Vintage Kitchen and Breakfast Room Decorating Plan

"Retro decor is a very popular theme in todays' kitchens.  Vintage is in, and it is here to stay. There's nothing like decorating with vintage kitchenware and furnishings from the colorful post-war 1940's or the atomic era of the 1950's to add instant charm and a touch of nostalgia to today's contemporary kitchen." 

"Kitchens are a great place for the family and friends to gather and chat about their day. Sleek lines and bright colors from the 40's and 50's create a homey atmosphere in the kitchen. It brings to mind happy times eating homemade cookies and treats after school which is the reason I chose to decorate in a vintage style."
 
I can get a great 1940’s look without spending a bundle and still be able to fill my kitchen with some nice collectibles. Here's my game plan.

Since I already had my yellow, red, and flame enameled cast iron cookware and these are popular colors from the 40s, I decided to continue with these colors in my decorating plan.  An advantage of the red, yellow, and white theme is I can also add in a fruit theme on top of it like apples or strawberries and in my case, citrus fruit.

"When designing, kitschy means fun but not old. Meaning, your space should inspire frolic and joyous outbursts but certainly not invite ghost-hunters to drop in for lunch. Consider painted white chairs with fun pillows or even stainless steel. Kitschy isn’t your grandmother’s wooden chair. Well, unless it’s slapped with paint and happiness.

When selecting accessories for your kitchen, choose items that scream, “nostalgia” without boring you to pieces. If you shop online, search for items using the terms: bright, vivid, nostalgic or retro. Think about wall decor, linens and your countertop accessories in terms of quirky but tasteful. Think whimsical and full of life, and you can’t go wrong.

In a nutshell, when going for “kitschy,” think quality over quantity. If you have a lot of decor with “quirk,” simplify to show it off. Decor with pizzazz can spark conversation but you definitely don’t want to overload! That’s right, too much of a good thing… can go bad."
With such bright colors I thought it best to have a background of white so as not to distract from the brilliantly colored vintage accessories.  White walls, white enameled cabinetry, white stove, simple white lighting fixtures, black refrigerator, and a black dishwasher.  The yellow tile backsplash and formica countertops will look good with the white cabinetry and I can framed ceramic tile murals on the range walls and on the countertop beside it.  What else could I chose for flooring with this scheme than white and black vinyl tiles in a checkerboard pattern?

Some color coordinated yellow braided throw rugs can add a bit of color to the floor and pull it all together. 

Maybe I will make something like the one I made a few years ago?

Since I am going with a red, yellow, and white 1940's kitchen decorating theme, I am going with  citrus as a secondary theme and will use curtains, aprons, and potholders with those fruits in the motif.

Glass knobs will really jazz up my furniture and cabinets and add an authentic vintage look.
 Accessories for 1940’s style kitchens can be found in antique malls as well as bought brand new.  

Chrome accessories go well with this look.  And I didn't forget the vintage breadbox and canisters - every kitchen had them on the counter and I chose red, yellow, and white to complete my look.

"Nowadays, it really is fashionable to find kitchens and laundry rooms filled with vintage electrics. The small appliances of yesteryear were made of metal, heavier than today’s plastic versions, and they have an appealing vintage look to them. And considering that many older appliances are still working after all these years, including Mom’s iron, maybe newer isn’t always better."

What else could I find for a vintage themed kitchen? Just about everything we use today like chrome toasters, blenders, electric skillets and waffle irons.

My grandmother's table and chairs are a vintage wooden style table with a marble top. The white painted chairs will have jadeite needlepoint fruit motif cushions.  Why not use my dad's collection of jadeite glassware that I can display in my white vintage china cabinet as well as use for dishware
mixed with my Spring Blossom green Corelle?

On the wall behind the breakfast area what about a yellow painted wall of white wicker bookcases holding books, mixed with a white wicker desk and file cabinet? 

Arthuritis Comfort Kitchen Hand Tools

"OXO was founded by Sam Farber, an entrepreneur in the housewares industry. Noticing that his wife Betsey was having difficulty gripping ordinary kitchen tools due to a slight case of arthritis in her hands, he saw an opportunity to create more comfortable cooking tools that would benefit all users. After years of research, the first group of 15 OXO Good Grips kitchen tools was introduced to the U.S. market in 1990."

I sincerely love Oxo Good Grips products for the most part.  I have arthritis in my hands and have had it for many years.  The soft rubber handles feel so comfy and non-slip in my hands I have to love most of their products for this reason alone.  But let me tell you about my favorite Oxo Good Grips products I have not mentioned in other posts.

Salad Dryer

Strainers and Colanders

Bottle and Scrub Brushes

Whisks

Rubber Spatulas

Jar Opener

Key Can Opener

Meat Pounder

Peelers

Basting and Pastry Brushes

Ruler

Can Opener

Grater

Tongs

Masher

Dishers

Citrus Reamer

Vegetable Brush

Garlic Press

Bench Scraper

Measuring Cups


Measuring Spoons

Back Yard Cooking -- Smoking & Grilling Equipment

Charcoal Smoker Grill

I refuse to use a gas grill!  If I want to cook on gas, I will cook inside.  To me, the romance of smoking/grilling is the flavor from the charcoal and/or wood smoke. 

I bought my grill at a Church tag sale for $15 years ago, and it is in great condition.  The brand is Char-Broil and I can not recommend it more highly.  It is large enough to cook for a crowd, but fits nicely in any yard.

"Barbecue grills by Char Broil are manufactured by Home Leisure Group which is owned by W.C Bradley Co. The company is based in Columbus, Georgia. The charcoal grill has made the name Char Broil a world famous brand. Today, they produce charcoal, electric and gas grills and are the largest producers in this field."

