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As always, thank you for reading and have a great day!!

Retro Thursday: 1970s Kitchen

After the 1960s, kitchens began to change a bit. The oven and range became one unit instead of two separate appliances. Instead of tile countertops like before, people used Formica counters in the 1970s. The popular colors of the 1970s were also different from before. Kitchens were shaded in outdoorsy or “earthy” colors like avocado green, burnt orange, or harvest yellow. Appliances were shaded with colors like these as well. Cabinets were wood that was usually stained with a dark brown. It was also popular for cabinets not to have door handles. 

Below is a picture of a 1970s kitchen. As you can see, the cabinets are a dark brown color. The range and stove are one unit. The harvest gold color is being used in this kitchen as well. The kitchen counter is Formica. Everything is matching which was a popular feature in 1970s kitchens.

Here you can see the harvest gold color again. The laminate floor was popular in the 1970s.

Here is an example of an avocado green kitchen. The color extends from the countertops to the oven/range and the hood. Also, the dark brown cabinet color is not only on the cabinets; check out the microwave!

The cabinets are beginning to be a little bit lighter into the late 1970s. Check out the avocado green carpet in this kitchen!

Here is an example of the red copper color used in some 1970s kitchens. This looks like a combination of a 1960s and 1970s kitchen with the brick wall and wood cabinets from the sixties and the harvest gold countertops and wall paper and patterned flooring from the seventies. 

Although the 1970s were a change from previous decades, this is the type of kitchen that a lot of this generation’s parents probably grew up in and remembers. A lot of kitchens today all have so many similarities because everyone wants to have the latest models of everything like granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. In the 1970s, people attempted to be unique and original in their kitchens and you don’t see a lot of that today.

Pictures are courtesy of uglyhousephotos.com.

The Cost of Kitchen Renovations

 On average, we've found that kitchen renovation costs between $15,000 and $20,000 when you don't spend on appliances. It can cost up to $45,000 with appliances. With these numbers, on average kitchen remodels cost $27000. The cost of your kitchen remodel can vary according to what region you live in, the materials used, the design you want, your budget, and the quality of appliances you buy.

According to msnbc.msn.com you should plan wisely before renovating your kitchen. They say not to the stove or the sink because it costs more to do plumbing or electrician work and you want to avoid that cost. Also, you should plan your lighting needs ahead of time so it will go along with the electrical work. Most kitchen cabinet stores will plan the layout for your kitchen for free or do measurements for a price and deduct that price if you hire them to do the installation. You can also save on buying lower quality appliances. It all depends on the look you are attempting to attain with your kitchen remodel. You should compare the price of your potential kitchen remodel with the cost of your home and see if it's worth it.

For more information on this topic, please look at the comments on this blog. You can compare your kitchen renovation cost along with the price other people have spent on their kitchen remodel and see if you are spending too much.

If you want to figure out how to budget your kitchen remodel, you can take a look at this site as well. 

Take a LoOk at 1960s Kitchens!

The 1960s were a time of many changes including the assassination of John and Robert Kennedy, the Vietnam war, the Civil rights movement led by later assassinated Martin Luther King, and the landing of America on the moon by Neil Armstrong. These changes are definitely demonstrated throughout the designs in the American 1960s kitchens. Maybe the kitchens changed so much because people couldn’t control what was happening around them so they decided to focus on what they could control, their kitchen. Or maybe people were just ready for a change. Whatever the case, 1960s kitchens expressed many different styles with lots of bright colors mixed with steel and an outdoorsy look.

Pictures below are from www.retrorenovation.com

The picture below shows the bright colors that accentuated the sixties with the yellow and blue. Pay special attention to the backsplash and how the pattern matches the blue countertops. Also notice the wood top and bottom cabinetry which was very popular in the 1960s.

Retro Renovation Post

This picture demonstrates a variety of elements that were popular in 1960s kitchens. First of all, notice the thick laminate countertops with the unique pattern which became popular in the early 1960s. Also, the laminate pattern on the cabinets was a popular decoration in the ‘60s.The steel mixed with laminate was popular in the ‘60s. Small tiling on the floor was a popular item in the ‘60s as well along with the brick walls around the windows.

Retro Renovation Post

This picture is a great example of the “outdoorsy” look that 1960s kitchens seemed to accentuate. A lot of 1960s kitchens were all about bringing the outdoors inside which is somewhat popular in today’s kitchens. This kitchen has two different patterns of brick, wooden cabinets, and beige colors. The grill in the kitchen was popular in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s.

Retro Renovation Post

This picture is from a 1966 kitchen. It is a great example of the laminate patterns that were so popular in the ‘60s. The wood cabinetry is also seen in this kitchen therefore combining the outdoorsy look and laminate look. 

Retro Renovation Post

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Most Modern Kitchens

We thought it would be fun if we found websites with the most modern kitchen designs and introduced them to our fans. Some of the modern kitchen designs don’t look much different than kitchens that some of you might have. If you think your kitchen could fit the profile of a modern style kitchen or you have modern pieces or appliances in your kitchen then send us a picture of it and if we agree with you, then we’ll post it on our social media sites!

http://freshome.com/2010/06/11/25-modern-kitchen-designs-that-will-rock-your-cooking-world/

http://www.trendir.com/archives/001791.html

http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/top-10-modern-kitchen-design-trends/

http://www.remodelingmyspace.com/kitchen/kitchen-designs-design-ideas/photos-modern-kitchen-design-pictures.htm

http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/kitchen

http://dornob.com/modern-kitchen-design-inspiration-luxurious-layouts/

http://www.servicemagic.com/resources.dg.Kitchens.27.41.html

Retro Thursdays: 1950s Kitchen

Through the years, kitchen styles have changed quite a bit. We’ve gone from a bright and colorful kitchen, to a more modern and sleeker look. There are even styles that have come and gone like the kitchen island or bottom drawer freezer. Today we are going to take a look at the style of the 1950s kitchen to let you see how different it is from today’s kitchen.

