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.
david Goularte says
Pictures 3 and 4 (covered deep side) are dishwashers. The racks lifted up and out for loading. Our 1914 house had the first dishwasher in our town installed in 1927 and it was this type.
Before electricity, there were hand operated dishwashers…..all it took was the electric motor to turn many hand cranked machines into what we enjoy today.
you can see a 1949 version on You Tube:
GE Electric sink dishwasher first ever full operation
Jean says
I loved my “real” drainboard sink from the old farm house the kids grew up in. It would go so splendidly in my current 1943 house!
That two drain board single sink type was in my grandparent’s Victorian. The large sink on legs is the same as the one in an illustration from my mother’s School and Home Cooking book, cir 1920!
Thanks for the great 1940’s pics!
Lynn Purl says
We have that “peninsula thing,” too, Zane! I was so excited to see it. Ours has space underneath for stools, as well. We’re using ours as an island on top of the Marmoleum floor in our renovated kitchen. Thanks for the fun photos and info, as always, Pam!
Ann Hilmanowski says
That last photo with the oven/broiler in the wall looks like the late half of the 1960s to me. My Mom and Dad (an architect) built a new house in the late 1960s, and they had a wall oven/broiler unit similar to what’s in the photo, installed. The rangetop was mounted into the countertop seperately.
Zane Barlow Coleman says
We have that pennisula thing in the 12th photo, the one with the little shelves at the end, except ours has a space underneath it for stools… like a little breakfast bar. 1957 Ranch.
Alison Marie says
My sink (and my entire kitchen) are just like the 40’s ones in the 4th & 5th photos….I love my double drainboards, but the shallow sink depth means I splash myself a lot when washing dishes by hand (no automatic dishwasher in my kitchen.) Has anyone here had their original sinks reglazed successfully? The company I called refused to do it!
gavin hastings says
Carolyn- Call a good carpenter if the cabinet is wood. Many of the cupboards in homes of the period were crafted “on-site”.
You should be able to find someone that can duplicate the section that you need. Best wishes!
Carolyn says
We have a 1930 double sided drain board sink with the original support cabinet. The original cabinet is falling apart and must be replaced. I seem to be having a problem finding a replacement cabinet. Does anyone have any ideas? The sink and drainboard are so heavy and everything seems to be geared to drop in sinks. Thanks. Carolyn.
Kathy says
Pam’s right about doing better on the price for the Kohler Bakersfield sink. I paid $308 for ours. And by the way, I just love it!
Jeff says
Thanks Pam!
There are some super stand-ins at Ikea for midmod design, not always preferable to the originals, but in my case, it’s a mod-update that combined with my 1949 Roper Town & Country gas range (yes, I’m bragging!) and my 1955 GE wall mounted refrigerator in turquoise, and cork flooring, I’m in business!