19th Century Farm Kitchen

"The Finished Work"

In 2003 the Studio of Canadian Wood Craftsman commissioned a 19th Century Farmhouse Kitchen in a gorgeous and unspoiled field stone farmhouse in Grey County,Ontario. These farmhouse kitchens present a very problematic situation for more modern kitchen cabinet designs highlighting large uninterrupted counter space and long runs of cabinets. Large windows coming low to the floor and 2 to 3 doors exiting these large rooms make it almost impossible to incorporate modern kitchen design. Traditionally these kitchens comprised of Sideboards, Dish Dressers & Hutches. A heavy draw table often adorned the centre of these large kitchens as a preparation space. In this case my client has a draw table and the hutch unit only as shown in the drawing below. The 6"crown mould was partially missing and the pie shelf appeared to have been cut off to accommodate the solo use of the hutch. The original base unit had gone astray in its nomadic past.

"The Plans"

Composite Elevation: Existing & New

These designs reflect a 19th century Germanic influence widely employed as far back as 18th century Pennsylvania. This influence entered Upper Canada by way of the Niagara Peninsula with large communities settling the Waterloo and surrounding counties. These pieces incorporate traditional joinery that was used then and now in these careful reproductions. Joinery like mortise & tenon, frame & panel and dovetailing will ensure longevity and value in these fine pieces.

Elevation: Reproduction Sink Hutch

Moulding Detail

"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." ----------- Nelson Henderson