Quickly after World War II ended, Americans plowed right into making a wonderful new life for themselves – starting with building their dream kitchens, dream bathrooms – dream houses. Looking at periodicals from 1946, I can see a few distinct trends – this was a transitional period…you still see many Deco influences…you see a lot of primary colors…and definitely, interiors were “sweet”, although in ’46 homeowners certainly would have declared them “modern.” Read on for ideas from each of six great interiors, including a bathroom, two living rooms and a bedroom. 1946 was a very good year!
Tips from the first kitchen image — isn’t the “life through a Pyrex pie plate” awesome?:
- This color combination: Dark cherry red linoleum countertops, primary green linoleum floor, white metal (or wood cabinets) with deco pulls seems to have been very, very common.
- In this image, you also see a light chartreuse green on the wall – this, or yellow, also seem to have been popular secondary colors.
- And flowered fabrics… These kitchens are pure prettiness. Image: Pyrex, of course.
Isn’t this Briggs Beautyware bathroom just gorgeous. To be sure, there is a lot going on. Observations:
- Great color combination: beige – almost salmon tile, light baby blue (ala today’s “spa blue”), brown linoleum floor. The darker floor in both this image and the kitchen above “anchor” the rooms.
- Very ’40s: the fringy rug in front of the tub, striped and monogrammed towels, chenille-scalloped rug in front of the sink, tufted dressing chairs, and all the Carrera glass (used instead of tile on the walls).
- Last time I checked, today’s linoleum is not recommended for bathrooms – but if you are dedicated to keeping standing water off the floor – or want to use it in a 1/2 bath, go for it.
- Notice the full length mirror behind the dressing table at the far right.
- That full length drape – and of course, the glass block – both add to the luxe feel. Image: Briggs Plumbing.
- Blonde wood – similar to Heywood-Wakefield’s classic champagne (I believe) finish. This room definitely has a primary color feel.
- The lampshade: I’d call that “40s”…”waxed foil”?
- The patterned rug – definitely promoted heavily in the 40s.(You can see it in my header!)
- The built-in couch … a continuation straight of of 20s and 30s moderne designs
- Oh my gosh, oh so ’40s: lavendar walls, emerald green floors. Combining these “secondary” colors of the color wheel is always on the “recommended” lists that were so common during this period.
- Chintz draperies – scalloped valance
- Notice the Staffordshire dogs on the mantel – very classic.
- Not a ton of furniture in 40s interiors. (Today, our interiors are way jammed compared with the immediate postwar period.)
- Note the style of the deco club chairs. And, there’s a colonial wing chair in the foreground. Image: American Home.
- Here’s the purple/green color combo again.
- I’m calling the bedding: dove gray, although it’s hard to tell from this image.
- The wallpaper – very sweet, simple…and combined with the chintz curtains and scalloped valance (again…) even more so. Note: I’ve found some not-too-expensive wallpaper in this vein and will feature it soon. Image: American Home.
- Cabbage rose chintz pinch pleats with frilly undercurtains. American Home.
Remember this palette? It’s from the Church toilet seat company – and it captures the 40 palette very will indeed. Happy decorating all you owners of 40s homes… Jason K…Carleton Heights Girl… Neil.. and more! Ad: Church Plumbing.
Carleton Heights Girl says
Thanks, Pam! I’m going to go for it, then. 🙂
Carleton Heights Girl says
Thank you Pam and Rikki! Like retropink57, I absolutely LOVE the black, white, grey and maroon colour palette shown in Rikki’s link. I’m going to try to go for that look for the kitchen restoration later this summer. Lots of inspiration here!
Growing up in this house, I do remember the kitchen looking very similar to the one in the Pyrex ad (minus the dark green floor), but I’m not too fond of the chartreuse walls.
I’m still not certain if an Elkay stainless steel sink/countertop/drainboard would fit in with this look. Although I love the look of cast iron enamel sinks, I really like the sheer practicality of the stainless steel Elkay unit. Is stainless steel appropriate to the immediate postwar period? What do you think?
Pam Kueber says
Carleton Heights Girl, I think that stainless steel sink and drainboard combos are just fine. This ad is from 1953: https://retrorenovation.com/2007/12/01/stainless-steel-sink-counter-drainboard-combos-are-classic-40s-50s-60s-retro-kitchen-choices/
Femme1 says
I just happen to be watching “The Best Years of Our Lives” tonight, and if you want to see some great late 40s interiors, check it out. Besides, it’s one of the greatest movies of all time.
