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Decorating Your Kitchen
With A 1940's Retro Theme
These days kitchen décor comes in all colors,
sizes
and eras. One fun way to decorate your kitchen is with a bit of 1940’s
nostalgia. Painted cabinets, glass knobs, and vintage linens combined
with new appliances that have a retro look can give you a unique and
functional kitchen.
You can get a great 1940’s look without
spending a bundle and still be able to fill your kitchen with some nice
collectibles. Here’s some ideas on how you can get a 1940’s look in
your kitchen.
Colors
Some popular colors from this era
include jadeite and a red and white theme. You can find plenty of
vintage accents to fill your kitchen for either one of these color
schemes. Why not start a collection of jadeite that you can display in
open cabinets as well as use for dishware? You can jazz the place up
with vintage wooden handle gadgets that are painted jadite and cream.
If you are going for the red and white theme, there are plenty of red
vintage kitchen ware gadgets out there and vintage linens can really
perk up the place. Another advantage of the red and white theme is you
can also add in a fruit theme on top of it like apples or strawberries.
I would leave the walls a neutral color - white of off
white so that it does not detract from all your great accessories.
Linoleum flooring in a checkerboard pattern would be perfect. Some
color coordinated throw rugs can add a bit of color to the floor and
pull it all together.
Lighting
Simple
lighting is best. You can buy vintage ceiling lights and wall sconces
if you want a really authentic look. Of course you'll want to make sure
you have enough task lighting so some modern lights will have to be
worked in. I suggest you make them as subtle as possible so they don't
look out of place.
Window Treatments
Use
vintage curtains for your windows. You can buy them with complimentary
colors and great patterns. If you can't find curtains make some out of
vintage dish towels or tablecloths - you can buy tablecloths that have
stains in 1 area pretty cheaply and then just use the good area for the
curtains! If you are going with a red and white 1940's kitchen
decorating theme, you might want to pick either cherries or apples as a
secondary theme and look for curtains with those fruits in the motif.
Furniture
Glass
knobs will really jazz up your furniture and cabinets and add an
authentic vintage look. If you have painted cabinets in either white or
cream, try the green glass knobs. Your table and chairs should either
be a chrome vintage style dinette (you can buy these new and you can
still get vintage ones as well), or a vintage wooden style table with
enamel top. If you can’t find either of these, you can buy any type
table and hide it with a vintage tablecloth.
Accessories
Accessories
for 1940’s style kitchens can be found in antique malls as well as
bought brand new. Soften up the room by hanging vintage tablecloths and
tea towels around. Chrome appliances go well with this look as do the
retro style appliances you can buy brand new these days. And don't
forget the vintage breadbox and canisters - every kitchen had them on
the counter and you can choose from chrome or enamel in cream and
green, or red and white to complete your look.
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