"Many people will argue the fact that the best way to cook a decent BBQ is using the charbroil charcoal grills which give off a pleasant smokey taste to meats and other foods. This method of cooking comes from generations ago and even ancient times where huge feasts where prepared on a layer of hot coals. The native Hawaiian people have used this method of cooking for centuries and now it is even easier with the latest designs in BBQ’s.

Covered BBQ’s have the ability to circulate heat just like an oven would however cooking over an open grill is also a great way of preparing meats and other treats. When cooking a roast on the charbroil charcoal grill BBQ you want a BBQ design which has a cover to seal in the heat and cook the roast right through. When cooking sausages, chops of steaks then the open air style of cooking does a perfect job and you will only need the BBQ lid to keep the foods warm once everyone has been served, in case they want a second helping."

A cast iron sewing machine base combined with a top creates my grill side working surface that withstands the elements and gives me space for readying foodstuffs for the grill. 

Dexter Russell Meat Fork

Dexter Turner

Vollrath Tongs

Char-Broil Electric Rotisserie

Charcoal Chimney Starter

Mom's Cast Iron Skillet

My Grandma's Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Does Anyone Use Kitchen Linens Anymore?

When I chose fabric to make curtains and kitchen accessories, I chose this 100% cotton drapery weight fabric because it looked like a modern take on a retro look. Also the fact that the red worked with my red Copco and the yellow worked with my yellow enameled cast iron cookware didn't hurt anything.

The strongest of the natural fibers, cotton is very commonly used as drapery fabric because of its versatility. It dyes well, comes in a wide range of color choices and allows air to pass through it.

I used the same fabric to make a window valance, many potholders, tablecloths for the breakfast area, and lots of aprons.

I bought some really lovely 100% linen fabric in solid red and solid yellow, and I used it to make linen towels.  And I made a LOT of towels, because I refuse to buy paper towels or napkins.  I counted about 24 red towels, and 30 yellow towels. 

I chose linen because, "Made from flax, linen is a natural fiber that has the ability to shed dirt easily. One of the strongest vegetable fibers, it is even stronger when wet and will begin to soften after repeated washing. Linen is also ideal for drying dishes because of its excellent absorption rate. You can use the same cloth when drying pots and pans with the added benefit of lasting years and years. Wash it regularly and allow to dry thoroughly for a long lasting dish cloth."

I didn't want to take the time and effort to braid myself a couple of kitchen runners, so I chose store bought rugs instead. 

Or maybe I will replace my store bought rugs with ones I make myself.  Maybe something like this one.  I made it years ago.

Better Red than Dead

"Red has more personal associations than any other color. Recognized as a stimulant, red is inherently exciting and the amount of red is directly related to the level of energy perceived. Red draws attention and a keen use of red as an accent can immediately focus attention on a particular element.

How the color red affects us physically

• Increases enthusiasm

• Stimulates energy and can increase the blood pressure, respiration, heartbeat, and pulse rate

• Encourages action and confidence

• Provides a sense of protection from fears and anxiety"

This old dishdrainer was just unusual enough to catch my eye, so when I saw it, I bought it.

I know this is a Bigen coffee pot, but that is not what I use it for.  I keep it by the stove and when frying bacon, I drain the grease into it.  When I need the grease for frying, I just warm the pot on the stove and pour it out.

I have talked about how much I love Copco enameled cast iron cookware before, and I told you about my Aunt Kathyrn's red set that I now have.  I love it.

One of the first pieces of enameled cast iron I bought was this flame Descoware pot.

And how can I leave the subject of red without mentioning my red and white Robot Coupe R2 food processor again.

My mother had a patient at the V.A. Hospital she worked at make me this gorgeous pig bread board when I was 5 years old.  It has held a place of honor in EVERY kitchen I have ever worked in.

Setting the Breakfast Table

I hate lightweight thin casual glassware.  I think glasses should feel substantial in the hand, so you KNOW you have a glass in your hand.  I found some of these glasses one day in the thrift shop.  I kept my eyes open for more, and discovered they were made by Libbey and the pattern is called Chivalry.  They are marketed to restaurants and sold in restaurant supply stores.

I hate flimsy cheap flatware with a passion!  I tried this type, and that type until I visited my friendly neighborhood used restaurant supply store one day.  They had a bin of what I later learned was Vollrath pistol grip flatware.  They sold me the whole bin for about $8.  I counted them later and found I had about 25 place settings.  These feel good in my hand and I have been very satisfied.

Way back in the mid 1970s, I bought a set of 4 of Corelle Spring Blossom green dishes.  My grandmother had a set also.  Over the years I found more and more at thrift shops and gave them to my mother and my grandmother.  When my mom and grandmother passed away, I found myself the owner of upwards of 30 place settings!  I will never buy paper plates, cause if one of these breaks I'll never miss it. 

I bought these dishes because they are dishwasher, oven, and microwave safe.  They are also lightweight and comfortable to use compared to stoneware or ironstone.  Isn't it odd that I like heavy flatware and heavy glassware, but lightweight dishware?

It goes without saying I had to have the matching pyrex mixing bowls!

It is difficult for me to admit, but I guess I'll have to just spit it out.  Years before I had EVER heard of Martha Stewart, my father and I collected Jadite dishware.  So at first when I saw her on TV showing off her collection I was gratified to see my taste validated.  Then, the world jumped on the Jadite glass bandwagon and we were drowned in reproductions and go with accessories.  I began to resent the intense love affair the world was having with this glassware.  I even found out recently that Paula Deen collects Jadite dishware.

So as a stand alone, or mixed with the Spring Blossom green Corelle, my Jadite dishes are welcome additions to my breakfast table.