I picked up a 1973 edition of Know Your Antiques by Ralph and Terry Kovel in an antique store a few years ago.  I took it out the other day to look up the style of a friend’s dining table and was struck by the following passage:

Furniture designing is much like dress designing; if the hem is down, the only thing to do is make it shorter; and when it is short, drop the length of the skirt.  If the furniture has been light in weight with straight legs for twenty-five years, then make the legs heavier, curve them, and use dark colors; if massive designs were the style, then develop simple, lightweight chairs.  A few outside influences will always vary this pattern, but furniture design has gone from heavy to light to heavy to light, both in color and weight, since 1600.

According to a recent, very unscientific survey of my favorite home magazines, we’re definitely heading into a period of lighter, simpler design which, frankly, is a huge relief.  I’ve gotten so tired of the massive, oversized, dark wood furniture that peaked in popularity early this decade and the now-standard kitchen  consisting of dark wood cabinets, dark(ish) granite counters, and stainless steel appliances.    

Knowing that all design is cyclical and that it costs tens of thousands to “update” a kitchen which will only become dated again in a matter of years, I’ve been trying to think of ways to avoid the problem.  It seems to me that the best bet is to skip current design trends entirely and design a classic/retro (depending on the era of the house) kitchen that looks like it’s always been there.  I’ve seen original kitchens from the 20’s with white Carrara marble countertops which have withstood the test of time and the vagaries of style and just look fabulous.  Likewise, hardwood and marble flooring never dates.   With classic elements like these, walls and cupboards can be easily updated with a can or two of paint.   

As for appliances, stainless steel will eventually become the harvest gold of 2020 (or sooner).  In a retro/classic design, there’s always the option of going with actual vintage appliances.  Unfortunately, this really only works best with ovens.  Vintage ovens can be restored, reinsulated, and/or recoated and end up working very well and quite efficiently.   Refrigerators are another story entirely; it’s almost impossible to make them energy-efficient.   And the issue is moot when it comes to dishwashers, microwaves, wine captains, and other modern appliances for which there is no functional “vintage” equivalent.

There are a few manufacturers who make modern appliances with a retro look:

Big Chill

 Elmira Stove Works

Or taking the retro/classic look to a whole other level, La Cornue:

Gorgeous!