Happy Days Are Here Again

By Marni Elyse Katz
August 3, 2011

They say everything old is new again. Nowhere is that more evident than in the realm of style. It’s not just fashion types that reinterpret looks of bygone eras; interior designers reference historical eras constantly, and these days more than ever, they blend pieces from many different periods. Indeed, “eclectic” and “vintage” have been buzzwords for years. Recently, we’ve noticed that old-fashioned sensibilities have gone beyond living rooms and bedrooms, extending into kitchens and bathrooms, too.

For instance, in retail, West Elm, a brand previously known for its streamlined vibe, now has offerings that conjure a decidedly retro sensibility.

West Elm

A display in Boston’s West Elm store showcases the company’s recent dalliance with retro kitchen accessories and lighting.

Los Angeles-based interior designer Jamie Bush, along with Pasadena-based Kajer Architects, were tasked by Walt Disney film producer Don Hahn to gut and remodel his classic 1940s California ranch style house located in the foothills of La Canada, California. Bush tells us that they gave him “an updated version of what the original kitchen should have been," by infusing the space with a mix of ranch and mid-century vintage detailing.

Among the kitchen's retro elements they incorporated are vintage metal, powder-coated pendant lights; a pendant light made of goat skin and bronze; subway tiles in a pale celery, which is a serves as a back drop for the family’s retro Fiestaware dishes; built-ins (like the cool banquette) and floating shelving that true to the period feel, as well as paneling on the breakfast bar. The stainless steel appliances keep it modern, but still in line with the look. The mid-century furniture used includes vintage Norman Cherner bar stools in walnut, vintage chairs by Hans Wegner, and a vintage Eero Saarinen tulip table base.

Happy Days Are Here Again

Powder-coated metal light fixtures, stainless steel and open shelving lend film producer Don Hahn's remodeled 1940s California ranch house kitchen a retro vibe.

Happy Days Are Here Again

For Don Hahn's home, designer Jamie Bush chose vintage mid-century modern furnishings, like a Saarinen pedestal and Hans Wegner chairs, for the breakfast area of Hahn’s kitchen. (photos by Grey Crawford)

In addition to the expansive, high-end kitchen described above, with its mid-century modern sensibility, we examined a 1950s style retro kitchen (think Arnold’s and the Fonz) created by

Boston-based interior designer Brenda Be had a different take on retro with this 1950s style kitchen (think Arnold and the Fonz). She says the kitschy space "is designed to the very specific tastes of its owner, which is definitely not for everyone.” The client, who is a single parent of one child, rarely cooked, so needed very little storage, fridge, and eating space.

The main concept is that of the ‘50s diner infused with industrial modern details and touches you might find in a classic beach cottage. Special features of the retro kitchen include a reclaimed lab cabinet; a custom breakfast bar made from oak butcher block and plumbing pipes; and antique wainscoting finished with a sand textured, slightly distressed grey glaze. The kitchen is not only fun, but also economical, which echoes the decade’s conservative attitudes and values.

Bar Stools

Designer Brenda Be mixed elements of a 1950s diner and casual beach cottage, then blended in some industrial modern decor, when she styled this small kitchen for a single mom.

While eBay has always been a treasure trove of retro finds, these days, more people are looking for the stuff. Intrigued by the 8 percent rise in sales on eBay for items with the listing term "retro kitchen" in the past month compared with one-year prior, we decided to see what we could find.