Here’s some more whimsy-doodle — and gorgeous patterned linoleum, too — from Hazel Dell Brown circa 1941. I’m not sure that painted (fun ideas with Meyercord decals, *affiliate link, anyone?) glass- paneled divider behind the stove is truly very practical, but… Hazel was sure having some fun: “… a spot for a nap while the bread bakes” — indeed! I even love how, in this one, there’s a ‘shadow’ of the bird cage apparently penciled in. Or maybe that’s penciled into my brochure only? Bizarre.
Other interesting tidbits from this one: Very controlled color palette, built round the colors in the flooring.
Above: The alternate mood board, including: Ceiling painted Chinese red… and fish net curtain! Nautical c. 1941 is … nice!
- All my stories mentioning Hazel Dell Brown — the most influential residential interior designer you never heard of — here.
helen says
Growing up, I lived on a dairy farm. I came late to it, as a teen-ager.
At first I wondered about the cot in the kitchen. But after living there for awhile, I understood that one of the best sources of heat in the old 1800s house was the kitchen. There was a coal burning stove and a radio for Amos to listen to while Edith was cooking,
They both lived well into their 90’s, he, still calling her his girl and she, drinking another cup of black coffee at the formica top table as I sat doing my homework.
These are some of the most cherished memories I have.
Neil says
If you inspect that small gray cabinet behind the stove, you see it’s a sewing machine cabinet, with the top that swings up and leftwards, over the lounge, where you can lay out your cut pieces and have them at hand as you stitch.
And speaking of which, that bench seems to be on a long wrought iron frame, echoing the wrought iron breakfast chairs; plus the left end of it isn’t visible and it’s obviously longer than an average housewife’s legs…..so I’m betting it continues behind the table to become a Bench!
(That clever Miss Hazel! I’d love to chat her up…and if you google her you’ll find a Wealth of images of her astoundingly charming and clever magazine layouts)
So the fainting bench is seating for the wall side of the table, extended along the wall to receive an exhausted mid-century cook’s well-earned, imminent collapse; but with the sewing machine whispering in her ear about the unfinished mending….
And the window’s right there, so if she spies the hubby approaching the front door she can spring up, refresh her lipstick and smooth her apron, and offer a slice of fresh hot bread.
There’s so much to love about this kitchen, but I’m charmed that the placement of the stove, into the middle of the room, makes it not just a taskmaster but also a Diva….. standing center stage with a floral headdress and a daintily folded side-skirt.
Elizabeth Minish says
I love the floor as well. I have a catalogue from the Dominion Oilcloth and Linoleum Co. Ltd. of Montreal, Quebec for the year 1946. It includes a letter dated October 1945 talking about how the company was still under war-time restrictions but were finally able to put out a new catalogue showing some pretty fabulous new patterns. They advised that one should keep the last catalogue from 1942 for reference on existing products. The floor shown in this kitchen looks very similar to ones in the catalogue.
My family home, built in 1953 in Manitoba, Canada, had a green floral patterned floor similar to ones in this catalogue. Very lively indeed.
Kitty says
I love everything about this kitchen! And the picture reads a little like an I Spy puzzle (I found the chaise lounge, the glass panel and the birdcage…) But I don’t see the sewing machine – perhaps on that little table just behind the stove?
Also, drying rack! Everything about this kitchen is practical for the homemaker, but it’s so sunny and lovely, too. (Though she could use a little more counter space!) Great inspiration – thank you for sharing!
TERESA WRIGHT says
Are there any current day sources for patterned linoleum? The closest I’ve been able to find in my own area is Armstrong commercial vinyl tiles.
Joe Felice says
Precursor of today’s islands and peninsulae? By the way, when did these become popular?
Dee C. says
I’ve never seen a kitchen with a place for a nap. It seems like a brilliant idea to me, but then I have narcolepsy! Cool post. Glad I found your site.
Pat in PA says
I’m guilty in saying I would find this little sunny “napping/resting” area more inviting than cooking or doing dishes 🙂
te says
The bird cage is totally stenciled: notice the little table/cabinet underneath it on the wall? Lovely kitchen! Makes me want to tear out a couple cabinets (who needs stuff?) and put in a fainting couch so I can lay there and look at the dirty dishes.
Karin says
Wow, just when I thought that the pink kitchen with glass blocks was the sunniest space ever. There are subtle streamline Art Deco details such as the gold line around the ceiling which is repeated on the linoleum floor. The curved end cabinet on the right of the wall of cabinets is a well thought out touch. I’ve noticed from the blog’s other stories (like the dreamy sky blue St Charles kitchen), that curved cabinets are often positioned next to doorways for a smooth transition. For me, the icing on the cake is that Ms. Dell Brown softened the industrial machine age look of the cabinet and countertops with lots of plants, a curvy kitchen set and delicate colors like sage and buttercream. No detail is overlooked here.
Great post-it made my day. Thank you!