1980s Kitchens from the Past

1980s. Scarface. Madonna. Michael Jackson.

The 1980s. The decor of the movie Scarface comes to mind. High black shine, chrome, glitter and lots of curves. A style that is making it's way back into our homes. Can you handle it?

"Inventive seating makes for fun, informal entertaining. Built-in banquettes provide ample room for guests. Slipcovered foam cushions lift off; underneath are plywood lids that provide access to storage space. Featured in the February 1987 issue."

 Window treatments were very clever in all rooms of the home. Swag curtains, wallpaper floral borders and even chintz were the opposite of the high chrome style. "In this room by New York designer Eileen Boyd, a canvas hanging exuberantly painted by artist Francis Greenwood Dearden cleverly doubles as window treatment. Featured in the September 1989 issue."

This could be a modern day kitchen if not for the red and blue colors. A popular combination in homes as well as fashion. Remember the green and pink days too? Ick."A brick floor and glazed tiles on walls give a special shine to the kitchen. To make mealtimes easy, the work island contains drawers, storage bins, open shelves and a sink. Featured in the September 1980 issue."

 Classic black and white. Lots of shine. You can see your reflection in the counter tops - I imagine a Windex nightmare! "This kitchen was part of the House Beautiful Best Small House in 1984. "The room is crisply contemporary," summed up the magazine."

I hope you have enjoyed this stroll through vintage kitchens. Perhaps it has inspired you to cook something retro? I have an old casserole book I just might dig up. Bon apetit!

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.

Kitchens from the Past Part 2

 Continuing our retro kitchen journey, here are some 1960s kitchens. Again, note how many features are incorporated into modern day kitchens - sometimes it's hard to tell that these are 40 years old!

"This kitchen was deliberately planned as an entertaining center. It makes the most of the modern, and easy-to-clean technology (at least for that time). Necessary work areas disappear behind folding doors for easy clean-up and entertaining. Featured in the February 1962 issue."

 Entertaining was a large part of the 1960s household. This one is so cozy, your guests may never leave! I just love this.

This large kitchen has a refreshing warmth and graciousness that is characteristic of the entire house. The island divides the room into work centers with a sitting room at the far end. Featured in the October 1961 issue.

 A classic case of new borrowing from the old. Wood cabinets are everywhere again in modern kitchens, accented with stainless steel appliances. 

 Modern miniatures for prefab homes.

A spruced-up, tiny prefab on a narrow lot was the home of this little kitchen in 1961. The kitchen gave the impression of being much bigger, according to House Beautiful's editors. "One important reason is that the cabinets have been raised so that the eye sees the continuation of the floor to the back wall," they wrote. The kitchen had an oven, but no surface cooking units — only "portable, thermostatically controlled appliances stored in large drawers and brought out for use."

Tomorrow, 1970s kitchens.

Kitchens from the Past

Flipping through the House Beautiful magazine, there were some fantastic photos of vintage kitchens. Being someone who loves to cook, any one of these would be a dream kitchen to me. Yes, even the solid aqua ones from the 50s.

While the magazine specifically said they were vintage kitchens, some were so retro they looked modern. This is the wonderful world of vintage. If one waits long enough, the style is back.

Over the next few days, you will see some fantastic kitchens. Note how several look as if they were built today! All images courtesy of House Beautiful.

1950s white kitchen with yellow accents.

This kitchen might not look contemporary today, but in 1950 it was ahead of its time — so much so that House Beautiful chose it as one of three "pace-setting" kitchens of the year. "When you can get a complete kitchen, laundry, and a place to eat into a space only about 12' square, it's a real achievement," the editors gushed. The kitchen boasted a cooking range bisected by a work counter, a hooded ventilator and grille to control cooking steam, odors, and grease built into the wall cabinets, and a washer and dryer in their own corner.

Touted in the 50s  as the kitchen to "reduce drudgery".

"It's American to pamper our women — to lighten their workload and reduce their drudgery," House Beautiful editors wrote in 1950. "Here's a new line of kitchen cabinets that pamper through efficiency." The magazine praised the complete baking unit, beverage center, pots-and-pans cupboard, and sandwich unit, designed by Michael Hallward, saying, "His practical analysis of what today's housewife demands in greater convenience has been translated by Frank C. Snedaker & Company into these 'Glamour Kitchens.'"

Architectural details reminiscent of today!

"Featured in the February 1957 issue, this easily maintained kitchen has enameled steel cabinets with stainless steel counters, which blend beautifully with the warm quality of wood and plaster surfaces throughout the house. The custom-designed smoke hood over the cooking-top and barbecue is appropriately architectural."

 Islands are not just a modern idea!

"The cooking counter in this kitchen works from the other side as an eating bar. The refrigerator niche in the brick wall is neatly closed in across the top with cabinets, making one move do the work of two. Featured in the June 1953 issue."

Tomorrow, the 1960s.

What Happened to the Jello?

 Photo courtesy Veilles_annonces, Flickr

 Recently the Emily Post Institute was talking about the tradition of the Sunday dinner.  Back in the day, nuclear families used to trek to the grandparents’ homes for traditional Sunday dinners.  It was a time for all the generations to be together and share in the events of the past week.  It was a time of bonding and the joys of breaking bread as a family.   Sometimes there would be a game on the television to watch after the meal, or just a rousing round of board games.  This predominantly western tradition seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle of our 21^st century lives.  Face to face contact is no longer the preferred method of communication.  Now the credo is “have Blackberry will travel”.  We have instant messaging and plenty of instant foods available to us so why spend the time and effort to organize a grand family meal except at holiday times?

As we’ve disconnected physically from each other opting for technology to be our messaging medium, we’ve also disconnected from invaluable bonding time with extended family.  Grandparents seem to have lesser roles in today’s society.  Simple, wholesome foods like a good roast and Jello desserts have been forgotten.  Remember those cute kids in the old commercials excitedly promoting the fun and delicious qualities of J-E-L-L-O!

My in-laws still try to have those Sunday dinners but busy schedules always seem to get in the way of everyone being together.  Do we miss it?  Should we miss it?

Here are some kitchen aids if or when you are planning your next 'Sunday Dinner'. All now available. 

Make your baking perfect with this 

Vintage 70s Kitchen Scale

Serve dinner on time! Vintage Telechron 1954 Wall Clock

Flour, tea and coffee. Keep them all tidy in these vintage daisy canisters.

Vintage aprons for the ladies...and gents! Why not?

Black & Pink Cotton Apron...okay, this can be for the ladies.

 

WINNER!

Congratulations to Pam over at GO RETRO!

She won the Le Crueset blueberry casserole. It's on it's way Pam :-)

She has a great blog too, head over to GO RETRO and offer your congratulations.

I'm on a bit of a vintage kitchen kick. The stunning color of these vintage sherbert glasses make me dream of a hot summer evening, just after a family barbecue. Sitting under my grape vines in the backyard, I share these with you!

Le Crueset Contest is Over :-(

Hi all!

Just a quick note to mention the contest is now closed for the great Le Crueset blueberry casserole. I will choose a winner today!

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest, it was great to see all the comments!

Today's pick is from ebay and the contest was a perfect segue for vintage kitchenware. This Homer Laughlin Fiesta ware casserole with lid is in a perfectly retro high-glazed rose shade. Now available!

Wouldn't this look great next to the Le Crueset blueberry casserole? Is it me or are we getting hungry?