As we like to say here, “There’s more than one way to retro.” This circa-1974 St. Charles Kitchens catalog — just added to my personal collection — proves it, yet again. St. Charles trots out their interior design experts and shows one harvest gold kitchen … decorated in six different styles of the day. From Early American to Mediterranean to 70s Contemporary — and more — they show us how to get our 70s style cookin’.
1. 1970s country style kitchen:
Use checkboard wallpaper, delft backsplash tile and butcher block cabinets to create a Dutch “Country Charm” kitchen.
- Viewing tip: Click on the photos – they will double in size on screen.
2. Contemporary 1970s style kitchen:
Dig the stainless steel backsplash and appliances, the woven wood shade, smoked glass table and oh my, the fabulous floor in this kitchen that St. Charles anointed “Contemporary Sophistication.”
- Note: There is no date anywhere on my catalog. I’m guestimating 1974 based on… the clothing.
3. 1970s Early American kitchen:
There’s an ox yoke in one of the other photos that goes with this kitchen design. Did I ever mention: I have an ox yoke. It has a mirror in it. It came from Grandpa. I think he made it. From an old implement used on the farm. Shoot me. I am sure I will never be able to throw it out. St. Charles officially called the style “American Heritage.”
4. 1970s flower power kitchen:
Of course, the flower power kitchen is my favorite. The cabinetry in this design is painted Dover White, St. Charles says. The design is “The Now Look.”
Note: Harvest Gold was introduced to kitchen appliances in Spring 1968. It was one of the longest enduring color trends — popular through at least 1984. Above: Other colors available from St. Charles this year. And YO: The cabinets are textured steel, “St. Charles DURALON finish” with a “soft-to-the-touch feeling of fine-grained leather.” Why did steel kitchen cabinets introduce texture to their cabinetry? I hypothesize: To better mask fingerprints and better hide dings. There also may have been a desire to make them appear more organic, less… antiseptic. I’ve also talked about steel cabinet maker’s introduction of wood door fronts, too.
- See my History of Steel Kitchen Cabinets — 70+ designs identified so far!
5. 1970s Mediterranean style kitchen:
And of course, we have the “Spanish Villa,” or as we have been known to call it, the “Casa de Torquemada” kitchen style. Ya gotta love the creativity.
6. 1970s Asian style kitchen:
I feel like this “Oriental Influence” kitchen concept is something you’d have seen in Florida. Don’t forget the electric wok!
C. Leen says
Love the Contemporary and the Flower Power!
Gracie Manasco says
I’ll take the Early American please… love the fake brick behind the stove… I’ll be putting up fake brick behind my 1952 Tappan range later this year!
Jonny says
Considering the 70’s is not the era I’m typically shooting for, I’m surprised by how many elements of these that I like. I could see a mix of #2 and #4 looking good in my house.
Susie Q. says
I especially like 2, 3, and 5. Our house was all about #3 when I was growing up! What’s interesting to me in these photos is how the linoleum is used as a toe kick (weird) and how the ceilings are treated differently. #3 and #5 have the most beautiful ceilings.
Kyle68 says
I remember my mom saving up ideas to do a “colonial blue” and harvest gold kitchen. Was that a common color combination in the late 70s?
Jay says
I purchased my 50s modest ranch from a widow who she and her late husband bought in 78. She told me they painted out dark green, salmon and yellow walls. When the kitchen trimwork gets chipped, I can see traces of the colors. They did keep the green fridge and floor which looked very much like # 5 Mediterranian except dark green, orange and yellow. No, I didn’t keep it when I moved in – way too busy for the small kitchen.
I liked seeing how each kitchen as fitted out with accessories and lighting. Interesting how the backsplash alternated between stainless and patterns.
Cynthia says
Forgot to add, I had an electric wok the same orange-red color as in the Asian kitchen. A wedding gift. Loved it, used it all the time – it outlasted the marriage and was lots more fun than he was!
Cynthia says
Love the color and love all the designs! My Faves are the contemporary, the flower power and the Asian. Memories of 1970s: my mother’s South Florida kitchen (1973) had white slab cabinets in the new “white wood grain” laminate. Harvest gold appliances and fixtures. Yellow laminate counters with an inset of large Italian tiles in white/gold/green pattern (for setting down hot pots and pans without scorching the counter). White walls and harvest gold linoleum tiles. Cheerful.
linda h says
It was about 1982 when I saw my first electric wok when we had dinner at our friends’ house for dinner. In the seventies I would have wanted an avocado green mediterranean kitchen.
linda h says
Oops!a little redundant in the dinner department.
Steve H says
1 and 3 certainly look like vinyl floors, but I’m wondering if perhaps some of the others could in fact be kitchen carpeting. That’s one trend that I don’t think should ever be revived.
Robin, NV says
I have to agree with you on the kitchen carpet thing. My house had it when I bought it and it was instantly at the top of my list for removal. Anything spilled on it was there to stay. The spot in front of the coffee pot was perpetually stained. I can kind of see the appeal though. It was warm in the winter and dishes and glassware dropped on it tended to not break. My grandmother had it in her house and loved it, so it has its fans. But in the end, it just wasn’t my thing.