Mid Mod Pam says
Femme1, thanks for the tip. It’s on my radar to start a whole page on Movie inspiration. Sometime soon….
retropink57 says
Rikki –
I LOVE that kitchen…that is exactly what I want!! The linoleum pattern is awesome as well as the color scheme. It’s perfect…thank you for sending it my way!
Pam –
Great post! What about the red-violet and the concrete marmoleum in the pattern that Rikki suggested from the 1947 kitchen? I also liked the creamy white marmo with the dark splotchy streaks.
Rikki says
retropink57 — check around for a company that specializes in linoleum and tell them what you want to do. They should be able to help with the particulars. I think the border should be wide (12-16 inches) with a 1 or 2 inch liner. It will depend on the overall size of your kitchen. Work it out on paper in advance so you can show them.
I tried embedding a link to an image that I thought might be helpful but I don’t think it took it. So here goes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10197266@N05/2668948064/in/set-72157606545879111/ .
I found it a while back. It’s a Crane plumbing ad. I want that kitchen. I love it.
Rikki
Maureen says
I just got our vintage laundry sink refinished. I was forewarned to be more careful with it than the original sink as its refinished finish is more fragile. When we were trying to confirm that it would fit into its vanity, it chipped easily in two areas which were repaired by the refinisher despite I was told it wasn’t under warranty. Altho it currently looks great, it is what it is: a laundry sink which isn’t subject to much public scrutiny. I am ready for its inevitable dings.
Julie Rogers says
Sigh. I want that kitchen. We’ve been trying to figure out exactly what to do with the kitchen. Now I know: That Pyrex pic.
Sure, it’s a decade early, but time to throw caution to the wind. Red counters and green Marmoleum, here I come!
Jen8 says
Red linoleum—I have it still behind the refrigerator, but someone already replaced the countertops with white. The red is very deeply shaded kind of marbled with white. Bet it looked nice back when the wood cabinets were painted light pink and there was wallpaper with birdcages and pink plum blossom branches.
retropink57 says
Pam –
The thought to keep the original countertop never entered my mind but now that you mention it, it’s a great idea! It’s certainly showing its age and has a few rough spots here and there but there isn’t anything a strategically-placed dish towel wouldn’t fix.
I guess the main reason I had for thinking I needed a new countertop is because the countertop would have to be removed in order to get the sink out. I was going to get it reglazed (it would cost the same as the new Kohler sink that looks just like it) because it’s so stained but maybe I’m not using the right cleaning method. Readers – any hints on cleaning vintage cast iron porcelain sinks that are badly stained?
Actually, the black countertop would look pretty fab with the white cabinets, pink appliances and grey/burgundy floor. Maybe I could add a touch of black to the floor?
Riki –
I love the lino idea with the liner and the border! Should the liner and the border be the same measurement? Or should the liner be alot skinnier than the border? I will for sure get a professional install…unfortunately, painting is about the only thing I can do myself!
Mid Mod Pam says
retropink57, I have never heard of anyone who had a good experience with a reglazed sink. Readers – comments????
We use Zud on our vintage Kohler circa 1963. Actually, I recommend jumping on the Kohler website to see what they say about cleaning porcelain-cast-iron.
I also put black vinyl mats in the bottom, I get them from Target.
Regarding the linoleum that’s on your counter – can you send me a close up shot and we’ll see if we can identify the material for sure.
Mid Mod Pam says
retropink57, have you seen this post? it has good info for you — https://retrorenovation.com/2008/06/28/ideas-for-catherines-1948-retro-kitchen/
Rikki says
retropink57 —
I’ve wrestled with the linoleum dilemma for awhile … that is, tile vs. sheet.
In the kitchen, you might want to factor in a professional install because you would actually be doing a custom installation. It’s one of the awesome things about lino is its adaptability in designs.
Linoleum comes in sheets on a roll. These days you would scribe the border in one color, then in a second for the liner, and a third for the center. It’s a cool effect. I’ve also seen homes where a design was incised into the middle of the sheet. Thus the recommendation to have it installed professionally. The manufacturers won’t warrant it unless it’s professionally installed.
Tile and click style are both more manageable by DIYers. I think I’m going to go with the Forbo Click in the kitchen because I can get it for $3.99 a sq. ft. and do it myself.
R.