Let me take you on a little stroll though kitchen design history from the 1930s though the 1950s — with this terrific series of images from Kohler. Vicki Hafenstein of the media relations team at Kohler is really helpful and responsive, and quickly supplied these vintage kitchen photos and illustrations to help with the etsy.com video. She is also hunting some pink bathroom illustrations for my talk in Charlotte. I really appreciate your help, Vicki!
I also wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone that Kohler makes one hudee-rimmed porcelain-on-cast-iron sinks still available today — it would be one of my top two choices for a Retro Renovation kitchen: See this story about the (very similar, it seems) Kohler Delafield and Ceco San Clemente metal-rimmed, porcelain enameled cast iron kitchen sinks.
These first three images show old, farmhouse style sinks. I don’t really understand the design evolution of sinks. I am pretty sure they were all heavy cast iron, because that was the dominant metal-making technology. Honestly, these have kind of a “trough” feel to me, I am guessing they are in fact derived from designs originally used on farms. I need to do more research… The design above shows how the sink was not necessarily integrated with the cabinets.
Here we have a little evolution – the sink at least is tucked along the same wall as the cabinets, and it has legs. Look at the deep bowl, which also has a hinged top.
This looks like a bungalow kitchen. You see further integration of the sink into the cabinetry — a clear line in the evolution of “fitted kitchens.”
I love this illustration, which I am guessing comes from the 40s, I’d say. The way the linoleum (probably) counter is fitted to the sink — with that stainless steel strip — is a giveaway that this is an earlier-postwar-era kitchen. Did you know that Kohler also made steel kitchen cabinets at one point? I am pretty sure these are theirs.
This looks to be the same sink as the one above – without the drainboards. Late 40s and early 50s kitchens were much more likely to have built-in banquettes or dinettes and such. Kind of a carryover from bungalows. As kitchen design progressed, it seems we moved to stand-alone dinettes. Maybe this derives from the fact there could be less craftsmanship as housing construction boomed. Bungalows were part of the “arts and crafts” era — a return to hand-made and craftsmanship in a backlash response to mass industrialization during the Victorian era. With the etsy.com handmade movement today, I think we are seeing a bit of this same sentiment.
The same kitchen, perhaps — but in a real-life installation (as opposed to an illustration).
Same kitchen as above, it appears – with Shirley Temple lookalike. Hey, and notice all the mid-century modern geraniums. 🙂
Ahhhh, notice that the sink has “lost” its integrated backsplash, and it’s set into the laminate countertop with its metal hudee ring. More design evolution. It’s like… monkees losing their tails and becoming… human!
We are into the heart of 1950s kitchens now, I think.
Woah, look at this beauty! Early 50s? Honestly, I don’t cook much, BUT it still seems that I am doing dishes all the time. I would REALLY love to have drainboards like this to the left and to the right. So practical for managing the dishes piling up, going through production, then over to drying.
Like this! Except that today, we compost all of our carrot peelings. Right, people?! Obviously, it’s impossible to say because this is a black-and-white photo, but: That sure looks like a colored sink to me. Let’s guess.
This is one of the two images from my collection of vintage Kohler ads. Gorgeous mid-century kitchen, isn’t it?
And this colonial modern Kohler kitchen (also from my collection) — one of my favorites of all time, truly.
Modern! Can anyone give me a date based on the oven?
Note: Be aware, if you are dealing with vintage, of my 2016 story, Understanding potential lead hazards in old porcelain enamel bathtubs and sinks and ceramic tile of any age — get informed/consult with your own pros so you can make informed decisions.]
You can see all my product finds to design a mid century kitchen over on my Kitchen Categories.
Sara in WA says
You’ve given me a great idea for my Montgomery Wards sink cabinet with double drainboards. We plan in about 2 years to be building a “new” ranch style house behind the old farmhouse and I could use the top from the cabinet and have it refinished in white for the new house. We had a tub refinished for a flip we did and it turned out amazing. I absolutely love the drainboard function as I can set a hot pan on them directly from the stove plus can leave a little dish drainer to the other side for those hand wash items. Note: for us 5’4″ and shorter cooks, a sink that’s too deep can cause a backache. If I need the function of a really deep sink there’s the utility sink around the corner from the kitchen.
Frank says
My favorite is the color photo titled “Beauty and the Best”. This is Madison Avenue at its best. Mom, posed at the kitchen sink in a Doris-Day-like stance, imagining her world is complete in her picture-perfect kitchen, donning pumps and an apron, presumably fixing dinner for Dad who has put in a long day at the office. And then there’s Dad, who as he is lifting little Jane in the air is wondering if the scent of his mistress’s perfume is still lingering on this coat. . . oops sorry, I guess I’ve watching too many episodes of Mad Men.
gavin hastings says
Duh!
