Saturday, October 27, 2018

Julia


Isn't she a beauty?!


It took about 3 weeks to get her ready for her big debut.

If you remember, she looked like this when we brought her home:


Just getting her here was an ordeal and I wish I had taken pictures.

It took two trips from the antique store, which was down the street, to get her home.

Just to get her top here, we had to use those cement blocks you see in the above picture, because the ice tray and all her components could be damaged without keeping her top in the air.

You should have seen me straddling the top and blocks in the back of the truck lol

Bringing the bottom here wasn't too bad, but it was definitely heavy!

Even though they were only made between 1927 and 1936, people kept them for a long time afterwards. I don't think it was just because of the great depression, I think these things stayed in people's homes so long, because nobody wanted to move them again. In fact, I'm surprised they aren't found in old houses to this very day.

They were definitely made to last!

Just to lift the tops, an installer would bring this:


Since the installers are long gone and those lifts are nowhere to be found, we had to make due on our own once she was restored.

Speaking of, here's her restoration story.

First, all of her shelves, legs and door were removed and then the hardware was removed and bagged.


To adjust the hinges someone used whatever cardboard they had on hand, so we found these underneath:





They're from a box of Kellogg's Pep cereal, which was made from 1923 until the 1970s, which is funny, because growing up in the 70s, I don't remember it at all. I dated the green Pep writing to somewhere between the 1930s and 40s.


You know me, I just had to look it up ;)

Anyway, I found the original color under the nameplate and it was an off-white not a pure white, so that's what we decided to go with. 


The closest we found was called Antique white by Rust-Oleum.

But first we had to take off all the bad paint jobs she had gone through over the years.


She also had an old suspicious burn mark on one side that looked like someone kept her by a stove and they caught something on fire. It might just be why she was given away in the first place.


Then came the sanding.



Then we covered up the two name plates we couldn't remove.



And then she was ready for her car primer. 

Yes, for a car.


And then wet sanding, more primer, more wet sanding and then finally paint, which John did all by himself, because I am the master of paint drips lol


We did all of that to the top too, but I must have been too excited to take pictures ;)

Then it was time to take the other old girl out to be restored.


Eventually, she'll be put into use downstairs next to the deep freezer, for holiday platters and such.

I know, I know.... not true to the period of owning one of these.

So sue me :p

Then I painted the refrigerator area and she was put into place.... 



using a furniture dolly.

No pictures of that! lol

Here's the same space finished:


A close up of the top:



Here's the inside with Beebee taking a peek:


Although I knew that the coldest items had to go up top, I wasn't sure where to put everything else, so I found a diagram for how things are supposed to be placed.



I did adjust a few things, but pretty much stayed with their suggestions.

All the condiments are in that refrigerator drawer on the third shelf, until I find something better looking to hold them. And the drawer on the second shelf holds cheese and butter.

Anyway, I don't think GE will be coming over to inspect it anytime soon ;)

It's the perfect size for just the two of us, but if we had kids at home, we'd need one of these big boys:


I'm stopping now for fear that y'all are as bored as Beebee is now that the refrigerator door is closed.



But next time, I'll show you the whole kitchen with Miss Julia as the star :)

xo
rue



PS

Thank you to those that got my humor on my last post and apologies to those that didn't, but I did warn you ;)

47 comments:

  1. What a wonderful restoration. You will enjoy that. So much fun to renovate and use something old.

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  2. What a fantastic restoration job and story about this fridge. It looks wonderful in the space.

    Thanks for sharing ~ FlowerLady

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  3. I LOVE this!!! What a gem - and your restoration amazing.

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  4. I love how you rescued her! I have an old small chest freezer, Penncrest (J.C.Penney) from the late 60s. She's a bit beat up - my Mom bought her from a friend for $10.00. She runs like a top. I have old Kenmore washer and dryer - my husband fixes whatever pops up (very infrequently). I just love them - they are old friends. My recent fridge is from 1997 - Whirlpool Gold - and it's still humming away. People dump 'old' stuff for new - not always the way to go. ENJOY your treasure! She looks SO happy:)

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    1. Hi Karen :)

      John is an appliance repair man and he's always telling me how his clients complain because they have to get a new appliance in just a few years. Things just aren't made to last like they used to be, which is sad. I love how you're keeping all those old gems. I wish more people would :)

      xo

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  5. Well done! She is a real beauty! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Absolute perfection. It was a lot of work, but now you can enjoy the results. Back in the 60's I actually lived in an apartment in Indiana that had one of these . . . it was antique back then :) I say, BRAVO on a great job!
    Connie :)

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  7. I have been following you for quite sometime. I guess what really got me interested was the way you refashioned clothes. I love to sew but I also love how you stick with the old things. I can remember that refrigerator you just refinished in the apt. my Mom and Dad lived in Baltimore, Md.It's so refreshing to see your enthusiasim for 30's and 40's. Keep the articles coming. Phyllis

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    1. Hi Phyllis :)

      I've probably been pretty disappointing in the clothing department, since it's been a very long time since I posted about it lol I'll see what I can do about incorporating more of that. And thank you for your sweet words!

      xo

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  8. Oh my gosh - what a project! Julia was meant to have a home with you. I think you have found the perfect partner in crime for these projects. Julia is just adorable.

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  9. I grew up in the 40's and my aunt living in St. Paul, MN., had a fridge like this. I know why they are still out there, for sale, someplace, because they worked and worked and worked. It was the best way to go in the 40's, and it looks like they have made it full circle. Most of all, I remember the ice cube trays...I am close to 80 yrs old, but the memories never get old.

