Discover The Elements Used In The Design Of My Vintage Home

Having designed many kitchens in my career, each is always personal to the homeowner’s style, needs, and likes. Some people have grown up with older appliances in their childhood kitchen and want everything new and modern. Others prefer a more casual, comfortable feel.

I have found that downsizing baby boomers want clean, neat, and sleek. The stainless steel appliance they never had in their kitchen is top of the list. While the younger generation may prefer softer lines, adding a conversation piece with a pop of color to their kitchen design. I have had the traditional kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. This style may seem timeless and suits the interior feel of my loft living space with dark wood floors, brick walls, high ceilings, and wood beams.

A New Retro Kitchen

Moving to a bungalow on the Ocean side, I knew exactly the type of kitchen I wanted to design for this charming space. A kitchen with soft lines and a nostalgic feel adding a retro vibe to the overall space.

Although my retro stove was white and the refrigerator cream, creating a kitchen design around Big Chill’s 36-inch retro gas stove in Beach Blue adds a pop of color to any retro kitchen design. Some colors that will be seen in fashion and home décor this year include soft blues combined with Pantone’s Rose Quartz. Quite a big switch from the taupe and gray color schemes preferred today by homeowners.

When using a colorful appliance, make it the focal point in the room. Accessorizing can be easy and is achieved by choosing lighter cabinets such as cream or off-white. Showcasing your style can be done by selecting the right accessories to complement your appliance. I love the day trip, the excursion for seeking unique and unusual accents. Completing your kitchen design is like going on a scavenger hunt.

One of my found items was located directly in my parent’s storage shed. The old vintage farm scale my grandfather used when selling his vegetables and fruits was on the side of the road in front of the farmhouse. I love this scale as it complements the retro-style stove and the same time adds color along with my beach blue color pan. It’s the perfect pop of color needed in my kitchen, especially when filled with green and red apples and bananas.

Another find was the steel base antique soda fountain stools with the original tangerine vinyl-covered seats. An accent color that perfectly compliments the Big Chill’s Beach Blue retro stove. More pops of color against the white kitchen cabinets was achieved.

Creating Your Retro Kitchen

Instead of using everyday solid dish towels, add to your search vintage dishtowels with color and cookbooks with bindings that have the same pop of color needed in the kitchen. I added my favorite vintage Greek cookbooks. One from my mother and the other with notes written in it from my grandfather.

Also, if a color is needed on the walls, try adding Pantone’s color of the year for 2016. Rose Quartz will contrast nicely on a focal wall or a shade of Serenity. Another way to bring in wall color would be by choosing your contrasting color through wallpaper in a fretwork design. For the color beach blue, I used tangerine and turquoise as accent colors in my kitchen. Another great find was the industrial metal bar stool with its turquoise chippie paint and a worn seat. Color can also be added by finding a vintage fabric for a window treatment over the sink to complement or contrast Beach Blue.

Finding accents of dishware is also a fun and rewarding trip. I was given a white milk glass Sunkist juice squeezer by my uncle. A piece I like to display. These charming vintage items can also be found on your antiquing and picking trips.

Finally, the icing on the cake would be finishing your retro kitchen design with fresh flowers. Choosing tangerine color tulips arranged in an original Pfaltzgraff pot was just the right touch for the countertop. Follow your own style when creating a retro kitchen. Don’t be afraid to step outside the box.

About Debbe Daley

Debbe Daley is New England’s leading interior design expert in the design, decorating, and styling of interior spaces. She is a professional speaker, educator, influencer, and business coach. Debbe also educates creative interior design and home decor enthusiasts and change-of-career-minded individuals at her School of Interiors through courses, mentoring, and hands-on training. Debbe is currently an installed Design Services member for the Boston Design Center.

Contact Debbe at ddaley@daleydesigns.com or (978) 697-0288.