![]() “The Space Age kitchen was usually a showcase for gadgets because they were a way for middle class homeowners to show that they were au courant.” “There are certain things about the midcentury kitchen that are decidedly out of step with current faves, particularly the desire to really show off and emphasize technology, which is typically avoided today if possible,” says Sarah Archer, bona fide vintage kitchen expert and author of The Midcentury Kitchen: America’s Favorite Room, from Workspace to Dreamscape. Back to the forefront was the newest technology and appliances-not to be stored away in cupboards but proudly displayed. We were living in the future, and those motifs were all over midcentury kitchens-think blonde wood cabinetry, formica countertops, and chevron-shaped drawer pulls. Some of the more conservative stylings of the 1940s fell away as families were finally able to “live the American dream.” With the advent of space travel, interiors were awash in the midcentury style of the Atomic Age, replete with starbursts, boomerangs, and explosive asterisk patterns. Photo: Tom Kelley Archive/Getty Images 1950s–1960s: Atomic-Era Innovations This kitchen setup is the definition of the Atomic Age. ![]() There was less emphasis on the futuristic chrome, and more organic motifs-like flowers, fruit, and roosters-were seen everywhere from breadbaskets to floor mats. Imparted still was the sleekness of the tiled walls and floors, as well as new appliances like the workhorse Monarch electric oven range and the rounded, lustrous Gibson door refrigerator. While the Art Deco movement was forward-thinking and avant-garde, the 1940s took a decidedly more traditional approach. Cherry red, navy blue, butter yellow, and kelly green all popped against a crisp white background, whether it was on wallpaper or an embroidered tablecloth. Interiors of the ’40s were pared back and minimal-though there was no sparing of sweet decorative flourishes, like gingham-patterned curtains adorning the window above the sink or knickknacks like cookie jars and pottery filling the built-in shelving spaces. Photo: Underwood Archives/Getty Images 1940s: Keep It Simple And Sweet They can be supplemented with candle wall sconces, and mirrored sconces which reflect additional light are a popular choice.Skirted shelves complete quintessential kitchen in the 1940s. Simpler wood-and-iron chandeliers or iron pendant lanterns, with candle-style incandescent bulbs, are more suitable. Some homeowners favor ceiling-mounted chandeliers for their country kitchen lighting, although many of the glitzy pieces sold as “French country” are really too ornate for the label. Wooden or slate floors are a wonderful design touch, and they can be simulated with engineered wood flooring or ceramic tile if desired. Possibilities include hanging copper pots and displaying antique stone vessels on countertops – and don’t forget the flowers, a stable of any country kitchen.įrench country kitchens in the 1700s may not have had center islands like the modern ones we have come to expect, but installing an island gives the space a homey, airy feel and provides the opportunity to feature antiqued woods and hardware in the center of the kitchen. ![]() These can be utilized in various ways, from floors and walls to smaller accessories and knick-knacks. ![]() Materials like brick, copper, stone and slate will bolster the kitchen’s authentic rustic look by creating the appearance that elements have been added over time. Rich fabrics such as linen are often found in French country kitchen décors, and although they are not considered de rigueur, long drapes or tapestries are not uncommon. If accent colors are used, they are likely to be muted, warm colors such as scarlet, mustard or moss green.įrench toile fabrics, defined less by their material and more by their distinct patterns or their depictions of bucolic scenes, farm animals or birds, are the best choice for upholstery, curtains and the like. Accompanying hardware is usually made from (or finished with) bronze, iron or brass, ideally with a dark patina. An aged or weathered look is a plus, and reclaimed wood is always an excellent choice. The wood or wood finishes used in the décor are generally light in color, with natural grains (or simulated grains, in the case of finishes) prominent. Earth tones predominate in the furnishings, cabinetry, wall hangings and accessories, and intricate moldings and scrollwork are commonly seen. The overall appearance of a French country kitchen is elegant but comfortable, without the type of gaudy decoration seen in earlier French styles. ![]()
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