Ideas for a 1940s kitchen are always popular on the blog. I’ve completed three 1940s kitchen design boards and now that I’m decorating my own vintage 1940s A. Neely Hall dollhouse, I’m eyeballs deep in 1940s design colors and patterns and concepts for that. What a delightful era! Continuing my research, today I’m sharing all the images from a 1938 brochure fro “Standard” brand sinks and cabinets now in my personal collection. The four colors that the company was promoting:
- Ivoire de Medici (soft yellow, I presume)
- Ming Green
- T’ang Red
- White
Let’s take a look — these delicious illustrations are full of wonderful design details and ideas…
Above: Interesting to see that in these two views, the sink cabinet was still sitting separate from the countertops. I hypothesize: The company wanted farmhouse wives and others who had other pieces already firmly in their kitchen to know / see that they could just buy and install the sink cabinet, for that touch of modernity.
Above: Ivoire de Medici cabinets and sink with soft blue floor and countertops. The countertop and flooring surely were linoleum. Light colors were not possible for early-days linoleum because of the materials and methods used. As a result, original linoleum floors were usually pretty rich in tone.
Above: Do you love these sinks? You can still get this style in cast iron or now, acrylic, today.
Above: I speculate that black lineoleum countertops were the most popular color.
Above: Be sure to includes some polka dot fabric in your 1940s kitchen!
Above: Ming and white… lovely!
Above: Be still my heart, what must surely be the rare and wonderful T’ang Red, with cabinets in ivory. And more polka dots, can you spot them? I have to say, the Ming Green is usually my favorite but today, I’m lusting after the T’ang dynasty Red!
lorraine says
Im drooling over these pictures. I looked for months to find an old sink i could refurbish. Gave up finally and got a Kohler stages sink. we had to modify our cabinet to fit it. its a beast. i have black soapstone counters with white porcelain mosaic floors with green accents and a red stove to keep the color feel of the era. I am also going to add some gingham accents.
Jan says
I can’t help it – I love the yellow! I really want the yellow! (Of course, that’s been my favorite color since the days when I could only say lello!)
Sabrina says
Classic and lovely indeed! Those T’ang Red and the Ming Green sinks, great and practical even today…I wish drainboard sinks like that were de riguer today. And the sep sink cab…cool idea!
One question about the linoleum countertops…are they all right to install around a sink? Are they DIYable? Also considering tile…love the retro tile countertops but many complain about the grout…thoughts? If the linseed linoleum is ok by water that’s a good option, yes?
pam kueber says
Sabrina, regarding using linoleum for countertops, contact Forbo/Marmoleum and see what they say. See our entire Kitchen Help / Countertops category for all our stories about countertops — https://retrorenovation.com/category/kitchen/countertops/
Also note, we have had a few readers use it, for example: https://retrorenovation.com/2010/03/17/linoleum-floors-and-countertops-brighten-up-dave-frances-1938-kitchen/
Regarding tile, Kate used epoxy grout in her bathroom and loved it. See her story here — https://retrorenovation.com/2013/08/13/review-spectra-lock-epoxy-grout/
claire says
I lived for 12 years in my grandma’s duplex. The kitchen was knotty pine and had green linoleum countertops and the stainless (aluminum?) trim. I moved out of there last year and the linoleum looked almost as good as the day it was installed. Grandma’s sister lived in the other side of the duplex; her countertops were red linoleum with the trim. My mom is going to sell that property and I just know that all that beautiful knotty pine and original fittings will be torn out or painted over. I could almost cry. We can’t afford it, or we’d buy it ourselves, and pleas not to paint it fell on deaf ears. I’ll try and get photos before it’s ruined.
Carol says
I have to share this since we are on the subject of 40’s kitchens. The “sweetest” little kitchen is listed on Trulia at 104 158th Ave. Redington Beach FL 33708. My Grandmother had the exact same cabinets in her 40’s kitchen minus the “frill”. I ran across this last month looking for a house in the area. This kitchen really is sweet and the photos are great. Also, H&M has jacquard towels with fringe and bath mats in white, dove gray, and pale pink. Check out everything under bathroom heading for a few more retro inspired goodies. Maybe this is the kitchen for Pam’s dollhouse?
Mary Elizabeth says
Carol, I had to look up that house to see the kitchen. It is adorable! And did you see the pink and gray bathroom? And what’s up with the beige tile in the other bathroom and then the mint green only in the shower? Glad the house sold.
Carol says
I don’t know what happened to that bathroom. It was “remuddled”. Did you see the terrazzo floors and the cove ceilings in the living areas? Glad you liked the little kitchen. I’m so in love. Did you notice to the left how a new stove and countertop was added? I wish I could have seen it with the original wide stove in that space.
Robin, NV says
Love the inlaid linoleum floors. Maybe you could mimic it with paint in your doll house?
