I am in the mode: Cranking out a new 1940s style kitchen design board each week until I get them all done. I think there will be five in total. Here is #3: A retro kitchen inspired by a vintage American Kitchen ad. It’s dominated by the color red — via the ruby red mother of pearl laminate countertop — and anchored by a green linoleum that I’d describe as, yes, drab. But also, restful, which allows your eye to rest on the sharp colors elsewhere in the room. Remember: Every element of a design doesn’t need to “scream.” I hesitate to say “shouldn’t” scream but there, I said it anyway.
Elements to create a happy red 1940s kitchen:
- Fabric: Look for a drapery fabric that includes all the main colors in your kitchen. I prefer vintage — yes, it can be found in sufficient yardage if you are patient and tenacious — like these 3 yards available on ebay.
- Sewing Pattern: Whip the fabric into curtains — you can do it! Use a vintage pattern — lookie how these scallop at the header (or whatever you call it) — nice!
- Sink: Elkay Lustertone 54″ stainless steel kitchen sink
(affiliate link) - Countertop: Mother of pearl (aka crackle ice laminate) from Heffron’s. We;ve had numerous readers find less expensive (not special order) red proxies — research our Kitchen Help/Countertops category to see those stories.
- Countertop edging: For this design board, I showed aluminum edging from RetroTrims.com
- Kitchen cabinets: Steel kitchen cabinets were available in the 1940s, too. I showed these vintage Whiteheads (a rare brand) so that you could see how the metal sink looked with a steel cabinet. If you want to hunt for vintage read this story only kinda in reverse.
- Vintage percolator: Vintage percolator on etsy.
- Linoleum flooring: Linoleum sheet flooring — in “Evening Moss” — from Armstrong
- Countertop depth French door refrigerator: I found another countertop-depth refrigerator that seem to have possibly not-supersized proportions.
- Vintage stove: Vintage 1948 Cromwell electric range from AntiqueAppliances.com.
(affiliate link)Other stories to look for 1940s kitchen ideas:
- My mood board #1, anchored by white cabinets
- My mood board #2, anchored by wood cabinets
- Lauryn and Dennis’ sunny 1940s kitchen makeover
- Dave and Frances’ 1938 kitchen
- See how the tile is done on the wall in Kristen’s original 1940s kitchen.
- Maile displays her dishware beautifully in glass-front wall cabinets in her 1940s style kitchen.
- Vintage metal cabinets are appropriate, too — and lookie the best cafe curtains ever in David’s kitchen.
See all of our 1940s kitchen design boards here
Design board to create a 1940s kitchen with yellow cabinets 
Amazing transformation: Suzann’s bungalow kitchen remodel using Ikea kitchen cabinets 
5 ideas to repaint Rebecca’s faded wood kitchen cabinets 
Emily transforms an old TV entertainment center into an adorable play kitchen 
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Lynn says
Were white appliances the norm in the 1940’s? When did the use of
Colors in appliances become popular? When I look at vintage ads and home decor books I see colors used earlier than what seems to have been in “real life”. any info on this would be helpful!
pam kueber says
40s = white
colors not til later.
Elroy says
Thanks, Pam. This is one of my favorite kitchens.
What are your thoughts on using Wilsonart’s “Betty” laminate counter top with a red, cracked ice, linoleum floor?
-Elroy
pam kueber says
My thoughts are “no”. The colors clash…
Sarah says
There are new percolator coffee makers available made by Presto or Cuisanart. I bought the Presto one on Amazon several years ago to replace a vintage one whose plastic parts eventually cracked. The Cuisinart one has the clear glass knob to see the coffee swirling inside and I saw it at JCPenney the other day. Percolator coffee is so much flavorful than drip, IMHO. And takes up minimal counter space.
Amber Dawn says
There are two similar ovens / stoves for sale at the Rowan County ReStore in NC. https://flic.kr/p/rLHFZj and https://flic.kr/p/rNTSjb.
I didn’t know you could get built-in deep fryers, but now I want one.
(And I’m totally not affiliated with the ReStore– I just took pics because they’re amazing and I can’t have them.)
Lindsey says
That little girl looks thrilled to be stirring the cookie dough! Lol!