Well, you surely did a great job painting them! A lot of people move their old steel cabs into the garage for storage. If you can't find any buyers, donate them to Habitat for Humanity and use the tax write-off.

If you decide to gut your kitchen you can list the cabinets on craigs list.

Agree with changesinteriors.
As for the magnetic closures-find a local fabricator and see if they can assist you---I'm certain they can. Good Luck!

[houzz=][houzz=]

Hi 100garza,

I've not worked with that cabinetry before so I'm not familiar with the catch. It looks as though if you could remove the female portion on the door, perhaps it could be realigned/reshaped to fit more securely? Based on the construction of the door, I would think that those could be gently pried out.

If that doesnt work then perhaps send the photos to a local metal shop to see if they can make them for you. (as Natalie suggested) You should only need the female portion. One other option would be to leave them as is and use a supplemental catch on the doors where needed. Here's a link to some that could work, and they have a cool retro look to them too. (They would be attached the inside of the frame of your cabinet openings.

Steve
http://www.shop4classics.com/product.asp?lid=2877

In the photo your cabinets look great with the new paint job! I think it is definitely worth trying to fix the magnetic closures to keep them. We had smooth metal cabinets in our kitchen that dated back to the 1930's or 40's (old dentist office style). They were painted white and actually looked quite good, but they had to be replaced when the drawers started dropping metal dust onto the cabinets below from metal scraping on metal. That turned out to be an unfixable problem (and believe me, we and two different contractors tried!). But your magnetic closure issue does not sound unsurmountable. Best of luck!

P.S. We kept most of the old cabinets for use in our basement workroom.

http://www.china-magnet.net/info/2011-11-21/Re-Charge-neodymium-Magnets_1.html
That link will tell you how to remagnetize your magnets.

I would paint the cabinets exactly the same color as your inspiration pic. Keep it bright above the counter... If you want to invest money---add lighting under your upper cabs and puck lights around the perimeter w/dimmers... :)

Thanks to all for the great ideas & help!

I am not definite yet, but I think I may go the path of keeping my steel cabinets (keeping them the same color, as I like the Coastal Blue they are painted) and remodeling entirely everything else from floor to ceiling.
I’d like it a bit contemporary (not vintage!) and all the clutter will definitely gone! The cabinets already have underneath lighting, but I may update that a bit.

I’ll keep looking on Houzz for great suggestions as I am planning on a full remodel of my 5x8 bath in early 2013.

Steve (Price), I went to your website and fell in love with the SV kitchen and most of your projects. Wish you were here in Maryland.

Thanks again everyone,
Laurie

Hi Laurie,

Thank you so much for the very kind words, I really appreciate it. The SV project was a lot of fun and the client gave me carte blanche with the design, so I got to try ideas I've had stuck in my head for years! :o) I still have more photos to take of other rooms, which also had some nice details.

I'm very pleased to hear you're considering keeping the metal cabinetry, and look forward to seeing the photos of when its all done. I love your inspiration photo too!

Steve

PS - what is the on-centering of the holes on your cabinets? I may have a solution for that for you.

Well, you certainly are extremely talented as the projects you have on your website are incredible.
As for the on-centering of the holes, I am not sure what you mean?
The 1 cabinet that closes (but not very well) is due to the plastic being broke. The 3rd pic above is one that's fine, the one I just attached is broken.

This website may explain what's going on with St. Charles:
http://retrorenovation.com/2012/04/18/viking-discontinues-st-charles-steel-kitchen-cabinet-sales/

In your shoes, I would call Viking customer service on the phone. If the St. Charles website is indeed shut down, no one will be answering email sent there.

Can you can swap the good closures from infrequently used cabinets with the bad ones in the frequently used cabinets?

Hi Laurie,

Thank you! :o) And thanks for posting the close-up photo, I'm wondering if these are items you could have made by a plastics company. (They looked metal in the earlier photo)

I was actually referring to the on-center measurements for the pulls, as you had mentioned earlier that they weren't a standard size. Could you tell me what the measurement is from the center of each hole?

Thanks

Hi apple_pie_order,

Thanks for posting that link - interesting company and its a shame that they appear to be seriously on the decline. @Laurie - another reason why its wonderful that you're considering savings these iconic gems! :o)
Steve

apple_pie_order:

Thanks for the article. St. Charles of NY actually purchased them from Viking. I was reading the below article earlier today and they do still have a line of steel cabinets.
http://retrorenovation.com/2012/08/12/breaking-news-st-charles-steel-kitchens-to-be-revived-by-st-charles-of-new-york/

I actually tried to contact St. Charles years back when they were still in business with no success. I only have 1 cabinet where the plastic is broken. The cabinet still closes, but not tight, so it's not a major issue. I am just thinking about the future, if I keep the cabinets and need parts for them.