How did you figure out that your doll house is an A. Neely Hall?
pam kueber says
Sometime later Friday I updated my dollhouse story — I *think* it’s an A. Neely Hall… I’d say I’m pretty darn sure. Here’s what I wrote:
Read more: Vintage dollhouse experts: I need your advice – 3 questions – Retro Renovation
Mary Elizabeth says
Here’s what I’m thinking now. The builder (we’ll call him “Gramps”) didn’t buy a ready made kit but saw the A. Neely Hall instructions in the magazine for the colonial house. From there he tweaked the design so that it matched more closely his granddaughter’s (we’ll call her “Pammy”) family garrison colonial house.
The reason I am thinking this is that it is what my grandfather and my daughter’s grandfather, both of whom built dollhouses, would do.
But I’m sure you will keep looking and finding more evidence. Keep obsessing–er–investigating.
Robin, NV says
My internet search of A. Neely Hall revealed a ranch house kit! There was one for sale on ebay just a few days ago for $20. Similar to Kate’s doll house, I believe it’s just plans and a few decorative embellishments. http://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-1970s-RANCH-Wood-DOLL-HOUSE-and-FURNITURE-Plans-Kit-A-Neely-Hall-/151636996880?nma=true&si=dbCSHBluojYmd5MSQrHX8tOyie0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Check out this collection of vintage A Neely Hall woodworking projects: http://aneelyhall.com/ “Scottie dog house number” – be still my beating heart! I haven’t checked out all their available patterns but there are some gems in there.
pam kueber says
Yes, I was aware of both of those. I bought that plan and another, for Cape Cods. As I said, it’s the A. Neely Hall Colonial in this house that has the same bottom floor plan (or so it seems) and other design cues as mine…
Allen says
Lovely Photos thanks for posting
I found this while searching Ivoire de Medici
Wonderful bathrooms using these same colors by Standard and a wall hung double sink (never have seen one in real life)
http://www.apti.org/clientuploads/pdf/standardplumbingfixtures-for-the-home1930.pdf
Ranger Smith says
Allen this book that you’ve linked to is an amazing resource! I like how they point out that the “bathroom can be the most distinguished as well as the most essential room in your home”. Um, well, yeah!
pam kueber says
yes, lovely!
Carol says
Thank you for posting this Allen. What spectacular eye candy and unexpected color combinations. In 1967 when our family home was built, everything was very modern except for the electric washer in the basement. It was just like the one in the photo with a wringer. Within months we had a new Kenmore set. My Father apparently thought it was a good idea to repurpose my Grandmother’s washing machine. My Mother was not amused. I found a red art deco toilet for sale in Asheville, NC on craigslist for $50. Post id 4971133096. Hope I’m not breaking any rules here, but I’m sure these are very rare and it looks mint. T’ang red? It doesn’t appear to be an 80’s deco reproduction.
Jay says
Thanks for sharing. Beautiful illustrations – pure fantasyland; any baths I’ver ever had were not much bigger then the illustrated 5 x 5. Especially liked the washer and dishwasher.
Allen says
Thanks for all the love everyone 🙂
Kathy says
Thanks so much for the link! Really deluxe for the times. The illustration colors are inspiring–take a gander of how lux even the basic white fixtures look with jewel tones. Also note the double bowl bathroom sink on p. 17 and the various accessories. Wonder how many telescoping porcelain waste containers were sold, or have survived. Judging from the clothing and hairstyles I would guess the catalogue is late 20s to early 30s, about the time colored porcelain fixtures were introduced to the market. Do you know what year it is from?–I couldn’t find it in the document.
claire says
The Standard plumbing fixtures brochure was just beautiful. I want that little 5 foot square bathroom. I used to paint on china, why not over tile? Thanks for sharing.
Kathy says
Whoops, the file name says 1930.
I’m not sure what the most popular linoleum countertop color was back in the day, but I have seen a lot of survivors and illustrations with red countertops–not fire engine red, but a slightly darker color to a color almost maroon/burgundy.
Neil says
Allen,
I’m gaga for the Monet-esque water lillies wall behind that sink!
virginia says
So love these illustrations — just classic. Great colors — I’m partial to both red and green as house colors. Last picture would qualify as a dream kitchen for me. And polka dots!
Amusing to see the gauzy transparent curtains over the Venetian blinds. Such a no no today.
Ivoire de Medici would be a great name for a femme fatale soap opera spoof.
Would so love to have that archway in my kitchen scenario. Thanks for unearthing these.
Mary Elizabeth says
I DID have the simple curved archway into my breakfast nook in my former late 1930s house. So interesting to see the built-in banquette in that picture. If mine had one originally, it had been taken out during the St. Charles kitchen remodel.
And I remember sheer cross-draped curtains like that over blinds. The blinds were for privacy and blocking sunlight when needed. The curtains were for decoration.
Ranger Smith says
Pam – If I go out today and buy a few gallons of Butter Yellow aka Ivorie de Medici, it will be your fault! 🙂 Currently my kitchen walls are what I refer to as School Bus Yellow (similar to the cabinets in the last picture) but I’m a likin Ivorie de Medici. And then I need turquoise polka dot plates and…
Dana says
Go for it!
Christine says
I love the red sink…..and if I had my own house I would own it
Karen says
Gotta love the forties kitchens! Reminds me of my Gramma! I especially love the Blue and Yellow (Ivoire) theme!