My point is this: If we're spending most of our at-home time in the kitchen area, then that space needs to be representative of who we are, how we live and what we expect it to accomplish for us. There are innumerable kitchen options in finishes, colors, countertops, cabinet styles, appliances and on and on, so there's no reason your kitchen can't be functional while still reflecting personality and attitude.
This week I want to focus on some great ideas for a Retro or Vintage style kitchen. This style is not a rigid traditional style and leaves room for greater artistic license so open your hearts to the unexpected.
This is the dine-in area and keeping room of my own kitchen. We love interesting finishes and mid-century elements and fell in love with this old laminate table and chairs in pale aqua. We added small 1950's accents with aqua lamps and an old clock and then contrasted with more contemporary leather chairs and barstools in dark brown finish. The bar-height counter is concrete with flecks of glass in the same aqua color. Cabinets were hand painted in a Japanese lacquer technique with a very high gloss finish in a subtle Taupe with off-white rubb-off
I love what this homeowner accomplished in a very small apartment-size kitchen. If the old metal cabinets are in decent shape, I would opt to keep them! And a butcher block countertop is always in fashion! The 1950's style refrigerators can be purchased new these days. Check out www.elmirastoveworks.com or www.bigchillfridge.com. If you're a fan of Rachel Ray you'll see Big Chill Fridge used in her studio kitchen.
Open shelving is a very strong vintage component and often the only way to create storage in small spaces. Don't forget to consider faucetry that follows the theme like this farmhouse faucet with porcelain accents.
How much fun is this?!?! Check out that giant farmhouse sink! And who doesn't wish they had the nerve to do red painted cabinetry? Glass cabine doors are a nice touch and with a vintage kitchen, you have permission to keep the shelves a little messy. Black and white checked floors highlight the cabinetry. Introducing the rustic farm table and rush-seated spool chairs is a nice touch and shows that someone put some time and thought into selecting each piece.
Pink!!!!! Ok, that stove may or may not be operational, but even if it doesn't cook, it is comfortably at home in this kitchen. It sets the tone of the space and can be used for storage. Notice the use of the butcher block countertop again. And how about those wonderful horizontal wide plank walls?!?
OK, we don't all have the bones of an old farmhouse to work with; wide plank painted floors, exposed floor joists in the ceiling above, but we can still create the look. First notice the cabinet finish: white washed with rub-off areas give an immediate sense of age. The central island is an old work table with what appears to be the original rustic wood top. Very creative way to opt out of a traditional fabricated island. Again with the butcher block countertops, farmhouse sink and farm faucets. White gloss subway tiles for the backsplash are a throwback to the 1950's. And notice the mix of open shelving above and even below countertops. The look of that old stove is not out of the question either; take a look at www.aga-ranges.com for cast iron cooking in brightly colored enamel cookers and ranges.
This kitchen has the feel of vintage with a sprinkling of modern. LOVE the black and white parquetry floors and the black subway tile - WITH WHITE CAULK!! The white cabinets are very simple in the vintage-style with open shelving and create a nice visual contrast. But then take a look at that fabulous hood and the almost industrial-style light fixtures. I love contrast whether in color or style and this really works! Another thing to mention is the rustic wood bench. It's always nice to add some warm rustic wood tones in a retro/vintage style space.
I had to show this space because it really captures the essence of the old general store. Copper ceilings, zinc countertops, cup-style cabinet hardware and a vintage stove. It's very important to consider simplicity in cabinet style and design when working with a retro/vintage kitchen. You won't find the elaborate trims and moldings because this style is based on a much simpler lifestyle and time.
I like this kitchen because it successfully combines some fairly traditional elements with bold colors, mismatched cabinetry, 1950's components, and farmhouse details. See? Artistic license applied!
This is someone with a great sense of creativity and an appreciation for the unconventional. And it just feels good! The countertop appears to be a big slab of stone! The plate storage looks like a pallet of some sort adapted for wall display. The under counter doors are obviously mismatched pieces of old rustic wood. But get a load of the contemporary molded plastic chairs. Again . . . .I love the contrast. It just works!
2 comments:
Even though field tiles can be mere cents a piece, the specialty tiles can be several dollars a piece. Keep in mind also that some people may not like the idea of kitchen countertops because any glass that may happen to fall on them will most assuredly break.
The countertop looks like it's made from concrete. Nice!
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