Kitchens

KITCHENS; Then and Now.

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The 1950s kitchen was considered the first great age of the "modern kitchen". Labor-saving bubble shaped appliances, bright colors and the novelty of fitted units moved the kitchen from darkness into light, where it became the domain of a happy housewife and the heart of the home.

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The 1960s shifted from steel cabinets to wood. Pendant lighting, breakfast bars and repeat patterned wallpaper throughout became a big part of the kitchen style. Colored appliances were still quite prevalent, but the favored colors began to shift, from pastels to more bold, robust colors like harvest yellow and avocado green, which matched better with wood tones

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The 1970s introduced the “modern” kitchens. Kitchens became a standard feature of almost every American home, and the focus shifted to creating kitchens to suit the individual homeowner and reflect their unique style. Color had always been a popular element in the kitchen, but ‘70s kitchens were abundant with color and pattern

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In the 1980s, a kitchen that was isolated from the rest of the house by walls and doors wasn’t conducive to family togetherness. Moreover, the kitchen itself was usually too small to accommodate children at play, without them being underfoot. So the larger, more"open" kitchen became desirable, and floor plans shifted accordingly.  Euro-Style cabinets were a big trend in the 80s that brightened the kitchen with white cabinets but still incorporated wood accents. The cabinet doors were either a painted slab wood cabinet or a white slab laminate cabinet door with wood trim and no handles

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The 1990s interior design was all about making the home feel comfy, cozy, and livable. This was reflected in kitchen design with the rise of the country farmhouse aesthetic, adorned with wood cabinets, hunter green walls and floral fabrics. Light oak finishes and all white appliances were on trend. And many people put away their countertop appliances and knick-knacks in exchange for a simple fruit bowl.

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A kitchen staple of the 2000's was stainless steel appliances. Though stainless steel appliances do give off a more industrial look, their neutral tone complements most kitchen styles. These were used in excess with granite countertops. Cherry wood cabinets, chocolate brown walls, shabby chic, and tuscan style décor, were taking over homes in kitchens nationwide.

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In the 2010s, shades of whites, off-white, browns and beige hues were the most common kitchen colors. Cherry would remain as the most popular wood for kitchen cabinetry, followed closely by maple. The tried-and-true range continues to serve as the workhorse for cooking, although the combination of a cooktop and wall oven began to overtake it. Gas will maintain its position as the most popular type of cooktop over electric, although induction cooking continues to gain in popularity due to its energy efficiency.

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Today's Kitchens see traditional kitchens evolving and expanding. There will be larger – and even double – kitchen islands integrated to accommodate larger entertaining and gathering space in the kitchen. Natural light is also preferred by most homeowners. Minimizing upper cabinets and opting for lower ones, allowing windows (operable and non) to be a "feature" as much as a function. Many kitchens opt for cabinets to be confined to one wall or one portion of the kitchen, so we can keep the rest clean and light-filled. While all-white kitchens will always be in style, we're seeing a shift away from the monochrome look in favor of mixed materials and pops of high-contrast paint applications. The core of the classic white kitchen remains, but black painted or gold stained finishes are showing up more often. A butcher-block island is not only stylish, but incredibly functional and durable. For added functionality, many used a butcher-block island that has a mini fridge for extra storage space and plenty of cabinets where you can keep larger appliances hidden. Designers and homeowners are integrating metal workonto drawers, doors and shelving. Also, dark colors and mixed materials are still really popular, which adds sophistication to the room. Painted kitchen islands, painted floors and cabinets are also more popular in today's kitchens. These spaces are no longer just for cooking. We are storytelling, reminiscing and creating in our kitchens.