Steve:
The pulls were 2 3/4". When I painted the cabinets (that was 12 years ago) I went to the "box" HW stores and took a pull with me but could not find any that size. I did find a few on line, but I really did not like the ones I saw. The ones I liked were very costly for 27 cabinets. At that time I wasn't willing to spend that much, so I went the other option of adding 2 ceramic knobs instead of 1 pull. Not the best look, but it worked.

Thanks

Hi Laurie,

What style of pulls are you looking for?

Thanks

I am really not sure right now. It depends on what I do with the kitchen.

Hi Laurie,

Here's one company that has several choices for 2 3/4" pulls. To be honest they have a lousy website, but they have a great selection and some obscure stuff too. I've used them many times and have been very pleased with their service and prices.

http://www.eclectic-ware.com/contactus/Objective/ctc-pulls/ctc-pulls.html

Hope this helps,

Steve

Great, thanks so much for all the help Steve!

You're very welcome Laurie, hope it helps!

Good, I am glad St. Charles is being bought and revived.

Beautifulremodel. com: thank you for the link to eclectic-ware.com. They have lots of interesting things.

Steve,

Can I bother you again to ask your advise on one more thing :)
I know I can not organize a total remodel of my kitchen by myself. Could you give me few pointers on what to look for in hiring a designer, so I know I am making a good choice.

Thanks again for your help!
Laurie

Hi Laurie,

I'm happy to help :)

1. If you're able to get referrals from friends family, etc. start there. You'll get a more objective opinion than starting "cold". If not, then instead begin with checking your local chapter of ASID for designers in your area, and look at their websites to see which ones stand out to you. (While a great designer can design in any style, YOU are going to be more convinced from the beginning that they are right for you if they have examples similar to what you're looking to achieve).
2. Search local design professionals on Houzz, and check out their actual projects, not idea books. And check their comments history...it can be very insightful ;o) Are they helpful, creative, too opinionated, objective?
3. Meet with the few that you feel are have the design aesthetic that you're looking for. I've worked with many over the years and most do not charge for an initial meeting IF its at their office or showroom.
4. Follow your instincts. Talent is vital, but communication is every bit as important. When you're talking with the designers, do you feel they are really listening to you? Take note. I've worked with a few designers who while very talented, have been very bossy, and just don't listen to the client. Not a good recipe for a healthy relationship. Mutual respect is a must.
5. Once you've short-listed, arrange a meeting at your home and explain in detail what you love and don't about the space, and what your ideal goals are. You may have to pay for this meeting, but find out the cost beforehand (if any) and consider it a wise investment.
6. Be prepared. Photos are the ideal way of getting your point across. Words can be subjective in design. Show the designers examples of what you'd love to achieve. That may be small detail in one photo, or a feeling you get from another. Take notes of what they say, what you like or don't.
7. Take your time to decide. Your instincts are key here. Which designer really understood what you are trying to achieve? They should be creative, communicative and be able to take your ideas and really compound them. After the right meeting, you should be excited at the prospect of working with them!

Disclaimer time: These are ideas and thoughts off the top of my head, but they hopefully make sense and are helpful! I wish you the best, and look forward to seeing the results of a great collaboration!

Steve

I would be cautious in regards to keeping the existing old cabinets and renovating around them.
The layout could potentially be better, and it is often hard to fit new appliances into older cabinet configurations. Most of the newer models are different sizes. You might get an overall general different appearance of the kitchen, but today there are so many amazing products and accessories on the market, that it would be a shame not to explore that option first.

no way in the world would I part with those cabinets! They are very charming and stylish! Definitely grey on the floor that's a good nuetral anyways, if you paint cabinets in the future I'm sure others have some good advice on fixing the magnetics, call a cabinet installer with a good rep regarding possible fixes there. You really have a great space here-I hope you re-post after pics so we can see what you decide. You may want a change since you live with it-but I love it as is! Just wonderful.

Retro Renovation. com is a good source for suppliers of specialty items and tips to handle such thing, such as finding catches and drawer pulls, and an excellent place to post questions of that sort. The stuff posted may be more retro than you like, but fun to look at, and you might like to keep a touch of retro elsewhere.

Don't listen to anybody who says to replace those cabinets. Hardly anything new is of that quality and you can get good money for them if you live in the right place where mid-century is in and you don't have to deal with shipping. Consider taking them to a machine or auto painting shop to strip and repaint for the best results.

Is that a recycled glass counter? Love it! And those metal cabinets are sturdy enough to hold it up!

@ Steve: Thanks again! I am starting cold, but your advise really helps. It has been 12 years with this kitchen, so I will be taking my time and doing all the research beforehand.

