Bungalow-Style Kitchens
Bungalow houses are warm and comforting, so it makes sense that every generation over the last 100 years or so has re-discovered the style. Most first fall in love with the details: Lots of dark wood is generally used in this type of small house built in the United States between 1900 and 1940.
The name bungalow is derived from the word bangala, referring to the indigenous British Colonial houses of the Bengal region of India. These one-story houses either sat right on the ground or were suspended on wooden pole to protect the structure from animals and floods. They have many windows, deep overhangs, and rooms open to one another. Our versions almost always kept the wonderful deep front porches that sometimes worked as extra rooms. The woodworking was uniquely expressed in window trims, ceiling moldings and baseboards, built-in china cabinets, doors, window seats and built-in bookcases.
Today those involved in re-furbishing these older homes sometimes struggle when faced with how to blend modern appliances and conveniences into a home originally designed for a wood stove. Not too many want the original Bungalow kitchen which was designed as an austere, purely functional room relegated to the back of the house and cut off by a door.
Today, we almost always see the modern kitchen as the center of our home and so the challenge of remodeling includes how to re-focus the attitude of these simple rooms. We want lots of light and the convenience of modern convection cooking.
You can get some incredibly specific information in a new book by architect Peter LaBau, The New Bungalow Kitchen. Published this spring by The Taunton Press, this book outlines the historical roots of the Arts and Crafts movement, reviews typical floor plans, and even includes photos or sketches of original kitchens. Simplicity and functionality was at the heart of the movement. It is that blend of warm wood and function that still appeals to the modern homeowner.
In different case study homes from Pasadena to Maine and from Seattle to Memphis, the architect author guides the reader in step by step way. You learn that brand new appliances are actually quite workable in these old-fashioned kitchens. There are numerous small appliances such as 30″ wide x 24″ deep refrigerators on the market. Or consider the dishwasher-drawers that are small and easily placed for increased function. We have freezer drawers and 24″ wide pro-style ranges. The 30″ wide range shown here sits up on little legs reminiscent of those of a wood burning stove or a 1930’s Magic Chef range. In this 1913 bungalow kitchen, the modern farm-house sink is a perfect choice.
So-called subway tile is often chosen today by homeowners and is a perfect tie back to the period. Wood tone cabinetry honors the very heart of the Arts and Crafts-style cabinetry. One addition to this kitchen that reflects the contemporary use of kitchens is the narrow butcher block island, appropriately sized for a smallish kitchen yet functional.
The book continues to give tips on features such as swivel-joint faucets, counter surfaces and other types of appropriate tile selections. “God is in the details” as the old adage offers and you have to learn where to locate appropriate light fixtures, such as the school house style fixtures used here.
This is a fun read because the author teaches us how lighting progressed through the 1920’s and 1930’s and explains why the ceiling-mounted fixture is a perfect choice for a Bungalow-style kitchen today. He also thoroughly covers other details such as bead board, doors, muntins in windows, stained glass and sinks with some of the original advertisements.
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