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!
donna askari says
I love all of these kitchens, I was wondering if the dishes in the flower power kitchen were from Avon’s Cape cod collection?
Lori says
I scrubbed up some “leather” texture Geneva cabinets – the deep old stains were hard to clean! Compared to modern Stainless Steel appliances that show every finger print, I could see the appeal “because it breaks up and scatters reflected light, the dimensional surface makes the minimum care and upkeep easy… almost a pleasure.” but I like my flat Crane’s better for cleaning… We are looking to fill the texture with Bondo or thick paint… also so they match the Crane’s better. Suggestions anyone. (Love this site!!)
Grama Robin says
I had that wok – my mom gave it to me! Showing my age; vintage to me is 1950s.
PRESTON says
My mom went to red early on because the old appliances were white, but soon purchased avocado appliances and everything else went stark white…..except for the red phone. Never understood that one…lol
Nancy Yergin says
My vote goes to the Flower Power kitchen. I was living in Europe in the early 70s and loved the spare lines and bright colors of homes over there. That kitchen still looks good to me. The 70s were cool years – I was in my mid-20a, had a waistline, didn’t need a bra and had an Afro hairstyle.
Least favorite kitchen is the Mediterranean style which seemed so heavy and uncomfortable as well as pretentious. People had red-flocked wall paper, fake armor on their walls and I seem to remember a lot of paintings on velvet. Sort of early-bordello…
pam kueber says
ah, those were the days “i had a waistline… didn’t need a bra.” I didn’t have the fro – but I had the frizzie permanent taking me in that direction!
Debbie says
#1 for me
Richard says
Our 1971 home came with an updated kitchen (I believe in 1999), so very diss appointing because I would haves LOVED original everything! As you know I love the 70s, as we are retro-fitting the house back to that time. I love #2 but would have added a geometrical wallpaper or mod floral. Love the smoked glass table. #4 would be another choice as well: crazy about orange pairs with the harvest gold! Totally super!!
Galle says
I love #5 Mediterranean the best (it’s really more Spanish Colonial), but then again, I’m a Renaissance Faire geek, so this is right up my alley, LOL. #3 Early American is my second favorite. I always loved Colonial history, plus this reminds me of my Grandma and Grandpa’s huge kitchen in the raised ranch they built in 1968. They had the same faux brick behind the cooktop, plus a very similar pendant lamp. Wish I had that house now…
Mr Kim says
As a Spaniard I agree it is much more Colonial than Mediterranean. In fact, whatever you call «Spanish» tends to be more Colonial than real Spanish. Our Mediterranean is quite similar to what you call «Tuscan» or «Provençal». Although furniture in Mediæval Castile was quite similar to the one depicted, so the «Torquemada» reference seems quite accurate. Not that I would like to live in a place related to Torquemada (look up the terrible things he did…)
Margaret Roach says
Flower power (says the gardener)!
pam kueber says
Hi Maggie!!!!
db says
Pam, oh *PAM*! You’ve done it again!!!
I’ve been searching for 9 months on the “leather” texture on a set of St. Charles we acquired last spring – and now we have an approximate age, too!
These were originally white, but re-painted by a previous owner.
FWIW: the Duralon finish also means a less-than-professional re-paint looks okay.
pam kueber says
🙂