I know the cabinets are high quality as they've taken a beating for 38 years with only 1 minor issue in the past 6 months with the closure (which most wouldn't even know about when they look at them).
I bought the worse house in the best neighborhood (as they say) and now it's time to give it a "facelift" :)

Thanks to all for the continuous responses.

@ victorianbungalowranch: Yes, the last pic at the top is recycled glass. That actually is what I want to be the focal point of my kitchen and what inspired me to start this project. The pics below I found 6 months ago and knew it wasn’t going to be granite (although Blue Bahia & Azul is great), silestone, etc. It was definitely VETRAZZO!

The recycled glass Vetrazzo is beautiful. I wish it were less expensive (cost was about twice the price of medium-range granite). It looks like sparkling jewels. You'll need extra bright lighting to make it sparkle in the kitchen. Showrooms are often eight to ten times as bright as home kitchens (I took a light meter with me to the last one).

I would be more than happy to take those old metal cabinets. lol.
Steve , I just looked at the SV kitchen. Fantastic job. "We're not worthy"

Wow, thank you KOH, I really appreciate the compliment!!! Cheers!, Steve

@ apple_pie_order:
Yeah, I know, it's expensive :( I received an estimate a few months ago ($14K) and that does not include hooking up the sink or stove. But you know how it goes when you fall in love at first sight! There is only 1 installer in Maryland and they are 20 minutes from me, which is good.
I still have my 2nd choice, if the Vetrazzo doesn't pan out.

Vintage St Charles Kitchen Cabinets Available (Set of 20) Excellent Condition
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/mat/4712104623.html


Vintage St Charles Kitchen Cabinets (Set of 20) Excellent Condition
Full set of 20 Cabinets
All metal / Steel
Bright White finish (New powder coat finish)
Uppers have the original (and working) Under cabinet lighting
Original Wavy handles
Base units have full extension drawers and roll-out shelves

More pics available at:
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Absmbli2btGTmA

Specs listed below:

St Charles kitchen Cabinets - Original in 1960 / Excellent condition

Uppers Cabinets
1 36 Wide x 30 High Double Door / Integrated under cab light
2 42 Wide x 30 High Double Glass door, Glass Shelves , Mirror back , Integrated under cab light
3 36 Wide x 30 High Double Door / Integrated under cab light
4 25 Wide x 30 High Corner, Single Door, Hinge right, Integrated under cab light , Lazy susan
5 12 Wide x 30 High Single Door, hinge Left
6 12 Wide x 30 High Single Door, Hinge Right
7 25 Wide x 30 High Corner, Single Door, Hinge Left, Integrated under cab light , Lazy susan
8 33 Wide x 30 High Double Door / Integrated under cab light

Base Cabinets
1 24 Wide x 34 High Curved double door, 3 shelves
2 15 Wide x 34 High Single Door, hinge Left, plus drawer
3 24 Wide x 34 High Sink base, double door
4 30 Wide x 34 High Double door with two full extension pull shelves, plus drawer
5 15 Wide x 34 High Single door, Hinge Lft with two full extension pull shelves, plus drawer
6 27 Wide x 34 High Cook top base, Double drawer
7 15 Wide x 34 High Single door, Hinge right with two full extension pull shelves, plus drawer
8 27 Wide x 34 High Double door with two full extension pull shelves, plus drawer
9 18 Wide x 34 High Triple Drawer with integrated pull-out cutting Board
10 18 Wide x 34 High Single Door, hinge right with lock (Liquor Cab) Two full ext pull-out shelves
11 15 Wide x 34 High Single Door, Hinge Right integrated tray dividers, with drawer

Pantry Cabinet
1 27 Wide x 81 High (24 Deep) double door above over, Two deep pull out drawers below

All Cabinets have original wavy handles.

Thanks for the post Bill, that's great info to know and sincerely appreciated!

I still have not remodeled due to other projects that needed to be done first. I still am aiming to as soon as it's possible.

Thanks again

I came across this post when looking for sources for St Charles cabinets.

For our existing kitchen we like to switch some cabinets, and I am looking for 79" tall pantry cabinet to accommodate a wider oven and microwave.

Width is 30" might do, but wider (33"?) is better.

Anything combination of lower/upper/ pantry cabinets with this height and width should do. Thanks for any leads.

Can you please tell me how and with what you painted your cabinets?

belzoniboy I used Glidden Gripper to prime and Ralph Lauren Satin to paint. It's been 16 yrs. and they look like I just painted them.

Is it possible to see picture. I'd really appreciate it

Also, did you have to take cabinets down to do it?

belzoniboy I did not take them down to paint them, just painted them where they are.

Here are a few pics.