1950's Kitchens.

[midcenturyfan]

I am planning on refurbishing my kitchen in a 1950's style. I have bought some "English Rose" kitchen units, that I am going to restore and install.

I would be very grateful for any ideas on kitchen design and colour schemes of the period.

Thanks,

Robin.

 

[sonnyndad]

Congratulations!

On deciding to get a kitchen that actually looks good. I think that all these new appliances look terrible. I plan to get a vintage kitchen, as well. But that's not going to happen for a few years.

 

[suckolux]

Would LOVE to have one like that to play with!!

 

[danemodsandy]

Robin:

I don't know if you're familiar with this Planet Sputnik page on English Rose kitchens, but it packs a lot of information into one place:

http://www.planet-sputnik.com/english-rose-kitchen-blog/

The article mentions Source Antiques in Bath as a firm specializing in English Rose units, including the manufacture of spares. Their Website is:

http://www.source-antiques.co.uk/

I would also suggest a look at Sophie Leighton's excellent book, The 1950s Home. It was published in 2009 by Shire Books. It is written entirely from a British perspective; the author is a curator at the Victoria & Albert. The book is a small paper-bound one, but again, 'good stuff in little room,' with a lot of vintage adverts and photos included. And it's very reasonably priced at £5.99. The Shire Books Website is:

www.shirebooks.co.uk

I hope something here helps a bit.

 

[midcenturyfan]

Fantastic. Thank you very much.

Robin.

 

[petek]

Have you looked at the mid century modern group on Facebook



http://https//www.facebook.com/groups/midcenturymoderndesign/

 

[midcenturyfan]

Thanks for the link.

Robin.

 

[midcenturyfan]

I was interested to see kitchen units like mine on a recent episode of the television series "Call The Midwife".

 

[vacbear58]

English Rose

As you have already found out, English Rose was produced by a former air craft factory after WW2. I don't know the exact date when production started but the earliest reference I have seen for them is in a 1950 edition of Ideal Home, in a new house layout, which co-incidentally also includes earliest reference I have seen to a Bendix automatic washer.

Very ahead of their time, they were the first "modular" fitted kitchens I have seen - I have seen other fitted kitchens in the UK but they have been bespoke productions by carpenters. Not only that, but they were the first to have integrated appliances produced for them as well

Fridge & Freezer

 

[vacbear58]

English Rose

Cooker

(I think this was manufactured by Revo). I have memories of seeing a gas version of this cooker as well

 

[ronni]

My grandmother's house, built in 1955, had a kitchen decorated in pink and turquoise hues. I wasn't alive at the time but was told that, so I don't have any more details.

Apparently, she got the design ideas from BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS magazine.

 

[midcenturyfan]

Thank you both for the information and pictures.

Robin.