished. Lots of photos I hope. Sea witch

October 25, 2011 at 7:23 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Sea Witch-

I'll be sure to post lots of pictures as it progresses! I'm glad you enjoyed seeing my inspiration kitchen. :-)

-Pam

October 25, 2011 at 10:04 PM  
Blogger Pam Kessler said...

First of all, the baby in the highchair scared me. But the lamp hanging down in the kitchen is so unique. Looks like lots of great ideas. If you could live without your fridge you would be all set.

October 26, 2011 at 4:43 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Pam-

Ha! yeah, I don't like when museums use dummies! It's creepy. I wish I had a pantry or somewhere to hide the fridge.

-Pam

October 26, 2011 at 8:13 PM  
Blogger Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

Hi Pam...so good to see you posting again.
I love those old kitchens..and they "tools" they used to cook with.
Passed up a deal on one of those hanging lamps..as we had just put in another style in our kitchen about two months before. BUT if I had seen the one I passed up FIRST, that would have been my preference. Patience is not one of my virtues. Ah so..life goes.
One would have to start early in the morning and cook for the whole day at times I bet. With no decent refrigertion they had to be very inventive.
I hope you are able to complete your kitchen project soon.
With love, Rose

October 29, 2011 at 12:12 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Rose-

It's going to take me awhile to finish my kitchen, due to lack of time ( and money, lol!). Sometimes, we want something specific, such as that light fixture, but settle for something else in the meantime. It's hard when you're furnishing with antiques, because it can be years before something comes along that's just right, and affordable at the same time!

-Pam

October 29, 2011 at 12:18 PM  
Blogger Lisa said...

Holy cats! We had almost the same spicebox when I was growing up. I'm sure it came from a flea market in Vienna Austria. I wonder where it is now?

November 24, 2011 at 3:02 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Lisa and Robb-

Too bad you don't have that spice box now! Some of them are worth a lot of money!

-Pam

November 26, 2011 at 11:15 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home