Murphy Cabranette Kitchens — introduced in 1926 — made by the Murphy Bed Door Company. Alas, my vintage catalog has no date on it anywhere. UPDATE Dec 2019: I think my catalog is from the… late 1930s, but not sure. In any case, so far in all my research I believe that this brand is a very early brand of metal kitchen cabinets — although it’s unclear when “fitted” was added to “alcove” designs.
Thanks to reader Jim for the tip that led me to this Murphy Cabranette Kitchens catalog, now in my personal collection. Let’s take a look >>
Murphy Cabranette kitchen cabinets are a very interesting addition to the history of steel kitchen cabinets:
- Given their design — especially as seen in earlier catalogs — the Murphy Cabranettes present like a Denisovan Lucy missing link, bridging old “furniture” style kitchens with the new “fitted” style kitchen we still live in today.
- The”De Lux” installation is featured at the end of the catalog — after the “alcove” kitchens. It seems that alcoves came first … then, the cabinets were adopted into modern “fitted” kitchens for larger apartments and homes. Note, by “fitted,” I mean the cabinets are used in the entire kitchen — with attached base cabinets and wall cabinets — all in a long line. “Fitted”= modern arrangement of cabinets, which we we still have today! Prior to fitted, we had one-off furniture-like pieces e.g. Hoosier cabinets…. and “alcove” sets, but I am not including these as the ground zero base date for my historical inquiry. I want to know: Who made and marketed the very first fitted kitchen sets!
- Vitreous porcelain, oh my.
- Murphy Bed Door Company — that’s the same company as “Murphy Beds” — big marketplace reach.
You know that my ultimate Encyclopedia goal is to nail down who was the first the first the first to make fitted steel kitchen cabinets. Could it be Murphy Cabranettes? Time may tell.
Murphy Cabrabettes in “Alcove” designs
In the photos shown above, we see a series of Murphy Cabranettes shown as unitized sets meant to slide into apartment kitchens. The fold-out sheet in my catalog indicate than when you combine the cabinets with the stove, sink and refrigerator, you are creating an ALCOVE UNIT.
Note, the refrigeration unit includes space for an icebox or refrigerator. Yes: ICEBOX.
EARLY STEEL KITCHEN CABINETS!
Bridge to modern “fitted” kitchens
On the back of the 8-page brochure, there is this photo of the “Murphy Cabranettes De Luxe” — “For luxurious residences and ultrafine apartments.”
More of the text for the Murphy Cabranettes De Luxe:
Here is shown but one typical assembly… One Murphy Cabranette installation, in a 16-room Park Avenue apartment, stretches through three service rooms.
To simplify cleaning and for perfect sanitation, these Cabranettes are made entirely of steel. Doors and drawer fronts are porcelain, in our stock colors or in special tints….
Work tops are covered in Monel metal, battleship linoleum or porcelain. Exposed wall areas may be covered with porcelain splasher sections or may be built of tile.
… built to order…
Murphy Cabrette colors — amazing!
And wow, the colors available! Used as solids with a touch of black — or in two-tone combinations, also with black outlines. Divine!
Use these colors if you are working on a 1930s or 1940s kitchen:
- Bisque…
- Silver-green…
- Pewter gray…
- Spring green…
- White…
- Ivory…
- … all edged in black!
Porcelain finish on steel
On the first page of text, Murphy again makes a big marketing push for their porcelain finish on these kitchen cabinets:
The time approaches when painted kitchen equipment, either wood or steel, will be as archaic as a painted bath tub, a painted sink or a a painted refrigerator.
Porcelain conquered the bathroom, then entered the kitchen via sinks, table tops and refrigerators. Now come Murphy Cabranette Kitchens with their entire fronts of 18 and 20 gauge steel finished in four-coat vitrified porcelain! << (emphasis theirs)
Note, the brochure also says the cabinets “double thick flush doors, operating on Jerome concealed hinges….”
Family tree history of Murphy Cabranette kitchen cabinets
Basic history of Murphy Cabranettes once they had that name:
- 1926 — Dwyer bought Murphy by 1940. Dwyer says cabinet production started in 1926 — see their pdf, which also explains their vitreous porcelain. So: I’ll set the first Cabranettes at 1926.
- 1927 — Additional sourcing. A while back, a reader told me he had Murphy Cabranettes in his Chicago condo built in 1927. Since he had the name — I will assume it is on the cabinets somewhere, or how else would you know — so yes, Murphy Cabranettes as early as 1927.
- 1930 — First found reference to name Murphy Cabranettes in advertising.
- 1938 catalog — shows the evolution of the design — more modern. (link now gone, darnit)
- By 1940 — Dwyer bought Murphy, this catalog indicates, by 1940.
Diving further back, research suggests Murphy’s connection to steel kitchens to as early as 1919. However, I do not have enough information to tell whether the early kitchens mentioned pass my test of being classified as “fitted” kitchens. They may be “kitchenets” (Hoosier-style cupboards) or unitized alcove sets for apartments only.