In America in the 1950s, almost all women were stay-at-home mothers or homemakers. So the kitchen style of the ‘50s was developed around the atmosphere of women constantly going in and out of their kitchens. Everything in the kitchen was in a convenient and organized location. There was even a washer and dryer in most kitchens because at the time, there was the assumption that a mother would need to do laundry while she was cooking or cleaning. There was also usually an eat-in bar area or small kitchen table in most kitchens so that women could easily feed their families without having to move out of the kitchen. Although only 4% of the population had them by the end of the 1950s, dishwashers were developed so that women could spend less time washing dishes, and more time with family. The dishwashers were not normally placed on the floor either, like they are today. Most dishwashers were installed high enough off the floor so that one would not have to bend down far to take dishes in and out of it. “Roto-tray automatic” dishwashers were also created for cleaner and more convenient washing.Television sets also became more popular in kitchens as the percentage of Americans with televisions rose from 20% in 1950 to 88% in 1960. Refrigerators changed in the 1950s as well. Although some families stuck with the smaller refrigerators, advertisements for larger refrigerators like the foodarama became more prevalent. Another appliance that improved was the range. Electric ranges developed into gas ranges for faster cooking.

Another interesting feature of the 1950s kitchen was its overall look and appeal. In the beginning of the 1950s, kitchens were brightly colored. Some were green and yellow, some blue and green, and some were even pink! Not only were the walls or cabinets, and sometimes the floors brightly painted, some of the kitchen appliances also varied in colors. Even the 1950s dining chairs were splashed with color. The chairs tended to be tulip chairs, although some people had booths at their dining tables. Lots of cabinet space was another feature in the 1950s kitchen. Some families began to add drawers into their cabinets to add more space. Colorful single-basin sinks were a popular item in the 1950s kitchen, as well. Not until the late ‘50s did kitchens begin to have double-basin sinks.

As the 1950s continued and it got closer to the ‘60s, kitchens began to change a little into a more “outdoorsy” feel. The linoleum kitchen tile seemed to turn to a more neutral color like beige, black, or white. Kitchen cabinets were normally made out of birchwood and were colored in less bright colors like pale yellows, greens, and brown. Some kitchen countertops were made out of steel so that hot pans could be set on them and not leave a mark. A copper lining was added to some of the appliances as well, like the range, for a more brassy look.

Although, kitchens changed a lot during the 1950s, one thing stayed the same; kitchens were the center for everything a woman during that time was presumed to need. This will change as the decades progress, and you will see the difference it makes as we continue our journey into the kitchens of America by the decade on “Retro Thursdays.”

The above picture is from http://retrorenovation.com/. This a kitchen from 1953. Notice the bright colors, the television, the laundry area, and the little sitting area.

The above picture is from http://retrorenovation.com/. This is a picture of a kitchen from 1956. Notice the “outdoorsy” look and feel to it. The dishwasher on the left is off the floor. Also notice the single basin sink and the little sitting area on the bottom left.

Kitchen Remodel Nightmare!

Recently we heard news about a retired couple who had an unexpected problem when trying to remodel their kitchen. They ended up having to pay for their countertops twice due to the negligence of another company! The video peaked our curiosity so we did some research on how to prevent kitchen remodeling problems from happening to you.

One way to prevent kitchen remodel problems is to hire a kitchen designer or visit your local kitchen design center. You might think that hiring a kitchen designer would be expensive, but it will be more cost effective in the long run. They are experienced and knowledgeable. They will plan a schedule for your kitchen remodel and stick with it, saving you time. They will save you money as well because they will be able to avoid the damages you might encounter on your own. Kitchen designers are skilled professionals and they know what types of questions to ask in regards to making your dream a reality. They might even give you ideas that you haven’t thought about before. They are also familiar with the certified suppliers and installers in your area.

Designers will help you avoid the problems you might sustain while looking for an installer yourself. We have referenced an article below that will explain what types of questions should be answered before the countertop installer is hired and if you’re remodeling yourself, how you can go about answering these questions. These questions include “Is the installer experienced, have you had a chance to see some of his work, is the installer easy to deal with, does the installer have the appropriate insurance and contractor’s license, will the job be finished in a timely manner, and are the labor and materials covered under warranty?”

Your neighborhood kitchen or home design center can help you choose the color of your countertops or cabinets. After they help you, they can give you a list of insured installers in your area. You can find installers in your phone book or internet directory as well. After you find an installer make sure to interview them even if you already have reviews from friends or family members. During the interview you can ask for referrals from previous clients that the installer has worked for. If you can talk to those clients/homeowners, you can ask them how the installer was to work with. If you don’t receive all positive feedback, you should consider the possibility of continuing the search for a different installer or further researching the feedback you receive.
http://www.countertop.com/articles/wiarticle.aspx?aid=7