Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

[Meli]

I love my new house.

but..
it has an original 1930's kitchen.
beautifully kept but..
No fridge space, only one small bench.
stove enclosed in a brick space/chimney hole.
f course no dishwasher.

and lots and lots of big cupboards ... Most of them just under the 10 foof ceilings

now the bench and fridge problems i fixed sort of.
bought two small fridges and put a bench top over the two together.
the dishwasher is easy. Kids are bonding well

But why so many out ofreach cupboards ?
sortof like this even down to the breakfast nook.

https://www.google.com.au/search?client=safari&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=672&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=LKB4UYbKJeuUiQe0tYDQBA&q=kitchens+1930s+australia&oq=kitchens+1930s+australia&gs_l=img.3...60210.66956.1.68216.4.4.0.0.0.0.302.896.0j2j1j1.4.0...0.0...1c.1.11.img.5AuPxSVxlAc#biv=i%7C49%3Bd%7CshlJWXM7JNWtrM%3A

bit of historical domestic research needed please.

[Keith Wilson]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

The original owners were nine feet tall?

[Keith Wilson]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

One of these.

[DMillet]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

I've a buddy who has a house like that. Even I can't reach most of the upper cupboards and I'm 6' 1".

[Meli]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

Over the stove is a bank of shallow cupboards only 6" deep with lots of shelves.
Preserves?

[Meli]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

Blokes used to like lookin up wimin's skirts?

Don't blokes do that anymore? (Blink blink)

[ron ll]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

It's those damn architects fault again. I still think your ex must be an architect.

[Meli]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

Yep domestically useless

[DMillet]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

Don't blokes do that anymore? (Blink blink)

We would, but all you wimmenz wear pants now.

[Meli]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

Most kitchens - particularly of that vintage - were not closely engineered for functionality or ergonomics. Likely - there was that much space left, and the plugged some cabinetry into it. Could be they were deliberately creating space for ______________ whatever. Spices? Canned goods? Preserves? Hard to tell at this remove.

Most kitchens were functional for their times.
seeing as the flea markets are flooded with old preserving kits, I'd guess a lot was for storage of the equitpment and products.

These were the days when most women were homemakers.
And the equitpment was pretty bulky too.

I am trying to get into a 30's womans mindset here to make things more functional.

[john welsford]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

Thats a step, in the right direction.

JW

One of these.

[Meli]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

It wont be high enough.
I had to stand on the 5th step of a ladder to put the christmas deckies away.

[Kaa]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

Install a top rope and buy a climbing harness...

Kaa

[Shang]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

Yep. Got a full ten-foot ceiling in the pantry, and elsewhere.
Ours is a turn of the century (19th to 20th) home. When stuff won't fit on the top pantry shelf it is either related to the Tong Wars or to ten foot ceiling storage, or should be sold to the gipsies

[john welsford]

Re: Why so many kitchen cupboards? Out of reach

Hey Meli, take up with a policeman. "The long arm of the law" and all that.

JohnW