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The Victorian Kitchen - Charm of A Bygone Era

A Victorian kitchen was often called "below stairs" because it was to be found in the basements of large Victorian homes in both city and country.

The kitchen consisted of a few rooms - the main kitchen, a storeroom, a larder, a butler's pantry and a scullery (where the undermaid washed dishes), and was staffed by a cook and often many other helpers.

At this time there were a few kitchen appliances, but no electricity or running water supplies The heat came from a large fireplace which occupied one wall of the kitchen. Cooking was done both here and on a cast-iron stove or wood fired oven. Candles and lamps were used.

victorian kitchen

Atmosphere

The Victorian kitchen was very busy but ordered. The family hardly ever visited the kitchen in wealthy homes, but it was the heart of the ordinary family home. Warm and comfortable but strictly utilitarian, it catered for cooking and cleaning and storing supplies. The materials used were those locally accessible. You can create an atmosphere by collecting pieces of Victoriana and displaying them in your kitchen. Use a modern replica of an old cast iron oven, make a fireplace with a gas fire if you don't have one already and get candle look-alike light fittings with a candelabrum over the table.

victorian kitchen

Furniture

There would be wide open shelving made of pine and painted light colors or white for plates and platters. Crockery and cups were often hung above shelving on hooks.

A large central pine table was used to do all food preparation and work. Shallow drawers beneath the table stored utensils and napkins. Wooden chairs were used for seating; below stairs staff ate all their meals here.

Large wooden dressers were used for storage and for displaying china and teaware. There were no cabinets as such, but you can use yours and simply paint them a light color for a more authentic look.

The butler's pantry was another large dresser and sink combination.

victorian kitchen

Materials

Flooring was of stone flagstones, tile or hardwood.

Walls were made of brick or stone and to lighten the room, limewashed or painted.

The mantelpiece was a heavy wooden beam or a stone lintel, but often Victorian kitchens had cast iron fireplaces with ornate ceramic tiles surrounding them. (These fireplace facades can be bought and installed into a fireplace.)

Windows were dressed in fabrics such as lace or brocade depending upon the financial status of the owner.

Ceramic tiles may feature elsewhere, too.

victorian kitchen

Accessories

Use ceramic or copper knobs on drawers and cabinets for decoration and an authentic feel.

Throw down a rug to give warmth to your floor.

If you are buying new cabinets, get plain, simple ones (Shaker or Mission style) and give them a 'shabby-chic' treatment. These will look gorgeous as well as add to the Victorian style.

victorian kitchen

You could stencil the actual window panes to give a very 'lacey' Victorian look. This is easy to do - use a stencil and white car enamel spray paint.

Hang beautiful copper pots and pans> from overhead racks or from hooks in the ceiling or on the walls. Cast iron cooking pots were often used and can be bought at markets and in stores.

Old fashioned mincing machines, coffee grinders and other vintage appliances could decorate your shelving or tops of cabinets.These can be found in second hand shops and at house sales sometimes.

Put up a spice rack to hold spice jars near the stove.

Hang some watercolors of countryside or old sepia portrait photos (you can always buy Victorian family photos at markets and use these, or get some from books and photocopy them, if you have none of your own family from that era)on the walls. Add a picture rail to your walls...very easy to do.

Add some old blue and white plates above the mantelpiece or hanging on the wall.

In no time at all you'll have a really authentic feel to your Victorian kitchen. Keep an eye out at markets and second-hand shops for pieces of Victoriana and bring them home for your kitchen!

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The Victorian Kitchen - Charm of A Bygone Era

Atmosphere

Furniture

Materials

Accessories

In no time at all you'll have a really authentic feel to your Victorian kitchen. Keep an eye out at markets and second-hand shops for pieces of Victoriana and bring them home for your kitchen!

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