In the grand scheme of things, I like my little “grandma house” built in the 1920′s. My family tells me that it it is cozy and welcoming. At times, though, the kitchen can be a bit of an adventure because of the layout. For example, along the way someone installed a dishwasher that took away a vital cabinet and drawers leaving me with little storage space under the counter.
I grew up in a mid-century San Fernando Valley suburban house. By today’s granite counter-top and restaurant range standards, the kitchen in that house would be considered woefully out of date. To me, however, those mid-century kitchens are heavenly! It breaks my heart whenever I read a real estate ad for mid-century homes that indicate that the kitchen has been “updated.” The update usually means that the kitchen no longer matches the spirit of the house. Give me a Formica counter any day!
This little gem is from 1955 was produced by America’s Homebuilders. You might recognize a few faces in it! I love how features we take for granted today were considered amazing features in 1955. Enjoy!
Click here to watch the video. For some reason, the video player is not embedding correctly and the player is coming out huge and the video is teeny-tiny. It is still worth a look-see!
I so agree with you. Sometimes I watch tv shows on HGTV and they walk into fabulous 50′s bathrooms with amazing tile and I hear the words, gut it…over and over…. and I’m just sick. And if a kitchen isnt stainless its considered dated and unacceptable.
so sad.
Just found your blog.
Tracy
I’m old enough to remember when those modern trends began to be advertised. My parents didn’t buy in until 1962. Then they remodeled the red-and-white kitchen of an earlier era, adding a dishwasher, stainless steal sinks, Formica countertops, a range top and two built-in ovens. Whereas the washing machine had been in the kitchen, the laundry operation was moved to the basement and we had our first dryer.
So — admitting that the opulence of today’s trophy kitchens is “over the top,” what would be your ideal kitchen?
[...] response to my post “A Word to the Wives,” Kathy asks me to describe my ideal kitchen. The first image that popped into my head is [...]