Mid-Century Modern Kitchens: A History
As long as I can remember, the kitchen has always been the center of the home; everyone seemed to congregate there. Growing up in the later part of the 20th century, I didn’t realize that just a generation before, things were pretty different. I remember my grandmother telling me how she used to shoo people out of the kitchen so that she could cook, because the room was so small relative to the kitchens of today. A little historical research explained why, and as always, design reacted to needs and lifestyle and played a major part in an entire reinvention of the American kitchen.
A lot of the changes in kitchen development over the 20th century were reflective of changing roles – women were working, processed food became mass market and lifestyles were continually being changed by technology. The biggest changes that took place in kitchen design was during the 1950s and early 60s. Kitchens, once small and dedicated to cooking became multi-purpose areas; a dining area was created and sometimes laundry was even housed in newer kitchens. Open floor plans began to decompartmentalize many functions. Instead of the usual combination of a small, hidden kitchen and formal dining room, space was now designated for breakfast bars with stools or dinettes with benches and chrome tables.
The invention of dishwashers and wall ovens changed the way a kitchen was laid out, and the new post-war refrigerators were so large they begged to have a kitchen built around them, not vice versa. The post-war changes in hopes and jobs, coupled with the race to space in the 1950s had everyone – especially designers – looking to the future and it’s possibilities. This is largely why the “space age” look and feel of a lot of the era is so prominent. It was a decided leap into the future as best it could be invented at the time. And for the first time, kitchen “design” was able to tie in seamlessly with other rooms of the house with a few basics as a thread between them: elements like knotty pine cabinetry, space-age formica, or ultra modern furnishings could be found in bathrooms, living room, bedrooms and now kitchens….often in colors that were unusual and fresh, bright, and, well, modern.
What is now described as “retro” for kitchen design and appliances is actually the first real mid-century modern design style. The common perception of Danish styled furniture, clean lines, teak, and everything and anything associated with the word “Eames” (have you ever used Eames as a keyword on eBay? Oh, the liberties people take!) is very much a direct evolution of these formica / metal / sleek / clean / bright elements that became commonplace in the kitchens of the middle of the last century. Movement into wood and furniture and fabrics and the general aesthetic all began, in my opinion, in the kitchen. It was a natural progression; homes were centered on kitchen activities, and the changes in lifestyle as a result were catered to foremost by designers. For instance, the evolution from a stand alone piece of cabinetry to a built-in, sleek and streamlined, paved the way for future bathrooms, built-in closets and more.
The same is true in color. As Murrye pointed out yesterday, the color palette of mid-century modern design took it’s roots from the “retro” styles of the 50s, specifically in kitchens. Kitchens of the late 1940s through the early 1960s were awash in pastels kicked up a notch….gauzy yellows, Pepto-pinks, mint greens, light turquoise (all with glints of metallics and chrome thrown in) dominated, and as the 50s rolled on, the inclusion of wood in medium, earthy tones (teak and walnut) gradually worked their way in. Those kitschy kitchen colors remain(ed) in a lot of mid-century design – look at the Eames Shell Chairs, for instance – as colors gradually moved into more neutral tones as shape and form took the forefront. It’s as if the bold colors heralded a major change, which when incorporated into everyday design, could gradually become more everyman and neutral.
A photo journey though the evolution of mid-century kitchens shows the gentle transformation in function and form, materials and colors:
A 1949 kitchen, showing the first use of color, simple lines, full appliances, modular cabinetry and an eat-in area.
Early 50s, early “atomic” style; note the lines on the table as precursor to future mid-century design.
The introduction of standalone, very modern wood furniture / table. Addition of sleek handles and hardware and small touches of wood.
The addition of major amounts of wood into the kitchen of the mid-50s. The color palette remains and deepens, and continues to be complemented with wood.
A 1955 introduction of the island as a major element of kitchen design. Kitchens like this were mass-produced for the new American suburban developments. The simplicity of the lines was also in part to cost-effectiveness of the mass-production. First real display of open-area kitchens.
Higher end walnut was used alongside metal cabinetry as a real harbinger of the changing design of kitchens in the late 50s.
The futuristic kitchen of the late 1950s – ultra mod and space-themed. Very Jetsons! Note the continuation of the mid-century lines. While some went for more wood, many went in this direction.
Another late 50s kitchen which perfectly demonstrates the marriage of new and efficient, colorful kitchens with the developing usage of wood. A major play for kitchen units to be seen as furniture (hence, leading the way through the rest of the home to follow suit)
Simple, clean and effective. Mid-century takes shape! Note this is a current kitchen perfectly restored.
A 1960 kitchen, keeping in line with the 50s and the future. Color is retained, and modern furniture is added.
A 1960 kitchen, which clearly shows the direct line that the kitchens of today have followed.
Joe Armenia is the founder of Campagna, a hybrid design/management company founded in New York.
Joe is a former entertainment marketing executive who gave up show business to placate his inner design junkie. Joe started the company after restoring, renovating and designing his first weekend home, a century old farmhouse in New York’s Hudson Valley. That small beginning led to a bi-coastal company, specializing in "creative curation", staging, color consultation and property design and management.
Currently, Joe designs and manages residences in both San Francisco and New York City.
