Inspiration - Classic Kitchens

The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, a gathering place where friends and family come together. This is a philosophy that in modern times has led to the frequent construction of homes with an open floor plan, but it hasn't always been this way. Welcome to learn more about what kitchens looked like around the turn of the last century and be inspired by our customers' choice of materials and interior design!

Photo: @studio_karin

The Role of the Kitchen around the Turn of the Century

The kitchen has undergone several changes since the last turn of the century. In working-class homes, the kitchen served as a multifunctional space where cooking, socializing, and even sleeping for some family members took place. It wasn't uncommon for the entire family to share a room, sometimes even with boarders.

In more upscale apartments and villas, the kitchen had a different role. It was a purely functional workspace with its own entrance to avoid kitchen staff and children from disturbing the household. The kitchen was also situated far away from the finer parts of the house. A serving passage often led to the dining room, with beautiful built-in cabinets containing everything from utensils to tableware.

The kitchen was practical and easy to clean. Pots and tools were kept on open shelves or hung on hooks. A low dish and workbench with Carrara marble were ideal for cooking. The wood stove was the heart of the kitchen, and tiles with chamfered edges were used around the stove.

Kitchen Design in the 1920s

Over time, kitchens continued to improve. In the 1920s, light kitchens became popular. Faucets now typically deliver both hot and cold water. Real refrigerators begin to appear in kitchens, and marble countertops as well as kitchen cabinets become factory-made. It is around this time that kitchen overhead cabinets become common, but in their standardized form, they would take some time to develop.

Below the beams in the 100-year-old house in Österlen, a truly dreamy kitchen has taken shape. Here, a porcelain sink from Shaws and the Horus Julia kitchen faucet in chrome have been chosen. The small knobs adorning the kitchen drawers and doors are also porcelain. A kitchen rail with hooks is perfect for hanging towels and kitchen utensils. Photo: @ellendixdotter

In this turn-of-the-century apartment built in 1885, renovations have been carried out carefully and beautifully throughout. The focus has been on details and preserving original carpentry. The apartment features a large kitchen with brass details such as our drawer handles and the Oxford kitchen faucet. Among the details, porcelain light switches and power outlets, period-appropriate door handles, and beautiful ornate ceiling moldings can be seen. Kitchen shelves like these can be built using our brackets. Photo: @kronfoto