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.
gavin hastings says
I have seen many homes from 1900-1920 with NO cabinets or countertops-just like Alice and Ralph Kramdens’: Just a room with a sink and stove..maybe a pantry.
The first three decades of the last century moved at an incredible pace.
gavin hastings says
The story of the kitchen sink is directly related to food:
Up until the First World War(1917) kitchens were part food factory and part slaughterhouse. It was modern food production which spured the “Streamlined Kitchen”. Until the ’30’s; and in some places, the 1940’s, that an item such as chicken arrived de-feathered and cut into parts. Frozen vegetables did’t hit until Birdseye in the late 20’s….but most refigerators only had a little section that did not actually “freeze” food, but only kept it colder than everything else. Imagine feeding the family with only “fresh and unassembled” or canned!
During these years, many kitchens were retro-fitted with the sinks shown at the top of this chapter. They were a huge improvement over previous sinks which many times included water pumps.
Two other considerations are cleanliness and servants. Every early (1920’s) ad I have ever seen incorporates a maid…and the word SANITARY at least half a dozen times.
So- it is the availability of “standardized” food, what we have to do with it upon arrival and by whom, that created the kitchen we know today.
There will be a test on Friday. Class dismissed.
pam kueber says
Yes, Gavin, I agree: Design very much moved ahead hand-in-hand with food “technology”, plumbing, and shifts in domestic roles. It’s all very, very interesting.
52postnbeam says
i did a bunch of sink research last night, and posted more than 20 listings in one post in the forum here:
https://retrorenovation.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=4017
Jane (aka) Elvis says
Nice roundup, Pam. I would say the last image is mid-to-late 50s, but based on the salt and pepper shakers. The oven is similar to ours in our 56 ranch: its narrow width also makes me think mid-fifties.
Rebecca Prichard says
This is great! And, yes, I DO compost all of my carrot peelings! 🙂
Leah@storybookranch says
Those are some really great pictures!
We have an original,porcelain sink in our home and while I love it, it’s so very difficult to keep clean. It seems to get scratched very easily. any tips?
John says
Hi Pam, great pics and advice. You could mimic the practical use of drain boards on either side of your sink using the rubbermaid ones you can still buy today. They are even slanted for drainage. I use one to the right of my sink to drain and air dry my dishes. You can find black and red ones at Target.
Have fun in Charlotte.
John aka AtomicHipster
helaine says
Fantastic photos showing time ‘s changes in kitchens and their designs.I always notice kids smiling,helping out mommies ,wearing their little aprons,smiling daddies,smiling happy mommies in kitchens,wearing pearls and high heels i could never even stand on!!!Kind-a like today’s scenarios!!!!!Have a nice day!
Maria Stahl says
That wall oven looks like the same model as the GE in my mom’s 1957 kitchen, so I’m gonna go with late ’50s.
sablemable says
Wonderful pictures! When I was little, we lived in a house that had a sink like the first picture.