1970s Kitchens from the Past

The Me Decade

Kitchens of the 1970s - ahh, yes. This is what I think of when I recall the 70s. Bright, particularly in the colors of orange, brown and funky yellow. See the foil wallpaper on the ceiling? Guaranteed that will be seen in someone's kitchen soon. Just like the velvet raised style of wallpaper has made a comeback. You're my age if you remember that, as well as all the electrical shocks you received every time you touched it!

A little bit space age mod meets 1970. Designed by Susie Lowenstein, you may need sunglasses while making breakfast. Orange, red, purple, black - showing elements of the 60s and foreshadowing the black high shine of the 80s that are to come.

I see the 80s coming.

This 1970s kitchen was a "recipe for efficiency," according to the House Beautiful editors back then. "Here, architect Charles Mount designed an up-to-the-minute kitchen on an Oriental theme," they wrote. The kitchen also boasted the "latest in appliance and color trends. Almond toned cabinets extend across four walls. Black laminate covers counters. PIpes pull out smoke; black glass doors gleam on refrigerator and dishwasher. For cooking—glass ceramic cooktop and microwave oven."

The Finnish have arrived!

"Famous Finnish design team Armi Ratia created mix-and-match wall coverings in the late 1970s that "blended the best of country charm with contemporary chic," House Beautiful editors wrote more than 28 years ago. Pictured here in 1979 is Kristina Ratia in her Connecticut kitchen. The kitchen is papered in the grid pattern "Arithmetic III," with fabrics to match."

 

 Seeing Red?

"When Mikki Durishin-Williams and her husband Tony began planning their new dream kitchen, they knew exactly what they wanted," House Beautiful wrote of this all-red wonder in 1979. "Above all, it had to be superbly organized—since Mikki is kept very busy running a dance class and a gourmet catering service called The Happy Cooker. The central work island was imperative, HB editors wrote, because it served as a cooktop, workspace, and a casual eating counter. The kitchen also had a mini-office, pantry, and clean-up areas, "visually connected by graphic floor stripes."

Tomorrow, the 1980s.