Over the winter, we finally made the decision that it was time to move. It took a while to for me to accept the idea of leaving this house, our first home. But even more difficult was getting used to the idea of leaving our garden (i'm still not there yet) — i wish we could just lift it up and take it with us.
In preparation for putting our house on the market, we thought it would be a good idea to re-do our tiny kitchen. Why we didn't do this when we first moved in is a question i've asked myself over and over (and over)! So Pete and i set to work and tore out all the cabinets and countertops. We could not believe our eyes when we pulled the base cabinets away from the wall and discovered that this kitchen has always wanted to be yellow. Not just any yellow, this yellow. Crisp Ginger Ale.
The color above the tiles is what i painted two years ago. The color below is a perfect match, but painted many years ago...perhaps even as long ago as the 40's. I've probably painted the kitchen 6 or 7 times since we moved in. It's been white, two shades of orange, blue, pea green, and olive oil green. None of them felt quite right and didn't last very long. But then i finally settled on this particular yellow that was warm and buttery and it glowed in the morning sun which made me happy. I guess it made the previous owner happy too?
Which brings me to another funny thing about this house. It obviously had some plans in store for us because when we moved in, the only thing that was left in the basement was this:
(cue Twilight Zone theme song) Does anyone know what era this is from? Model? It sews like a dream!
Ok, back to packing (ugh).
xo
That is awesome! Moving is so hard. I hope the new place has lots of room for a lovely garden too :)
ReplyDeleteLove your Singer, I have a treadle one that I love to sew it, they really sew beautifully don't they? Singers have a serial number stamped on a brass plate. Looks like yours is on the right. You can use the serial number to find out loads about your machine, the date it was made, the model and even where it was made. Just use go to this site and type in the serial number :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.singerco.com/support/machine-serial-numbers or search 'singer serial number' in google
Nice house warming gift left for you. Have you used this machine, it looks in good condition.
ReplyDeleteOld sewing machines are the best! Mine is a nearly 30 yo Pfaff and it's running like butter.
ReplyDeleteHope your moving goes without trouble! Hildy
Hi Kate, I bet it's a Singer model 99, sews like a dream but the featherweight is my favorite!! Have fun in the kitchen!
ReplyDeleteCor blimey! U'r one lucky chick!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a Singer Model 201. It was a top of the line machine in its day! I have two of them, one electric, one a treadle. They'll sew through just about anything. You might want to have the motor and wiring checked out for safety's sake, but otherwise, with regular cleaning and oiling, she'll run forever!
ReplyDeleteI was going to say the same thing as Fiona about the Singer serial #. It's pre-Featherweight (since it is attached to that base--do you have the cover, too?) How fortunate that it was left to the care of another sewist!!
ReplyDeleteMy kitchen is also a light, homey yellow. it was one of the big things that told me this was to be our house.
ReplyDeleteI have an old Singer very similar to that - my daughter picked it up for me at a yard sale for $2 - it has the bonnet (wooden case cover) and everything! I took it to the shop for a good cleaning and a little re-wiring and it sews like a dream!! You can't beat an old Singer for quality workmanship!
ReplyDeleteOh!!! I have a machine IDENTICAL to that one, all the way down to the case! My Mother-in-law and her sisters used it when they were in college! I only got another, newer machine 3 years ago! She would've been in college early to mid 50s. Maybe her mother had had it before then? I will ask :) Fun finds!!
ReplyDeleteMy mother had a Singer like yours. Hers must have dated from somewhere around 1930/1940.
ReplyDeleteMy MB is a yellow and white. Lots of logs in this home so its cheery. All white bedding. I have one of those machines too. Lucky find. Thanks for sharing your kitchen.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure to find in your basement...yes, it must have been a sign!
ReplyDeleteI'm painting this week too...I've been wanting my laundry room aqua for a while now, so while my machine is in the shop for a "spa" treatment, I'm working on that!
Your little vintage sewing machine is a 99k, I have one exactly the same! The serial numbers on the brass plate (righthand side of the front bed) will give you the year it was made if you go to the webpage Fiona suggested. Probably around the 50's!
ReplyDeleteThese machines were made to last, it is a 3/4 size machine, (The Featherweight is 1/2 size, the 201's are full size). They are tough little ladies and once serviced well by someone who knows old machines well, will give you years of faithful service. I use mine all the time, even though I have 12 sewing machines, 7 of which are vintage, the 99k plays centre stage in my sewing room!!! I hope you keep it and enjoy sewing with it!!!!!
That's a lovely yellow for the kitchen. Hope your next garden gives you as much pleasure as the current one. That's a great little machine and a great bonus that it was free :).
ReplyDeleteWow. I totally missed this post.
ReplyDeleteI just commented on today's and then I scrolled down to see this one. Funny how we both feel "married" to our gardens. Kindred spirits.
The paint & sewing machine stories are complete kismet as well.
Best of luck little lady!!
Wow, it's the same one my mother had although hers was a table model of that same vintage. So probably 1952 or 1953. Then it was mine until about 12 years ago. I used it to sew all my children's clothes, quilts, drapes and cushions for our home. It was awesome. I am so sorry it's gone. My new crappy machine with a zigzag feature (the only thing it didn't do) is awful. That was a big mistake.
ReplyDeleteSniffle, sigh.
Best to you and Pete in your new home, Kate! Wherever it is I know it will be colorful and happy! xo