This reminds me of houses in the UK where they don't have built-in closets but use freestanding wardrobes for holding clothes.

And on the UK house buying shows, a lot of the kitchens don't have built-in cabinets either. The buyers are always asking if the cabinets stay with the house or will be taken by the seller.

I wonder when built-in closets and kitchen cabinets became the normal thing here?

Well, my guess: over 100 yrs ago they didn't build closets because they didn't need them. They owned a few pieces they wore for working, and a set of "good going to Church" clothes. In the middle income houses (no servants) they didn't own all the stuff to fill cabinets. In the wealthy homes, they had servants to take care of the owners and the guests - so more dishes, pots, etc. In my "new" home the 1950's free standing Sears Kitchen cabinets are still there. The metal ones with formica (I think) tops, these aren't in salvageable shape, but the big sink cabinet is. I wish they all could be saved - how cool would that look!

My 1893 Victorian -- had small closets upstairs in the bedrooms --original to the home. The kitchen had been totally gutted when I bought it so I don't know about that. The home was a wedding gift from Fredrick Weyerhauser (Weyerhauser Lumber) to his daughter -- so it was a tastefully done showplace.

My 1906 Craftsman style apt. had 2 closets in brs, 1 linen closet, 1 kitchen closet, butler's pantry and built-in china cabinet but no kitchen cabinets.

My current 1890 farmhouse had one closet under the stairs -- no built-ins and the bath was added in the mid-40's. The kitchen consisted of a wall-mounted sink.

In plan books that I have from the period -- the earliest I see kitchen cabinets is in the mid-20's. But not all the plan books show the interior details. That book is fascinating -- shows built-in laundry center (hidden ironing boards) and spacious linen cabinets. Very bungalow styled homes.

Cathy

remember that line from Field of Dreams--"If you build it, they will come"?

I always think of that, and how easy it is to get more stuff if you have a place to put it. There's a corollary to Murphy's Law: "A mess expands to fill all available space." Sort of similar.

And of course, your wisdom: "The more drawers I have, the more crap I'll put in them."

Since you don't have banks of cabinets, you have only the kitchen supplies you need.

The "unfitted kitchen" is one of the new design trends in kitchens, a return to the kitchens of Hoosier cabinets.

I will say that I want ENOUGH counter space, but only a little bit more than I currently have would actually be useful.

Hi Talley Sue,

I'm sure that you know exactly how much more counter space would be useful to you, but what you said just reminded me how much more sleep we all need: "just ten more minutes" LOL! (or is it "ten minutes more"? ...not my mother tongue)

Maria in Athens, Greece

One house I grew up in had almost no closets, but we used the wooden "wardrobes" that were common when the house was built. Nicer examples of these are usually called armoires, but these were very basic painted pieces of furniture.

The other house had very small closets in the bedrooms, but really huge walk-in closets at the front door, at the top of the stairs and in one room that may have originally been a bedroom or a children's playroom/family room. I know the house had been added on to over the years, but those large storage closets seemed to be original - at least the elaborate woodwork around the doors matched the rest of the house. I would give anything to be able to see that house in its original appearance.

mrsd - your kitchen sounds much like another house I lived in as a child. The pantry was great. There was a counter in there that we did all the baking on. Enjoy your new space!

btw, our DH's are kindred spirits. Mine has made more than one such gadget. I think he has more fun cobbling it together than buying the more normal components to make one - or even buying the thing itself.