- 1919 — a May 25, 1919 advertisement in the Tampa Bay Times from the Murphy Door Bed Company, of Atlanta says that the Murphy Door Bed Company sells Powell Steel Gas Kitchens. The text describes the kitchens and the other “Murphyized” furniture that can be installed in apartment units.
- 1920 — By 1920, the Majestic stove company buys Powell and now these cabinets become the Majestic Steel Gas Kitchens (also now added to my list — 92 brands) Fort Wayne Journal Gazette clarifies that these cabinets are sold exclusively by the Murphy Door Bed Company. Ads for Murphy Door Bed Company reflect the name change.
- 1919 — Squirrel: I seethe Electric Kitchenet Company of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, because they have hired a Powell/Majestic employee. Let’s take this moment to codify/clarify/understand: Kitchenets. Just to be clear: These are not what I call kitchens. They are what I call, all Kleenex- and Formica-like: Hoosier cabinets. Poking around, it’s easy to see that there were many makers of kitchenets, especially wood kitchenets. Steel kitchenets are likely an important part of the evolution to fitted steel kitchen cabinets, but they do not fit my definition of fitted kitchens. So, kitchenets will not be catalogued in the Encyclopedia, although I will add them to the History. This 1920 reference calls Majestics kitchenets. Dangit, without illustrations or photos I can’t make the judgment call of how these puzzle pieces all fit together in the history.
- 1923 — The details in this story suggests that the Majestic kitchens are small unitized apartment units — again, I’m calling these alcove kitchens. Still it seems like “all the parts” may be there to make a fitted kitchen, and in fact, the story mentions “more elaborate cabinets and cupboards” available. I’m putting a pin in this date — 1923 — as a result of those word, “more elaborate cabinets… are available”!
- 1926 — By January 1926 the cabinets are renamed Murphy Steel Kitchens. This ad in the St. Louis Star and Times in 1927 gives us an illustration of what Steel Kitchen Cabinet by Murphy Bed Co. looked like — although the door styles are different than the ones in my catalog. In any case, it’s good to have the illustration. NOTE: In the movie “Judy”, are the kitchen cabinets in Sid Luft’s house these old-style Murphy Cabranettes? Watching the movie, I noticed them right away. Maybe so!
Karen Klinedinst says
As a graphic designer, I love the design and typography of those Cabranette sales brochures. Those steel cabinets would look perfect in our little Baltimore row house built in 1925. Next year, we plan on renovating our kitchen, and this post is providing inspiration. Thank you!
Retroski says
Me too!
Patsy byers says
I own an apartment complex (5 units) built in 1962. Two of the apartments have the Dwyer steel kitchens. One is the whole unit. But one only still has the top cabinets. Both are mint green. I love them. Email me back and I will send u a pic. Ism currently shopping for the baking element for the stove. Not an easy task. Send me any tips that might help.
Phyllis says
248 Boylston Street in Boston is where the Four Seasons Hotel is today, right across the street from the Public Garden, a pretty tony address. Clearly back in the day their customers were the wealthy families that lived in Back Bay and Beacon Hill. I loved this story!
Pam Kueber says
Wow! Thanks for that info, and for adding to this research!!!
Retroski says
These are beautiful! It’s interesting to note that the counter depth looks “skimpy” compared to the 24” (or so) we’re used to. Maybe these are 18”?
I can imagine the alcove kitchens in the 1920s-1930s Chicago “courtyard” apartment buildings, and I once visited a friend who lived in a 1920s apartment building with so many of the historic details intact, including a metal door attached to the outside of the unit, by the door to deliver packages, maybe ice too. Her studio had an alcove type kitchen, but the cabinets were wood.
Also, I wonder, what’s the history behind why ivory and jadeite/spring green was such a popular Art Deco color combination?
“Spring Green/Silver Green”—so that’s the name for that wonderful 1930s green!
Pam Kueber says
I have another sheet from the brochure that shows cabinetry dimensions.
Yes, “Standard” base cabinets were 20″ deep. Deluxe were 23″ deep.
“High closets” — what we call wall cabinets today — were 14″ deep.
The widths included a mix of what we have today — and other sizes we don’t have today. It does not appear there was the 3″ standard yet. Lots of options. Too many options for Henry Ford, that’s for sure!
I’ll get this scanned and up at some point soon…
Carol K says
These have to be my favorite of all the metal cabinets posted here. Porcelain, oh my! Cabinets of my dreams. Pam, your kitchen is beyond enticing, and if my memory serves me correctly, Roundhouse Sarah’s parents had an amazing kitchen with curved end cabinets. These three top the list with me for sure. A 16 room apt. on Park Ave. with three service rooms. I would love to know which billionaire lives in it now. Thanks so much for the fabulous story.
Tina says
I had these in a studio apartment in Philly, and they were in beautiful condition! I wish they still made them, I would put them in my kitchen because they were so easy to clean. They were Ivory with black handles – and I even had the under sink fridge, which no longer worked, but I used it for storage.
Pam Kueber says
Wow!
Tina says
There was even a small metal plaque on the inside of one of the cabinet doors identifying it manufactured by “Murphy Bed Door Company”.
Pam Kueber says
So cool — thanks, Tina!
