I have been thinking a lot lately about whether it would be possible, today, to create a truly *timeless* kitchen and bathroom. That is: Focusing on the past 70 years, when our *modern* American way of life began after World War II: Make a list of all the pieces in a kitchen and then a bathroom that could put together so that, when you saw the finished room, you could not peg it, or any of the pieces in it, to a decade or window *when everybody did that.* Alas, I could not get very far in my little interior design parlor game. I wracked my brain and could think of only two products, so far, that met my rigorous criteria for remaining in pretty much continual use in residential homes… but without getting so *hot* that they ultimately crashed and burned into a sad pile of once-trendy *hideous* *dated* ashes.
My fascination with the timeless comes, I think, as the flip side of my conniption fit whenever someone spits out the word *dated* to describe a home feature that is perfectly functional but no longer popular. Oh, how I hate that word.
While dictionaries may recognize “dated” as meaning “unfashionable”, my issue with the word is that probably 99% of what’s in your home is *dated*. That is, show me a kitchen or a bathroom installed during any decade in the 20th or early 21st century, and I can give you a *date* for it. Continuing on: Tear out a *hideous* [sic / also hate] *dated* kitchen, and replace it with what’s fabulous today — and you will have a kitchen *dated* 2012… Which some homeowner about 20 or 25 years from now will think is *hideous* and spit on and call *dated* and rip out and replace with a fabulous 2022 kitchen… and the beat goes on.
I thought and thought and you know what I think: It’s virtually impossible to put together an entire kitchen or bathroom that cannot be *dated* — and therefore, won’t become “unfashionable”.
So, that leads back to the design ethic of this blog, which is kinda sorta: If you’re gonna have a *dated* kitchen, which is inevitable (I *think*), you might as well have it *dated* to the *date* of the house, which is usually extremely very difficult to hide, especially if there are other similarly *dated* houses all around it.
So what products are modern-era timeless, in my book?
The first two I identified were Elkay drainboard sinks and 4″ ceramic bathroom tiles. At certain points in time, both the Elkay sinks and 4″ ceramic bathroom tiles have been very fashionable… but I don’t think they were ever particularly un-fashionable — and never *hideous* (unless you are very rude).
Timeless kitchen sink:
The first product I’ll declare as timeless — and this one, even pre-WWII: Elkay stainless steel sink tops — which I believe have been in pretty continuous use since the 1920s… and 4″ ceramic bath tiles, also in continuous popular use since at least then.
Timeless bathroom tile colors:
Tile colors with relatively timeless appeal: “Spa” (Daltile) very light blue aka heron blue or robin’s egg blue… rose beige… bone… almond… light grey. White or self- trim. Decorative liner tile is less timeless; a solid liner tile, timeless.
Timeless bathroom vanity:
Update 2017: A modern-era timeless bathroom vanity looks approximately like this [story here]:
J D Log says
Well you did say pieces so I am going with a basic hair comb for a man it has always been made out of plastic pretty much the same colours. Sure it sprout variations like the Afro comb but as far as I can see the basic mens hair comb fits in any bathroom era in the last 60 years
pam kueber says
hahaha. did you know I did a story on “retro toothbrushes” once: https://retrorenovation.com/2009/08/26/toothbrushes-to-fit-in-vintage-porcelain-ceramic-toothbrush-holders/
Lisa says
To me, the small details are what makes something timeless. In a kitchen, it’s a window above the sink and lower cabinet shelves that pull out. In the bathroom, it’s a recessed stainless steel toilet paper holder. I’m a believer in form follows function, and as we get older, we’ll likely need to renovate to make our living spaces more conducive to our limitations — ADA height toilets, fixtures that are easier to operate with arthritic hands, walk-in showers instead of tubs, etc. (Wish someone would invent a stand-up tub as I prefer baths to showers.)
Rita@thissortaoldlife says
There are walk-in tubs. You don’t stand, but you sit on an elevated seat. If you search “accessible tubs” you can find them.
nina462 says
I vote for hard wood floors as well & not that laminat stuff that resembles it either. Real wood, please.
I agree with the oriental or braided rugs.
White porceline sinks/bathtubs also do it for me.
I heard today on the news that you should update the electrical stuff in your house every 10 years or otherwise people will think your house is dated. But electrical stuff they meant appliances – ha! No thank you, I will live in my dated home happily.
pam kueber says
“The news” is crazy!
