Historical Housekeeping: Creating a Country/Vintage Inspired Kitchen

Leave a comment April 10, 2015 aimeevictorianarmoire

Fresh and clean describe the condition of my ideal kitchen – maybe with a slight lemon scent in the air. Colorful, cheery, and old-fashioned describe the feel of my ideal kitchen. While organizing and purging my kitchen cabinets a few weeks ago, I was delighted to find several pieces that I had purchased over the years. One of my newly discovered favorites was a cream colored, milk pitcher. It now holds a continuous bouquet of fresh wildflowers on my counter.

Although we may all have modern kitchens, that doesn’t mean we can’t find ways to keep that old, vintage, farmhouse look alive. While my dream kitchen features a 1920’s range, my real kitchen features a Whirlpool gas oven. Not quite the same thing – but it helps to have an old tin canister resting on top holding my cooking utensils!

Since I live my life on a budget (like so many of us) I find that well purchased decorations can make a large impact on the overall feel and mood of a room. Here are a few of my favorite ways to decorate one’s kitchen:

That wooden Breakfast sign I purchased for $30 at a local antique store…best spent $30 ever! 🙂

While decorations add to the look of a room, fabric adds to it’s comfort and warmth. From tea towels, curtains, placemats, or table cloths, the tone and texture of fabric shows not only one’s personality, but that warm country feeling.

Here are a few unique types of fabric you could include in your kitchen. Adjust the color, pattern, and weight to suit your own style!

Remember, creativity, not money, should be our guide as we find ways to bring the past into out modern lives…one tin canister at a time!

~ Aimee

Free Resources for creating your dream kitchen:

Free Retro Themed Kitchen Embroidery Patterns

Free Vintage Themed Kitchen Decals

Free Kitchen Cafe Curtain Pattern

Steps to Create Wild Flower Arrangements

Free 1920’s Apron Tutorial…from me! :-0

Accessories: 1940’s Hair Turban

1 Comment April 8, 2015 aimeevictorianarmoire

In keeping with the theme of spring cleaning, this little tutorial will be sure to keep you hairdo dust free!

While there are many ways to create the adorable 1940’s hair turban, I wanted to create something a little different. My turban has extra long ties to create a bow on top of the head, while a hammock like piece wraps around the head to keep your hair tucked away.

*** The size of the rectangle can be altered according to head size and hair length. Some bobby pinning may be required to achieve a secure fit.

Here is what you will need:

– 1/2 yard of cotton fabric

– Thread

Lay out your fabric and create shapes with the following measurements. Cut out. Cut two ties out of the 6″ wide section (3″ wide.) You can make the ties as wide as you like. For a more fluffy bow, try ties that are 5-6 ” wide.

Then hem the long sides of the rectangle.

Run a gathering stitch along the shorter sides.

Now take the ties, fold them right sides together, stitch, turn out and press.

Gather up the shorter sides to the length of the ties and pin. Stitch right sides together.

Trim excess fabric and press.

And there you have a unique 1940’s inspired turban!

Enjoy!!

~ Aimee

On My Inspiration Board: The House Dress

Leave a comment April 6, 2015 aimeevictorianarmoire

As a little girl, I remember the house rule was as soon as you get home from school or church -change into your play clothes. These clothes usually consisted of older stained and faded t-shirts, shorts or pants that may have a few patches and of course, hair back into a ponytail. However I would never – well, my mom would never let me – wear these clothes in public, as they were for a specific, at home purpose.

Work or play clothes did the job of mentally allowing a person to complete the task at hand with gusto and energy, with little fear of getting dirty. Today, these home clothes, at least for me, must be comfortable in feel and cute by design. Here are a few of my personal faves from Target:

Take a look back and one sees a changing style of house dresses as social demands and social classes adjust. While there may be more styles and examples out there, for my purpose, I focused on those consistent with the middle class.

1700-1900 shows some dresses that are simply toned down versions of day wear to others that are a complete different styles than those worn on the street.

Fast forward to post turn of the century and the idea of women having specific clothing for work around the house continues, yet reflects the ideas of early 1800’s, that the look should still be stylish. However, if one focuses on 1920’s and onwards, a fun change is noticed. While there continues to be separate clothing for these activities, the styles are more vibrant and feminine. By 1950, many women have the option to choose the house robe versus a dress, yet its flare and look still are beautifully apparent.

Whether you are a one outfit a day person, or dress to fit the job, you are in great company!

~ Aimee

From My Sewing Table: April

Leave a comment April 1, 2015 aimeevictorianarmoire

It has been rainy, cloudy, and chilly…which can only mean one thing – spring must be here! While it may be too early for tulips and daffodils to be in full bloom, it isn’t too early for robins and returning geese…a sure sign that warmth is on it’s way!

April, and therefore spring, means the much needed spring cleaning which encompasses (at least in my household) the inside and the outside. Organizing holiday decorations in the basement, cleaning out closets, and removing excess debris brought in by large snow drifts, are just many of the duties that need to be done. This year I am planning on having a large yard sale, so I have extra motivation to pore through all those boxes and bins piled up in the hidden places of my house.

Of course this has led me to reflect on the origins of “spring cleaning” and the various parts of keeping one’s house clean and organized. Therefore, all posts this month will focus on “keeping things tidy.” From 19th century weekly cleaning schedules, to bathing routines, and house dresses over the years, April’s posts will hopefully serve to keep you motivated and encouraged as you tidy up your own little piece of heaven.

April is also the month we honor our world by celebrating Earth Day on April 22nd. This also happens to be my birthday – and it’s the big 3-0 as well! 🙂 So for all you April birthdays out there here is a little poem taken from a 1900 Good Housekeeping article –