Victorian alcove cupboards

[Rob_G]

Hi, I'm a newbie here - so hello to everyone.

I live in an 1890's 2 bed terraced house that had had most of its original features gutted at some some time in its life. So far I've concentrated on getting the place stable: roof, wiring, plastering, renovating the sash windows etc. Now I can put my mind to introducing a bit of character back into the interior of the place (albeit ersatz). What I'd like to do as a first step is to build some convincing alcove cupboards.

Sooo ... to all you folks that still have original alcove cupboards (in a smallish terraced house), I'd really appreciate it if you could email me the height of your cupboard top from the floor (probably waist height?) as I need those dimensions before I get the electrician to put in the sockets (just above the cupboards). If someone has a set of plans that I could alter that would be really peachy.

Hope this makes sense,

Rob

r.w.griffiths@open.ac.uk

 

[Andrew Bodenham]

Rob

Now you're getting to the interesting bit - recreating the character of the house.

I wouldn't get too hung up about precise dimensions for this sort of thing. The sizing of built-in furniture would reflect many variables, such as regional variations, local variations, what the carpeneter had learned as an apprentice, what the gaffer had done in the next door house, the available length of the bits of wood they had with them etc.etc.

Unless you can find a specific local example, e.g. in a neighbours house, I'd aim to produce something which in proportion and styling captures the essence of alcove cupboards of that period. After all, it's your house now, and you have to look at and live with whatever you build.

If you mock up the cupboard in cardboard or MDF first you can be sure that the proportions will look right.

 

[MdB]

Ditto what Andrew says. You aren't building a museum, you are building a house you are going to live in. Put the height of the cupboards at the height that you want and don't get too hung up as to what was there originally. The average persons height has also grown considerably over the last couple of hundred years so you would probably want a higher surface anyway.

 

[Nemesis]

We had alcove cupboards built in a previous house, by a friend who ran a traditional joinery business. Alas he is dead now, but he knew exactly the right sizes to make the component parts for the panelled doors etc.

I'd ask a proper joiner - or try to get a traditional joinery book - as yes it does make a difference getting the proportions about right.

 

[another_richard]

Rob,

our house is a Victorian jobbie 1880s ish in hastings. here is what our fitted cupboards look like:


[Open Image] [Hosted by PhotoGalaxy.com]

 

[another_richard]

Forgot to add.

Popped into a neighbours house and observed that the tops of the cupboards were originally stained wood. Made to look (and very convincingly me-thought) like some rich dark wood, perhaps mohogany.

another_Rich

 

[Nemesis]

Yes - deeper bottom rail - the mistake many make is making the top and bottom ones the same depth.

The terraced house in which I was born had these, and for some reason people always referred to them as chiffoniers. Probably sounded rather more grand than just cupboards.

 

[Rob_G]

Many thanks for the replies - the photos were very useful - anyone else got photos?

Best wishes,

Rob

 

[MdB]

Many thanks for the replies - the photos were very useful - anyone else got photos?

I don't think you want photos of my hardboard cupboards that were fitted in the 1970s (and removed 6 months ago). Basically in the same position as in Richard's picture on our old walls but nowhere near as nice. Still haven't decided on what to put back in place but it will probably be shelves.

 

[Nemesis]

Ours had skirtings which acted as a plinth and then the doors were above those, set in a frame. Same idea though.

 

[another_richard]

Rob,

The photograph is of the frist floor front room

The ground floor front only has 1 fitted cupboard to the left.

Luckily for us the original fireplace has simply been covered over with a piece of plywood.
We took tphotographs on the day we had a tour by the agent.

The back rooms have fitted shelves and 3/4 length cupboards. The kitchen has fitted cupboards, though these are the full length.

Rich

 

[Penners]

email me the height of your cupboard top from the floor (probably waist height?) as I need those dimensions before I get the electrician to put in the sockets

The correct height for the top of the cupboards is precisely... what looks right to you. :wink:

However, do take heed of Nemesis' comment about your door rails. The bottom one must be notably deeper than the top, if you want the proportions to look good.