Elaine says
“people will think your house is dated.” After being sickened by everyone on HGTV finding everything “dated” I have decided that I no longer care what people think. If I like it, that’s good enough! Things they find “dated” that I like:
Any working appliance
Any working light fixture, although I could see replacing one that doesn’t match what I want in the house. That halo fixture Pam posted would be so much fun, it might win out over something a little more ordinary.
Newish floor covering except if it doesn’t match my furniture or color preference.
Things have to be pretty worn out or not working before I start shopping for replacements. Raised in a depressed area by parents raised in the Depression. Where do people get all this money to replace working appliances?
Marion Powell says
Pam, what about a blue and white kitchen. I did my backsplash with mostly white tiles but added white tiles with blue accent corners and then blocks of delft tiles above sink, stove, and corner.
I think white appliances have no age problems. Always a choice even if the trendy want harvest gold or stainless steel. Unfortunately, it’s getting a bit hard to find white microwaves. Will stainless go out of style?
I agree on the brick floor. I’m having the hardest time finding an affordable look.
vintigchik says
Formica and linoleum. The patterns have changed, but the product is essentially the same. It’s pattern that “dates” it. I wonder though if there is a pattern that has stood the test of time among these products. How about butcher block counter tops? They have been around a long time as far as I’m aware. This is a fun topic to think about. Maybe with all readers combining their ideas we can come up with the most “timeless” kitchen/bath around.
pam kueber says
That is my goal, vintigchik. Re linoleum, I think it went *out of style* for a long long time. Not *hideous* maybe, but way out of style in preference for vinyl sheet. Also, I’m gonna suggest that butcher block laminate entered into the *hideous*-sphere – among the masses, not here of course! I will think about it some more…. haha, I get to make the final cut, playing Queen. All this input is really really helping, though. Actually, I have both rooms almost *done* in *timeless* fashion. The kitchen floor is giving me some trouble still, though. Some great, close, ideas, but I’m not sure if they are perfect wrt my threshold, though. Certain architectures, saltillo, but that’s a very limited set of architectures…
vintigchik says
I was thinking about this some more and have noticed that glass brick/block being used throughout many decades, even today.
pam kueber says
Yes, that might well make the list, v-chik! thanks!
Tony P says
When my parents bought their first home in 1973, it came with a dual bowl stainless steel sink.
I seem to recall it being an Elkay sink.
Christa says
Wow, this is a fun question. Lots to think about. I don’t really mind the term “dated” but to me it is a separate term from “original”. In my house the 2nd bathroom is “original” — I restored the 4″ tile (white with tiny gold and grey flecks). The light fixture was “dated” because it wasn’t the original, and I replaced it with something new which will likely look dated. I wish I had bought a more classic light but the perfect one was just too expensive. In my house, the renovations over the years are the things that now look ‘dated’ — not the original things.
Timeless, now that is even tougher. It’s a rare item that works for every style and era of home. Saltillo tiles, for example, are timeless and classic, but not appropriate for most styles of architecture (though many have tried, sigh).
I think the best way to make a timeless list is to look at what sellers do to spruce up a house for sale: new beige carpet, white or beige walls, etc. And that is kinda depressing…
pam kueber says
Totally agree with this one: “Saltillo tiles, for example, are timeless and classic, but not appropriate for most styles of architecture (though many have tried, sigh).”
pam kueber says
Update for those of you following this thread. Some smart reader in the Comments above made me remember that: *horrid* isn’t the word I really meant to use, *hideous* is. I am going to update the post. p.s. Every day that goes by, my brain gets more *worn out*
Cynthia says
I grew up in a 1929 Tudor…it was one of the oldest houses in its neighborhood, and thus was surrounded by 1950s/60s Capes and ranches. As a kid/teen (and aspiring architect — which never happened, but back then I did have dreams of it ;-)), I had plenty of disdain for my neighbors’ homes, finding them too cookie-cutter-alike and lacking in style.
Now — oh, the irony! 😉 — I live in a 1958 tri-level that I absolutely adore. Makes me wonder if some of the kids growing up in newer, “cookie-cutter” suburbs these days will someday make something wonderful of those homes, the way that many of us have recognized the beauty and worth of the homes of our youth.
In other words — is there anything “timeless” in the mass construction of *this* era? Time will tell, I guess…
lexavline says
I’ve been lurking around this site since September and am absolutely loving it! I’m following this discussion on my phone at work. Is this the most discussed thread of the new year? How ’bout an iphone app? 😉 -Lex
pam kueber says
I’ll ask my dev guys. You want an app for Comments, or for the whole site. I don’t have an iphone. I don’t know about this. Crap, it’s always more technology! 🙂