original period built-ins PERMANENT FURNITURE FOR EVERY ERA

Bookcases and buffets, inglenooks and china cabinets, window benches & more: original builtin furniture from any period inspires new work today.

- PATRICIA POORE

ARTS & CRAFTS

Never was built-in furniture more visible than ca. 1900-1930, the era of the bungalow. Space savers turned up in every room of tiny bungalows. Very fine cabinetwork was built into more exalted houses, especially in the dining room.

Immovable built-ins are part of the architecture, contributing to the look of the house as much as the staircase or mantel does. They take up less space than standard furniture, especially if they are recessed into walls. They don't need to be moved during cleaning. Built-in furniture is ideal for a small home, whether it's a period bungalow or today's tiny house. Built-ins also serve the modern desire for uncluttered interiors. The idea is not new. We find built-ins in every era and house style. Some are simple or traditional, some drip with design and craftsmanship, and some are a little nutty. Here we look at a few originals. 

BUILT-INS for dining

Impressive built-ins evolved from backless, shallow cupboards that stood in Colonial keeping rooms. In the 18th century, the cupboard moved to the parlor used for dining, to become the renowned corner cabinet of the Georgian and Federal periods. These featured fine millwork and carving and most often had display shelves over closed storage. The Victorian era saw built-in, glazed china cabinets matching the fine hardwood used for trim-this in addition to a fully fitted-out butler's pantry connecting the kitchen to the dining room. The heyday of the dining room built-in was arguably ca. 1900-1930, when Arts & Crafts Bungalows, American Foursquares, and Tudors often featured a massive built-in buffet or sideboard, complete with linen drawers, display cabinets, counter space, and a mirror. The sideboard might even incorporate a specially shaped radiator that doubled as a plate warmer. Bench seats, too, often are built into dining rooms.