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The firm enlisted their Parisian carpenter to make the cabinets in the "Frey style and color"—stained maple topped with cream-colored quartz. Appliances are all Bertazzoni except for the refrigerator and freezer, which is a Frigidaire Professional. The brick wall would not have been original, but the firm kept it and hand-painted the surface in the style of Le Corbusier’s Parisian apartment. This midcentury kitchen was well-positioned so the updates maintained its original footprint, adding plenty of storage space for all the family's cooking and dining essentials. Jennifer fell in love with design at a young age and has been working in the industry for over 25 years.
6 lessons in retro style from a smart, smooth kitchen with a hint of 50s glamor - Homes & Gardens
6 lessons in retro style from a smart, smooth kitchen with a hint of 50s glamor.
Posted: Tue, 20 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
White Marble Backsplash
A pop of color is always a good idea and could make a great statement piece. Don't be afraid to get creative with your seating - mixing and matching different designs is part of what makes this style so special. If you're worried about an oddly shaped island not fitting into your kitchen layout, don't be - there are plenty of ways to make it work. You could try positioning the island in the center of the room or placing it at an angle in one of the corners.
Lemon Wallpaper
This can help add the lines that make up the Midcentury modern style, while also offering versatility to elevate your kitchen and infuse it with the classic charm. This basement kitchen in a guest suite nods to the past with midcentury-inspired pendant lighting. The black domed fixtures coordinate with sleek black countertops and open shelving. Easy-to-clean purple industrial stools add color while maintaining practicality. Glass-front doors on a wall of maple cabinets showcase an artisan dishware collection.
Architecture

Light blues, blush pinks, or pale yellows can add a touch of retro sweetness to your space. These gentle hues create a calming and soothing atmosphere while still maintaining the vintage charm. The kitchen cabinets are custom-made from 100-year-old wood purchased at Sliverado Salvage. There’s a breakfast nook and a nine-foot island finished in Tadelakt, a waterproof plaster often used in Moroccan architecture, creating a communal and open space that flows into the living room.
Soft lilac cabinets (Calluna by Farrow & Ball) and a sunny yellow stove finish the room off with funky appeal. A concise whole-home palette of primary hues colors this midcentury modern-inspired abode overlooks the Puget Sound outside of Seattle. Becoming popular in the 1970s, skylights provide natural light in hardworking areas of your home, like the kitchen. This space features skylights that accentuate the clean, angled lines of the ceiling, acting as an aid to the large island pendants. This MCM kitchen has ample storage, plenty of prep space, and a dining area right at the end of the island.
Ashley McCollum is a Marketing Manager and color expert for PPG’s Architectural Coatings business in the U.S. and Canada. Prior to joining PPG in 2017, Ashley's career was heavily focused on color and visual merchandising for retail environments. Ashley earned her MBA in Marketing/Management from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.
Add Some Height
The use of wood extended beyond cabinetry to include paneling, flooring, and even ceiling beams, creating a cohesive and inviting environment. The use of such bold colors was not just a stylistic choice but also a reflection of the era’s technological advancements in paint and material production. These developments allowed for a broader range of colors and finishes in kitchen designs, something that had not been possible before. Emerging towards the tail end of the MCM movement, terrazzo finishes quickly picked up steam as a popular choice for countertops, floors, and more.
Organic Silhouettes
If you're lucky, your cabinets might be made of natural wood, and with a little sanding and stripping, you can reveal what's hidden under layers of paint and varnish. Small additions of wood can also go a long way when creating a Midcentury modern kitchen. Or, swap your glass and metal light fixtures with brands like Peared Creation and Tom Raffield, who integrate wood with other finishes and materials.
Midcentury Modern Kitchen Ideas
David Henig, Architect, created such a lovely and cutting-edge kitchen design. This kitchen design is excellent and resembles one from a fine dining establishment. In this kitchen design by Wiedemann Architects LLC, everything seems to be streamlined and uncluttered. It was a unique touch to include wood pillars in the kitchen in our architectural design. Helen is the Creative Director at deVOL, a leading kitchen design company that mixes classic and contemporary.
Choose materials that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical for kitchen use. Incorporating a mix of natural and man-made materials can create an authentic mid-century feel while ensuring durability and ease of maintenance. Metal also found its way into mid-century kitchens, not just in appliances but in cabinetry hardware, light fixtures, and as accents. Stainless steel and chrome were particularly favored for their sleek look and durability, complementing the clean lines of the cabinetry. Wood was a predominant material in mid-century kitchens, with teak, walnut, and oak being particularly popular. These woods were often used in their natural form, showcasing their grain and texture, which added warmth and organic beauty to the kitchen space.
To make the most of your square footage, consider incorporating an era-specific storage solution into your kitchen. In summary, the ideal mid-century modern kitchen is one that balances aesthetic appeal with practical design. It’s a space that’s not just for cooking but also for living, reflecting the era’s emphasis on simplicity, functionality, and a connection with the world outside.
From refrigerators to ovens and even toasters, there are plenty of options available that blend modern technology with retro charm. Prepare to be transported to a bygone era where sleek lines, organic forms, and timeless elegance reign supreme. Mid-century kitchen design ideas have stood the test of time, captivating design enthusiasts with its unique blend of functionality, aesthetics, and retro charm.
In this moody space by Katie Betyar of Solstice Interiors, inky black cabinets add weight to lighter MCM elements, such as a reeded wood oven hood and terrazzo countertops. Clean lines and simplistic silhouettes are a hallmark of mid-century modern design, and in kitchens, that often means cabinetry profiles that embrace a back-to-basics ethos. In this sleek space, designer Abbie Naber paired slab-front wood cabinetry with a streamlined layout and standout stone for a kitchen that stands the test of time.