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Lab cabinets for kitchen

12 years ago

Has anybody used lab cabinets for their kitchen?

I am talking the oak cabinets (some glass front some solid front). Usually with a soapstone or black resin countertop.

I have always loved these (I worked in a college bio lab and taught some). I have never seen them used (would love to get my hands on that!) but I have started to look for them new.

Has anyone got any experience with this? Is there a better manufacturer? Not being able to actually look at the product before buying it makes me nervous.

Thanks!

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Comments (7)

annachosaknj6b
12 years ago
I think it would look awesome! I work in a high school and many times walking past the labs I would glance in and think "Those would look great in a kitchen...."

Can't be much help on sources, sorry. Maybe a school supply catalog or see if you can find a local custom cabinetmaker? I do think that upper doors that open out rather than slide past each other would be more practical.
mama goose_gw zn6OH
12 years ago
My kitchen, when finished, will have two 10' runs of cabinets that were salvaged from an old school. I don't know if they came from a science lab, home-ec kitchen, etc., but there was residue from labels on the shelves. They aren't oak--more like cherry-stained yellow pine, but I'm painting them off-white. The one run that has been completed has a black marble top.

Elsewhere in the kitchen, I plan to use epoxy resin tops from lab tables salvaged from another old school. All the salvaged materials were found on craigslist for ap. a tenth the cost of new materials.

I love oak--I think that style of cabinet would look great in a kitchen.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vintage school cabinet
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mama goose_gw zn6OH
12 years ago
Found this today on ebay--it would make a nice worktable/island in a kitchen with oak lab cabinets:

AD: An oak or maple lab table with a black top in very good used condition. This table has two front pocket drawers to slide in your papers or tablets. There are four square oak/ maple legs. This can be used for a flat screen TV stand, student desk or kitchen center island table. Measures a large 48" long,x 24"w 30" h. This is one of ten we have to offer. Heavy and can ship GPX to th closest Greyhound bus station. 100 lbs+. There will be wear from age and school house use.

Here is a link that might be useful: ebay link for used lab table
dee850
12 years ago
I'm a scientist and had a lab renovation a couple of years ago. All the new options that we were given at my institution were very plain and modern slab door style, much like the Ikea Nexus birch door, with metal cases. If that's what you're looking for, I can probably get some info and recommendations from the guy who ran our lab reno. But I don't know of any place where you can get the classic all-wood style new, if that's what you're after. That's the sort I'd want in my own kitchen. I'd love to hear if you find a supplier for those!
User
12 years ago
They certainly have a cool factor, but I think that new would be a lot more costly than using plain cabinets designed for a kitchen. The vintage ones are pretty costly too. It's the in between "used" ones where you can find some deals if you are in the location that's getting rid of them. I found one locally that I put casters on and my sis uses it as a small island. You can find Trespa or soapstone tops for that chem lab look with your kitchen cabinets and use a lot of glass also.
boxerpups
12 years ago
University of Chicago Science Labratory cabinets
recycled into a kitchen
dietitian
12 years ago
I am soooo interested in Trespa countertops. I hear the price is pretty reasonable. I am going to order samples. I want to do the white color, so I really do need to see it. But, if it is as durable as it is supposed to be, it could really be the perfect material!!!!

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