When renovating my kitchen I focused on it looking old world while offering efficiency. It helped that I have a wide open space to serve as my kitchen. I love open kitchen shelving and the old fashioned cast iron sinks that were popular up to the mid 20th century. Having an old style kitchen also brings back memories for me. Growing up in Brooklyn our kitchen was very typical for that time. The kitchen sink had a shallow side and a deep side. My mother used to wash my hair in the deep side. I remember the metal cabinets and the built in wood cupboards. Our apartment even had a dumbwaiter, but it had long ago stopped being used so it was painted shut.
Not everything about the good old days were good though. I would not trade in a frost free refrigerator for what we had back in the day.
I really love these old world kitchens. I just love the simplicty of them. Notice the built in ice box in the image below.
These are fabulous retro kitchens that contain wonderful colors and lots of welcoming warmth.
Farmhouse style kitchens:
Now this is really going back in time, but it love these kitchens.
Here are two photos of my own kitchen. I love spending time in my kitchen.
Not everything about the good old days were good though. I would not trade in a frost free refrigerator for what we had back in the day.
This kitchen photo is from 1957.
These are fabulous retro kitchens that contain wonderful colors and lots of welcoming warmth.
Farmhouse style kitchens:
The doorway to the left leads into my dining room.
8 comments:
What a beautiful, fun selection of kitchens. I really couldn't pick a favourite!
I looove your kitchen!!!
I know what you mean. It is hard to pick a favorite. All of them are warm and welcoming.
Thank you! I always wanted a big old fashioned kitchen. It is a pleasure to be in there cooking or baking. There is actually a fireplace in it that I desire so much to get working. It would be so great to have it during the winter months.
I love many of your vintage kitchens. This is a great collection of images, I have found that many images available for vintage kitchens come from old advertisements which don't really reflect the real kitchens of the era just the idealized wish list version. Just as Better Homes and Gardens doesn't accurately reflect my kitchen. Thank you again for putting this collection together.
A great source of even more vintage kitchens is Jane Powell's book Bungalow Kitchens, don't let the title fool you, many of these old kitchens are period kitchens from the 1900 to the 1950's found in a variety of home styles not just bungalows. She gives you lots of images and detailed information. This is a great book for anyone who wants to put a period style kitchen in their house. The kitchens are simple, utilitarian and won't go out of style, tenant proof for certain. I rented apartments in the 1990's with these type of kitchens from the 1920's and they were attractive and very practical. A fabulous resource with lots of details and great resources.
I agree completely about not wanting to go without a frost free refrigerator. I would also add to that list the toe kick area under a cabinet. The toe kick enables getting up close to the counter and eliminates backaches. While I love the look of base cabinets without toe kicks and would keep them if it was a true vintage kitchen and use a large table for food prep as they did back in the time. If I was building a new vintage style kitchen it would have toe kicks.
I had to look up toe kicks on Google because I had no idea what you were talking about. I see what you mean and I have to agree that toe kicks are a great idea. Thank you for stopping by.
Thank you for the book recommendation. I will definitely check it out.
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