The kitchen in this 1950’s home needed a complete overhaul. It was dark, outdated and inefficient. The homeowners wanted to give the space a modern feel without losing the 50’s vibe that is consistent throughout the rest of the home. The homeowner’s needs included: - Working within a fixed space, though reconfiguring or moving walls was okay - Incorporating work space for two chefs - Creating a mudroom - Maintaining the existing laundry chute - A concealed trash receptacle The new kitchen makes use of every inch of space. To maximize counter and cabinet space, we closed in a second exit door and removed a wall between the kitchen and family room. This allowed us to create two L shaped workspaces and an eat-in bar space. A new mudroom entrance was gained by capturing space from an existing closet next to the main exit door. The industrial lighting fixtures and wrought iron hardware bring a modern touch to this retro space. Inset doors on cabinets and beadboard details replicate details found throughout the rest of this 50’s era house.

We decided on a retro look for our new kitchen with lots of display shelving, happy colors, laminate counters (no cracking!), a chubby old stove, period details and “linoleum” flooring.

A retro 1950’s kitchen featuring green custom colored cabinets with glass door mounts, under cabinet lighting, pullout drawers, and Lazy Susans. To contrast with the green we added in red window treatments, a toaster oven, and other small red polka dot accessories. A few final touches we made include a retro fridge, retro oven, retro dishwasher, an apron sink, light quartz countertops, a white subway tile backsplash, and retro tile flooring. Home located in Humboldt Park Chicago. Designed by Chi Renovation & Design who also serve the Chicagoland area and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, and all of the way up to Lake Forest. For more about Chi Renovation & Design, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/portfolio/1950s-retro-humboldt-park-kitchen/

A remodeled retro kitchen mixed with a few original architectural elements of this Spanish home. Highlights here are aqua glazed lava stone counter tops, custom designed hand silk-screened fabrics, and children's art inside the upper cabinet panels. To know more about this makeover, please read the "Houzz Tour" feature article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/32975037/list/houzz-tour-midcentury-meets-mediterranean-in-california Bernard Andre photography.

Mike Kaskel
Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash and white appliances

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized 1950s u-shaped vinyl floor and multicolored floor eat-in kitchen idea in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, colored appliances, an island and black countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized 1960s u-shaped vinyl floor and multicolored floor eat-in kitchen idea in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, colored appliances, an island and black countertops

Mid-sized mid-century modern u-shaped vinyl floor and multicolored floor eat-in kitchen photo in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, colored appliances, an island and black countertops

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized 1960s u-shaped vinyl floor and multicolored floor eat-in kitchen idea in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, colored appliances, an island and black countertops

Example of a mid-sized mid-century modern u-shaped vinyl floor and multicolored floor eat-in kitchen design in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, colored appliances, an island and black countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized 1960s u-shaped vinyl floor and multicolored floor eat-in kitchen remodel in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, colored appliances, an island and black countertops

Example of a mid-sized 1950s u-shaped vinyl floor and multicolored floor eat-in kitchen design in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, colored appliances, an island and black countertops

The live edge countertop, reclaimed wood from an urban street tree, creates space for dining. The compact kitchen includes two burners, a small sink, and a hotel room sized refrigerator. photos by Michele Lee Willson

Example of a mid-sized mid-century modern u-shaped linoleum floor and multicolored floor kitchen design in Santa Barbara with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, laminate countertops, white appliances, a double-bowl sink, an island and white countertops

If “desert retro” could be translated as a design style, this MCM-inspired kitchen would be it. Our goal for these clients — a young couple who recently relocated to the Pittsburgh-area from Phoenix, AZ — was to bring a touch of the sunny Sonoran into their new home. This subdued, sun-bleached palette feels both vibrant and earthy. A dramatic, shifting landscape that comes alive with the day’s changing light. Large format terrazzo tiles ground the space with muted, dusty green, ochre and amber. A nod to the tough skins of cacti, agave, and creosote bushes. A mixed finish glass tile backsplash adds pale yellow accents found in parched sand dunes. Three different cabinet finishes form our rocky canyons. Deep brown and clay purple hues like ancient cliff faces stained by manganese and iron oxide. Washed out skies reflecting warm white light. Golden brass details throughout gleam like the desert sun. By removing a wall in between the kitchen and dining room, we were able to add a working peninsula and pull the range out of the corner. This change opened up the space, solving layout and storage puzzles for our clients — without making the kitchen feel cold or contemporary. Smooth, slab-style cabinet faces paired with streamlined appliances and fixtures keep things low maintenance.

Sunny Yellow Retro Kitchen remodel. We Designed and laid the floors ourselves!
Inspiration for a mid-sized mid-century modern u-shaped linoleum floor and multicolored floor kitchen remodel in Santa Barbara with white cabinets, laminate countertops, white appliances, shaker cabinets, a double-bowl sink, an island and white countertops

Example of a mid-sized 1960s u-shaped vinyl floor and multicolored floor eat-in kitchen design in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, colored appliances, an island and black countertops

If you want a touch of color in your eclectic kitchen, like this kitchen with red appliances and blue cabinets, then Smeg's Portofino 36" Dual-Fuel Range, Portofino 36" Chimney Hood, and FAB Retro Refrigerator are a great addition. If you want to add more color and style, Smeg's Small Appliances, Like the Toaster and Blender, come in a variety of colors for every taste.