Mary Anne S says
Whatever you call them I love the look and colors of these early fitted kitchens. I would love to see these in their actual homes. Wonderful details on the plaster edges in the Delux kitchen, those shapes add such yummy detail! As always, thank you Pam for the lovely research.
Neil says
That black trim line brings sharply to mind the beautiful porcelain kitchen table tops popular in the 1920’s and well beyond (and earlier?). Those early porcelain tops often have a black, or other color, trim line around the bevelled edge.
Which brings to mind the question….how is the history of porcelain (on steel) kitchen table tops related to the history of porcelain on steel kitchen cabinets?
Pam Kueber says
I agree. The table tops and these kitchen cabinets seemingly were done the same way. I did not research it deeply but think that Murphy was putting porcelain on a bunch of stuff they sold into apartments.
I tend to think two streams were coming together:
The evolution of the form (the cabinet) evolved in sync with the evolution of the use of the material (porcelain on steel)
Very shortly I think I will need to do a graphic!
Neil in San Francisco says
Since I know for sure you have lots of extra time on your hands….
Maybe you should write the book! Could be fascinating, telling the story of the confluence of the juggernaut American steel business and the patriarchs of industry, with the evolution of the American Wife’s small domain of enforced, unpaid labor, which evolution was increasingly sold to her as her liberation. (More like liberating piles of cash for the males in charge.)
But hey, the whole business sure did result in some timelessly beautiful kitchens, and kitchen tables too.
By the way, Wikipedia says that the modern process of making vitreous enamel for use on American household objects was developed in 1887 by D.D.Buick, who started up his car company with the profits from that invention.
So, untie those apron strings, pull on your white gloves, hop in your ’53 baby blue Skylark, and go get some typewriter ribbon…..
Pam Kueber says
I actually have written a book – on another historical 60s/70s topic – but still need to wrestle the ibook formatting and get it out. Ouch.
Phil says
Notice that none of the illustrations show an icebox! Also, the lead photo gives the impression that the VCT flooring is 12×12 as opposed to 9×9’s.
Thanks so much for your passionate research!
Pam Kueber says
Very good observation about the floor tile dimensions. Yes, in early days we usually see 9″ tiles.
In ’26, it would have been true linoleum, though, or some such formulation, I think. I don’t think that VCT came til later…
Bill says
The alcove cabinet ads show ice boxes next to the sink base cabinets. The ice box doors have heavier hinges and a large locking latch.
Carol K says
Yes, the ad does Bill. The icebox looks just like the one in my canned ham Westerner trailer. It is butter yellow along with the propane cooktop. It is a true icebox.
Bill says
I used to deliver newspapers inside a few dozen big old apartment buildings on different routes and all had metal kitchen cabinets like these and Murphy beds in the efficiency apartments. The ice box and sink base cabinets had openings to locking doors on the hallway wall where the iceman could deliver ice, the milkman his products with non perishables from the grocer going beneath the sink. The one room efficiencies had an open bathroom in one corner on a wedge shape platform. The commode was in the center with a triangular water tank that had a sink on top and a shower head above it. A curtain was drawn around when taking a shower with the water going into a floor drain. By then the ice boxes had been replaced with small refrigerators though the delivery doors were still used for dropping off groceries and bottles of booze that friends picked up for the residents after getting a key from the resident building manager.
Pam Kueber says
Amazing memory. It wasn’t that long ago when we had icey ice boxes!
Bill says
People kept using ice boxes as long as block ice was available because domestic refrigerators were rather expensive for the longest time. I grew up next to Chicago in NW Indiana and remember keeping an old ice box on their back porch or in the basement as a second refrigerator since the local supermarkets sold blocks of ice along with cubed ice for picnic coolers or home use.
The ads show ice boxes since the early domestic refrigerators had the fan and condenser coil mounted on top of the cabinet. The manufacturers didn’t start beneath the cabinet until after the war.
Pam Kueber says
Wow. A topic to add to my list to write more about! Thank you!
Pam Kueber says
Like those GE Monitor Tops?
But… there WERE refrigerators before WWII — see my story on Servel kitchen cabinets…. me confused
Neil in San Francisco says
The great thing about those early-mid 20th century kitchens and the elements of them, besides their visual beauty and grounding practicality, was their tactility. Using them was a treasure of sensations: the hard cold of an ice block that melted under a soft touch, the warning of an open fire leaping from a stovetop, the cool clean skin of enameled steel cabinets, the friendly reassurance of bright linoleum floor squares under bare feet, the quiet embrace of wooden kitchen tables and chairs; and lots more.
In that era there was still plenty in Mom’s alchemical lab to remind us that we’re inextricable from mother nature.
CarolK says
Bill, your description of that apartment reminds me of a cruising boat. Heads/bathrooms tend to be rather compact and there may not be an actual shower compartment although there will be a showerhead. Some cruising sailboats still have iceboxes. They are nice and low-tech, don’t break down like an electric reefer might, don’t drain your batteries and they work!. Unless you have some solar panels, the generator only produces electricity when the engine is running.
The stovetops in some of these Cabranette kitchens remind very much of modern rangetops. The ad for the Park Avenue kitchen talks about back splashes, too.