Wanna meet my kitchen light?
So, y’all know that the 1894 Cross House had gas/electric combination lighting originally.
I spent years looking for such a fixture for the kitchen. It prove kinda sorta easy to find fancy gas/electric fixtures for the parlor and bedrooms, but the 1894 kitchen fixture would have been very simple. And that proved a difficult hunt.
Several years ago I snapped up the ideal fixture and a while back and the fabulous JR of GKA Lighting offered to convert the gas aspect of the fixture to electric.
When the fixture returned to me, I realized that I did not have the vertical pipe. An easy-peasy find, or so I assumed. The pipe was 7/8th OD. But, everybody was out-of-stock! I could not find it anywhere. I needed it to be 7/8th as that is what fit the all-important original canopy. Recently, I was complaining to JR about this (one vintage lighting nerd to another) and he said: “I have some 7/8″ pipe here. I’ll send one to you.” (Note: I paid for the pipe and electric conversion.)
The pipe arrived and I set this image to JR, knowing it would excite him. It did. He replied “Hahaha!! Be still my beating heart!!”
Perfect fit! The canopy helps date the fixture. Later canopies were simpler.
Another concern was the shades. Not only would an 1890s kitchen light be simple, but so would its shades. And finding REALLY simple shades is absurdly hard as people just tossed them away. They held onto the fancy shades.
Imagine, then, my great delight in finding a matched set of Holophane-style shades for both the gas and electric fitters!
SQUEE!!!!!!!!
The shades are perfect and gorgeous! The bulbs are, in stark contrast to the vintage light, dimmable LED bulbs. I love this! The new and old, blended perfectly!
The kitchen will also have three gas/electric sconces.
The finished kitchen will be the most period-correct in the house:
- The sink will be returned to its likely original location along the south wall.
- The sink will be soapstone, as was common in the 1890s.
- The original wainscoting is being restored and recreated where lost.
- The original finish on all the wood is being restored (Orange shellac).
- The original flooring has been recreated (maple).
- The original wall color was ascertained and this, too, will be recreated.
- The lost dumbwaiter and laundry chute are being recreated.
- Missing original doors were tracked own and reinstalled.
- The original windows have been restored.
- And, as detailed, the original type lighting will be installed.
- The original annunciator was long lost. A perfect one (even dated 1894. And by…incredible…Ross!) was found at last and hung in the original location. It will be restored to full functionality.
The finished room will look like an 1890s kitchen but will function as a modern kitchen.
Ross excited.
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Wow! Just wow. Very cool kitchen plan.
Just perfect.
Have you considered your appliances? I haven’t seen anything for the 1890s but I do know that for a price you can get renovated stoves going back to the 20s. You should keep your eye out for anyone getting rid of a vintage stove. You might have to start with a 40s and then just work your way back as you find an older and older stove. It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for something like a stove to be updated over the years. The original stove for my 1922 house was gone as was whatever they installed in the 1949 remodel. But I did manage to finally get rid of the horrible 70s electric thing that was in the house when I bought it when I lucked into a 40s O’Keefe and Merritt in good working order for really cheap in a charity thrift shop of all places. Best stove ever. So keep your eye out and put the word out of what you are looking for. You’ve got both the Cross house and the Carriage house kitchens. If you find something close to complete that was working at one time, you might even be able to restore it yourself. Those vintage stoves were built to last and made to be repaired. You can still get parts or have parts restored.
They make wooden doors/covers for modern refrigerators that make them look like old time ice boxes. I’ve seen them on Restored with Brett Waterman.
( I think you meant 1894, not 8914. )
Hi, Mary.
I will not be installing any 1890s appliances. The range, dishwasher, and fridge will all be new, and obviously so.
The room though, will still likely read as 1890s.
Hello Ross!
Kudos on the chandelier! That was a “GET!”
One piece of advice on all your kitchen electric LED lights. They are very susceptible to voltage fluctuations and flicker when appliances, e.g., coffee makers, and toastes are on the same circuit. Put your lights on a 15 amp circuit and upgrade your appliance circuit to a 20 amp.
In my 1900 home and in my 1958 home, the whole kitchen is on a 15-amp circuit except for the refrigerator and ovens.
(The original 15-amp outlet is still behind the fridge though unused)
My lights don’t flicker but it explains why my refrigerator is on a different circuit than the rest of the kitchen. I found out by accident but luckily didn’t electrocute myself.
Magnificent.
Very NICE! That’s perfect for a Victorian kitchen. I can’t wait to see it in the finished kitchen.
oh gosh, the kitchen will be so wonderful! I enjoy the irony that the kitchen will be as you say, the most period-correct in the house. It’s so often the room in many houses that is the least period correct! And I know it’ll be so lovely, I’m so happy for you and I can’t wait to see it continue to come along. Also, amazing light fixture.
Woooo getting more and more done, Ross. The pendant gas/ electric light looks pretty. That gal has another chance to show its beauty. Thank goodness for contacts such as JR of GKA Lighting.
It’s really fabulous Ross. Love it!!