Those of us who are old enough to remember the original “Hollywood Squares” TV show will remember one of the funniest persons that ever graced a stage, Paul Lynde. Lynde, who spoke with an affected manner and flamboyant style was famous for his quick and sometimes cutting wit. When asked one day to veriiy the quote “if a woman keeps a dress long enough that eventually it will come back in style”, Lynde answered “I hope so because I never throw anything away”. Well home styles and especially kitchens are beginning to take on the same philosophy. The 50’s look of the space age modernism and bright colors gave way to Mediterranean style with its dark wood and avocado appliances and then to bright white, clean flat formica surfaces of the 80’s and finally to the most recent trend to hard surfaces and stainless steel finished off with the industrial kitchen look. Now I read over the weekend that the 50’s look is coming back. I guess it should be no surprise for those of us who are fans of Rachael Ray. Her stage kitchens both in her 30 Minute Meal program for the Food Network and her daily syndicated show have long featured remakes of old appliances in bright colors, a kitchen, where the bright aqua cabinetry and orange countertops set the tone for the 50s-style décor and an orange modern version of the old kitchen stove and an aqua blue refrigerator that looks just like the one we had in my family home when I was growing up but when its opened its appears to be a modern appliance with an old shell on it.
Maybe it's the cheery enameled surfaces, or the not-quite-angular shapes, but retro-inspired kitchens suddenly feel fresh again. But too much of this style could be overkill. The trick is keeping things modern when creating a retro-inspired kitchen. Try using a simple backdrop like white subway tile and adding color in the cabinetry or in one major appliance, like a refrigerator or stove. Or, if remodeling the kitchen just isn't in the budget, there's plenty of fun accessories that will help you get the look. Remember, you don't want anyone thinking they stepped into The Waffle House! Your vintage-style kitchen should look and feel like it lives in the 21st century. There is a vast selection of retro small countertop appliances. I have a red Kitchen Aid mixer that takes a prominent place on my kitchen counter and my friends, Mike and Dianne, have a funky 4 slice toaster that looks as if it were straight out of the 1940’s.
Appliances and cabinets aren’t the only things that are changing to the retro look. One of the hottest new things for the modern kitchen is the “farm or apron style sink”. Once thought of as heavy and of taking up badly needed cabinet space, the farm sink has now become to the modern kitchen what the Mercedes is to your garage and just about as expensive. These sinks come in stainless steel, porcelain finishes and even hand pounded copper. NBS has a complete selection of over 3000 choices priced from $500 to over $3000. Check the website at
http://www.nationalbuildersupply.com/Results.aspx?dsNav=N:140
You can also find a full line of faucets that range from the old wall mounted fixtures to the modern Zen waterfall look. These too can add a retro look to your kitchen without changing the major look or by denting the pocket book too badly.
Frankly as much as I am a child of the 50’s and like looking at the old styles which bring back warm memories of my childhood I have no desire to go back to that look in my kitchen and I’m afraid that this is one of those trends whose live span will barely surpass that of the pet rock. After spending a fortune in 2006 completely redoing my kitchen with granite countertops, pine floors, stainless steel appliances and a commercial range hood I have no intention of advocating an orange refrigerator for myself nor anyone else, and frankly if nothing else I’m praying that Mediterranean doesn’t come back.
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