I've seen this placement in some pictures of retro kitchens from the 1950's. Maybe it was a style for the 1920's too (or whatever era her kitchen is).

It seems impractical.

I have seen that when existing holes were used. So it must have been in style at some point in the past.

It never has looked right to me.

Function?
No.
Looks ... impractical?
Yes.

The cabinets are new, so pull placement was intentional. She does have ties to 50s Hollywood and maybe that's a look she's after. There's also the shocking pink lipstick wall color.

I'm going to theorize, in the days of sticking inset cabinet doors, (i.e., before air conditioning), that the placement was a practical consideration. Practical in the sense that it was best to yank a sticking door from the center of the door rather than, if the pull was on the lower corner, putting a lot of stress on the bottom rail/stile door joint.

Oh, and the builders back in the 20's, 30's, etc. didn't have the great glues (Titebond, et.al) that we have now.

I don't care for the pull placement, but I'm very impressed that you snapped a picture to post for us!

mpagmom, I know, what have I turned into? I didn't take a photo of the grunge under the negative sink reveal, but gave a silent prayer of thanks that I went with a positive reveal.

When you start taking pictures of negative-sink-reveal grunge, it's time to go to TKO rehab.

Many things about this kitchen I would question (contrast between cab and pull colors; display items behind glass cab) and mid-cab pull placement is one I've often wondered about (question answered with this pic: NO). But I also am wondering what excuse you used to snap the picture and turn upside down to see the grunge under the negative reveal. That would be a funny conversation!

What's the backsplash to the right? Over the sink?

There was a crowd of us having a fun time, prepping food in the kitchen, drinking wine, snapping photos. Everyone has their iPhones out these days snapping pics, no biggie, no one thinks anything of it. So no one went, what the hell are you doing?

onedogedie, the backsplash over the sink is the counter material, which is a black quartz with some sparkles. Other than over the sink, the only backsplash is a 4-inch strip. There's no b/s behind the $10K 6-burner Dacor range, except glossy lipstick pink paint.

javachik, I actually like the look of the glass-fronted cabs. There were many more than these. I'm not a proponent of having whatever you display needing to be perfectly coordinated and placed. The stuff that showed actually softened the rest of the look. I didn't need to turn upside down to see the grunge under the negative reveal, as it was visibly making its way beyond the reveal. In fairness, it could have been the mineral content of the well water, but it didn't look good.

I find the contents of the glass cabs charming :-)

pawa, I'm with you on that. It was the best part of the kitchen.

Hmmmmmm...ties to 1950's Hollywood, short stature, lipstick pink walls...is it Debbie Reynolds' kitchen?

No, don't tell me!! It's more fun to speculate! :)

mama_goose!!! The homeowner's mom was on contract with RKO, not a big name, although there are photos of her with Rita Hayworth scattered about.