Today's kitchen is no longer the forgotten room of the house, unseen except by cooks. In these informal, and servantless times, it is the housewife's living room, the hub of the house for the entire family, the room everybody seems to gravitate to- ward during a party. As an important part of the house, it deserves the attention you give to any other room, and a color scheme that is related to the rest of the house. An attractive kitchen needn't sacrifice efficiency. In fact, in HOUSE & GARDEN's House of Ideas, the kitchen is more efficient than ever before because it must do double duty. Only 12 by 17 feet in size, it is actually a laundry-kitchen. But it is exciting to enter and fun to linger in, as well as a pleasure to work in.
Its mainspring is the central peninsula formed by backing the sink and dishwasher against the clothes washer and ironer. (This plan locates all plumbing in one spot, a construction cost-saver.) A peninsula plan, which can be used in any kitchen, not only gives you extra wall space, it also makes each center more compact and is thus a step-saver. Notice the order in which equipment is placed. The dishwasher is next to the sink so that rinsed plates can be put right in without taking an extra step (garbage disposer is in the sink). Traffic proceeds from sink to work counter to burner (or oven) to assembly point for serving without an extra step or back-tracking. Built-ins are another important feature of this kitchen. They save space, eliminate dusting, and give the room an uncluttered look. Not only are the completely equipped storage cabinets built in, but also the refrigerator, cooking units, dishwasher, ironer (which folds under a counter), and the breakfast bar. All the cabinets have natural birch doors: insides are steel, enameled in terra cotta color. Terra cotta is repeated in laundry equipment and wall colors. Formica counter tops, all in a dove-gray linen pattern, are a delight to look at as well as to use. The linoleum floor is in muted tones of gray, white, terra cotta. White split bamboo curtains can be drawn across the wide window. A study of the pictures on these pages will prove that this kitchen not only does an efficient job in small space, but is inviting to the family and a room to show proudly to visitors.
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source: House and Garden Magazine | January 1953
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