IT’S TIME FOR ANOTHER INSTALLMENT of a vintage Armstrong interior from my large collection of Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn, Inc. advertising comps. This one: a small, very efficiently designed 1954 yellow kitchen. And the cabinet style shows that authentic retro doesn’t have to be all radius-edge slabs — this is an important reference / proof for even me! In fact, except for the floor and appliances, this kitchen could have been put in place by a designer today… I’m guessing that in 1954 this would have been considered a formal Early American kitchen…today it would be called “country” not particularly “retro.” The kitchen also shows how careful use of accent colors – white, black, red – can make such a difference. Not too much, not little, just right.
Note how the stove is built into the backsplash. What about that wonderful looking washing machine tucked into the adjacent laundry room – with a box of Lux! And don’t miss the baby’s high chair with its little stuffed toy in the left/foreground. My goodness this photo was well staged.
If you’re new to the blog – know that there are two great Armstrong books full of great vintage interiors to ogle and learn from…our anointed retro renovation “bibles” :
- Inspiring Interiors from Armstrong 1950s (affiliate link)
- and Interior Solutions from Armstrong the 1960s. (affiliate link)
scurl says
that washing machine is a bendix duomatic! i VERY nearly had one…i still think about what could’ve been every once in awhile…sniff..
pam kueber says
A Bendix Duomatic! Now I want one too!
sablemable says
Lovely kitchen! Although I can’t change the flooring in my kitchen, I am decorating in yellow with some red.
Juju says
*swoon*
So cute!
Side note: I totally want my washer in the kitchen!
Maria Stahl says
I like that office setup on the end of the counter. Check that black wall phone! I need one of those!!
Best thing about this whole kitchen? That flooring. Wow.