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  10. Julia is beautiful and she should feel very loved after all your hard work! Congratulations on bringing her to a home I'm sure she feels very at home in. Does she keep cold? Does she have to be defrosted, a job I do not remember with pleasure? I know to you she would be worth it though. The next time I spot her sister in one of my old magazines I'll be thinking of her.

    The fridge she replaces is pretty cool too!

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    1. Rue, I had to come back and tell you that when our son and d-i-l visited us this weekend, I showed them your kitchen post and an old one of your house story and they poured over all the details enjoying the post so much.

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  11. Sah-weet!!!! I never thought a out them weighing so much but should have suspected. And that she is in good working order is amazing. Great paint job (with proper priming:-). She's a rockstar!

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  12. Absolutely gorgeous, Rue! I love all the photos. What a spectacular finish. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Fabulous! I love this post. What a beautiful piece...and I'm surprised at how much room is inside. I love your dedication to the period and making what's old, new again. Enjoy...and can't wait to see the rest of the kitchen!

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  14. My goodness, what a lot of excitement you must feel to have "Julia" in your kitchen! SO much work that it took for you to get her to this point, but so much joy too! How wonderful that John helped you with the restoration process. I can only imagine just how heavy it was to move, seeing as the originals used a crane or lift, lol! I am amazed at how much it holds as well! Enjoy your new beauty :)

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  15. Oh my golly, I have never seen or ever heard of anything like that, Rue!

    You are such a unique soul - wow - that is incredible.

    PS - never heard of Pep cereal either, or their Krumblies.

    PPS - going to read your last post to see what you said - I have been big time MIA - just life keeping me off the internet as much as possible - miss blogdom and special bloggers like you. ♥

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  16. Rue- What a GREAT post. I am so impressed that you have re-loved that old fridge. What a perfect addition to your home. It looks brand new in a good way! You guys did a fantastic job. I bet you smile every time you look at her. xo Diana

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  17. Wow, you guys are incredible! I can't even imagine the work that went into restoring that beauty. I love it!!!

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  18. She's a beauty! I love how you research and gather as much information as you can about your finds. She holds more than I would think. Great job. Can't wait to see the rest of the kitchen!

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    1. Thanks, Tina! I went to see if you posted and your blog is gone :(

      xoxo

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  19. It was certainly a chore getting her home. You two did it so well and you made her proud again to grace a kitchen with the fine restoration job done on her. I love it? I like how it's called a G.E. refrigerating machine. I never tire of reading about your adventures and what you have going on. I love hearing about them. Meantime I am sending this piece to my sister who used to talk about our grandmother have machines such as this.
    Happy Sunday
    Betsy

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  20. What an excellent job you two did! She looks beautiful and ready for another 100 years.

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  21. Oh Rue what a wonderful re love of such a great piece of history. It looks so great. You need to send pictures of this piece to G.E. and let them see this restored. You know I never remember seeing that brand of Kellogg's either. I grew up in Michigan near the Kellogg's plant and we went there for field trips all the time to see how they made the cereal. Brings back such great memories. We always got a fruit loop sundae at the end of the tour. Have a great start to the new week.
    Again fabulous re love of this piece.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  22. Wow!! and then more wow again. You and John did a beautiful job. Enjoy her to pieces!

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  23. What a backbreaking project. You guys did I a fantastic job-Julia looks beautiful!

    Melissa

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  24. Girl, Julia is so beautiful! I admire all of the work you guys put into her, well, all the work John did..LOL. So worth it and beautifully restored...very professional! I'm so glad you were able to save her and make her your own! Love and hugs!

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  25. I am amazed that it still works now! Seems that ones like her would be a rarit. Enjoy her.

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  26. It's always so fun to get something like this that you just love.
    My mother in law had one like this when Bill and I married in 1960..an appliance store gave her a brand new fridge in exchange for the old one. She was thrilled to get her new one...the store used the olden one just for display. Did you mention where you found this one?
    come over for a chance to win a great candle....

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  27. OH....I LOVE IT. You guys did an amazing job on restoring her. Great job! I know all that had to be a lot of hard work. Been yrs since I have really redone something but then again, mine was just furniture not a fride! It still working is great. Things you buy these days don't hold up as well as she has....YAY.

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  28. Wow, well done. I think it is great you took the time to research and go for it. Beautiful!

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  29. Oh this is just great!! I love anything PRE 1950 and I SO enjoyed seeing this whole process. She is a beauty!

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  30. That's adorable, and perfect for your home! So the little freezer section on it, does it freeze? Some small refrigerators in Italy don't have a door on the freezer. Did he put a new motor in it?

    We have the vintage looking SMEG. I read the other day that they are coming out with one like mine that will defrost. Well I am assuming. That's what I could make out from my Italian, and the use of modern. It really is not bad, I have to defrost at least once a month, and the freezer has a door, but it is worth the inconvenience for cuteness.

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    1. Oh. I know a place that had an old fashioned washing machine. The owner said it worked. It was about a month ago. I don't know if you want to go that old though. xoxo Su

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    2. Yes, the little freezer section freezes and it's been in place for almost a month and there's no need to defrost yet. But even when it needs it, I'm used to doing it to the other fridge, so no big deal. It's in original condition too with no new motor.

      I do want a wringer washing machine eventually! :)
      xoxo

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  31. Goodness me !
    Well done for all your hard work - it's brilliant.

    All the best Jan

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  32. That is amazing looking, Rue! You two did a beautiful job on Julia...and it is wonderful that you can actually use it, too!

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  33. Wow!!!! Impressive, Rue! It looks gorgeous! Not boring at all!

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  34. That's gorgeous, Rue, wow you did a great job restoring Julia!! That fridge wouldn't be big enough for me, since I'm a serious foodie, but she's super cute in your retro kitchen!

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  36. Wonderful post. Lots of thanks for share your working experience .

    Rajasthan holiday packages

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