Plate Racks
Gidiere says that plate racks are super convenient and can add charm to a kitchen. “They make unloading the dishwasher, and setting the table, a breeze,” she says, adding that the visuals will be especially lovely if you display “beautiful, everyday china that coordinates with your kitchen.”
Larders
Gidiere says that back in the day, a larder was a separate walk-in pantry for keeping dry goods, pots, and pans, and she thinks it deserves a comeback, believing it to be “much more convenient than trying to shove everything into a couple of upper cabinets in the kitchen itself.”
“Kitchens have gotten so oversized these days—too many steps to get around the kitchen island. Kitchens that are smaller but have functional components like a larder make life more efficient and comfortable.”
Tile Countertops
“We are getting to a time in design where a hybrid of so many eras and styles is becoming more prevalent. But for a long while, kitchens were dulled down to very neutral and generic. Tile counters offer durability and a chance to be a little more creative with color or texture,” Law points out.
Glass Front or Metal Grate-Fronted Cabinets
Cabinets that feature glass fronts or metal grates “add so much charm for displaying china and glassware,” according to Gidiere. She says that just a few of these types of cabinets in a kitchen can add instant visual appeal.
“H” Hinges
Gidiere thinks that forged-iron “H” or “HL” hinges are “super chic,” adding that “we haven’t seen much of them in ages.” She thinks that they pair particularly well with clean lines and shaker cabinets, and they are primed for a comeback.
Colorful Appliances
Law says that stainless steel, while very sleek, is something that scratches and has to be perpetually polished, unless you don’t mind fingerprints. “The colorful appliances from yesteryear allowed for some expression, and allowed a kitchen to be a kitchen rather than the trend of always trying to hide that fact behind cabinet panels and doors,” she adds.
Buttons and Knobs
“In our futuristic world, we are always striving to outdo ourselves and have smart houses and touch systems,” Law says. “Buttons and knobs allowed for a tangibility that I find lacking these days.”
Bygone Refrigerator Features
Looking back on an old refrigerator commercial from the 1950s that she saw recently, Law bemoans not having certain features in today’s refrigerators.
“I was so impressed by the thought that went into the necessities at the time,” she says. “Roll-out shelves for better access, and even better, a vegetable hydrator installed in the door that dropped down and could be fully removed for rinsing in the sink. Those were days when it was clear that the priority in the kitchen was cooking.”
Under-Counter Paper Towel Dispensers
“I wish someone would come out with a truly charming under-counter mount paper towel holder,” Gidiere shares. “I can’t stand the upright ones that we stand near the sink—they are always unsteady and clutter the counter. Tucking the paper towels under the upper cabinets was genius, and someone should do a clever re-imagining.”
Central Vacuum Cleaners
Calling central vacuum cleaners a “luxury” since it meant not having to drag around a bulky vacuum, Law thinks they need to be brought back into modern-day homes, and specifically, kitchens.
“It was something that was expensive at the time, and needed specialty installation. I imagine there was not a high demand then, but the ease, efficiency, and centrality of the system makes sense,” she says.
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