After really studying the photo: I think it is a pump…and I have one on my set-tub downstairs next to the washer! It also looks as if hanging though that jungle of pipes….is a cord and electrical outlet.
If the drain of the plumbing was higher than the depth of that deep sink-a pump was needed to push the water up to the height of the drain.
It also seem that there are TWO sink units here. Before automatic washing machines, people reused the wash water for loads of clothing (which is why set-tubs are usually in pairs-one for clean rinse water/one for the soap-y water.
Mark-household garbage diposers didn’t hit the average home until the late 1950’s. Prior to that, there was Trash Day and a few days later, Garbage Day.
gavin hastings says
Mark- I think that the motor looking thing is part of the plumbing. Under just about every drain in America, there is a sort of swan-necked piece of pipe. This holds just enough water to stop sewer gasses from entering the home. The one pictured I think is the older “drum” type: Waste water flows from a drain into the side of this drum, fills this little drum-and escapes into a second pipe placed opposite and a few inches higher. Two or three inches of water always remains “undrained” in this “coffee can” sized drum to seal out the fumes. I have them in my home, 1939.
It might also be a pump….which leads me to Kathy’s question: I really think that the deep, deep sink and lid may have something to do with laundry. Wringer washers came with wheels on the legs for a reason!
Shari D. says
Gavin – Mark was right when he speculated that device was an early model dishwasher, by Kohler, no less. The link here –
http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/inside/kitchen/1920s/gallery/gallery-2011.htm –
and go to Image 12 will take you to a photo/illustration of it being loaded by the soon-to-disappear kitchen maid. The caption reads – “Dishtime drudgery was eliminated by the Kohler electric sink, which functioned in a much smaller footprint than today’s dishwashers but worked essentially the same way.”
Jeff says
What a superb set of photos!
Am having a time deciding what to replace my late model stainless, totally wrong sink with- love the farmer’s sinks with drainboards, but only have 30″ to work with.
Our local salvage yard has farmer’s sinks regularly, but would have to get any of them re-enameled.
Ikea had a farmer’s style sink which has the midmod look- that combined with my new Dishmaster (thanks Pam, for the links!) could do the trick.
Kathy says
Could you tell me what the purpose of the deep bowl with hinge-top seen in the second and third sink images? I tried a quick google search but found little info. Thanks!
Shari D. says
Kathy ~ see the two replies to the questions immediately before yours. That is a late 20’s model “Electric Sink” by Kohler, better known today as a dishwasher. Many of them came equiped with the dishwasher on the one side, and a garbage disposal on the other side. I have collected quite a few vintage publications showing them available then, but more in the post-War era, but they really came out in the 20’s. My guess is that the lingering Great Depression from 1929, followed by the household technology-stunted World War II years, which concentrated all mechanical development, as well as production strictly on War materiel, plus put a screeching halt on all but absolutely necessary home construction, kept them out of homes as new (and rapidly improved) appliances until the late 40s and early 50s. Getting the horrific housing shortage managed with the basics while the WWII vets got themselves college and technology school educations via the new GI Bill, and cashing in those finally-mature War Bonds in the early 50s sent the country on a wild dash into mass consumerism and home improvements, and “move ups.”
Mark says
I might be crazy but I think the two pics of the early sinks, with the covers over one side, those might be early dishwashers.
The first pic that shows the underside, that big black thing might be a motor or possibly a garbage disposal?
On the back splash of those two sinks is a panel could be switches?
I’m guessing here.
Shari D. says
Mark – you’re right. They are early model dishwashers. If you go to this link –
http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/inside/kitchen/1920s/gallery/gallery-2011.htm
and check out the photo of the kitchen maid loading up the dishwasher, you’ll find it’s almost identical to the photo under discussion. The caption of the photo says
“Dishtime drudgery was eliminated by the Kohler electric sink, which functioned in a much smaller footprint than today’s dishwashers but worked essentially the same way.”
So – mystery solved!
Shari D
Shari D. says
The photo I’m referring to is the one on the right hand end of the second row of pictures, image 12.
KC says
Based on the original kitchen cabinetry which was re-used in the garage (to hold the water heater of all things) I believe my 1952 house had a drainboard sink. “Progress” removed it in a 1970’s kitchen renovation, more’s the pity!
midmodms says
I love sinks with built-in drainboards and back-splashes. They are one thing I think was the perfect idea for a kitchen sink. No worries about splashing, mold around the edges, or under plastic drainboards. “Progress” in this case went backward. IMHO of course. 😉
K Elaine says
Me again! I took your pink bathroom pledge yesterday.
Wow, I have always dreamed of having a sink with a drainboard. This new house that my husband and I bought does not have a dishwasher, and I thought, now, this must be why I had an inclination to the drainboard, although I didn’t know at the time what it was called.
Well, thank you, Pam, for all the beautiful pictures and place for me to continue to get excited about moving into my first home. All the possibilities. It’s going to be fun to work on!