Can you imagine calling this room the heart of your home? To my modern eyes the early 1900’s kitchen looks rather cold and uninviting, utilitarian, and with all those pipes and exposed brick, industrial.

It is interesting how the industrial look is a current kitchen trend with industrial lighting and stainless steel.

At this time, some kitchens were still located in basements. In many upper middle class and well-to-do families kitchens were the domain of servants. Kitchens of yesteryear were not the hub of family life the way our kitchens are today. Friends gathering around and chatting to the host while she (or, as in my house, he) prepared dinner would have been unimaginable.

“Modern” conveniences such as a water heater, gas range, and garbage incinerator were available, but it is still a few years before what we would recognize or relate to as a modern kitchen of the 1910’s-1920’s.

What do you think of the 1900’s kitchen? Anyone want to go back?

Smeg refrigerators are now available at Sears. I’m know. I’m surprised, too!

Look at all the delicious colors. Oh, I want one.

I am posting pictures of some of my favorite kitchens. These kitchens are full of great ideas and so inspiring! Any of them would be appropriate for an older home.

The contrast between all that white marble and the black stove is beautiful.

My mother loves this kitchen! I like the open shelving and the little drawers going all the way to the ceiling.

Another example of open shelving. I like how this kitchen utilizes the space in front of the window, which is usually unused, as well as above the window and door. This is a smart storage solution for a small kitchen.

Another beautiful cream, white, and marble kitchen with black accents.

Wide plank floors, vintage light fixture, modern stove, dark black cabinets and wood countertops. Very warm, very inviting.

Another of my Mom’s favorites. Double sink, how luxurious.

I love these cupboards!

During our 6 year journey trying to figure out what in the world to do with our kitchen, we stumbled across Hansen Living’s freestanding kitchen cabinets and storage solutions. It was something we both (gasp) liked. The cabinets were designed by Danish architect Knud Knapper after studying the way professional chefs use a kitchen.

The clean lines, solid wood construction, craftsmanship and attention to detail are right at home with Arts & Crafts philosophy. My taste in kitchens leans a little more modern than what is typically found in a bungalow. These cabinets are a good compromise.

I met with Susan Serra, kitchen designer and the US rep for Hansen Living, last summer in New York City. We hit it off immediately. She offered suggestions and I loved all of them.

The cabinets are even more beautiful in person and so finely crafted that they resemble a piece of furniture. I left the meeting with Susan Serra super excited and ready to start planning our new kitchen in the fall.

Then the economy turned and we decided to wait. David was laid off from his job. Our kitchen fund is now our pay the mortgage and buy groceries fund.

But, I am still so in love with Hansen Living. This white kitchen in a historic Copenhagen apartment is what started it all. As soon as I saw these pictures I was smitten.

The pieces are freestanding, so theoretically, you can pack your kitchen up and take it with you when you move.

I hope we will be able to remodel our kitchen sooner rather than later. In the mean time, I will continue to dream…

I have spent an enjoyable morning drooling over the work of New York City architectural firm Peter Pennoyer Architects. I love his kitchens and found so many inspiring ideas.

I have always dreamed of a rolling library ladder in my kitchen. Although, considering our kitchen’s small size, that might not be practical.

I like the tile floor in the kitchen below. It has a fun 1920’s feel.

Hopefully, I’ll soon have the kitchen of my dreams. In the mean time, I’ll enjoy the kitchens of someone else’s dreams.

I have pulled these photos from multiple sources over the past 6 years while dreaming of remodeling our bungalow kitchen. If these photos have a theme, I would say it is the natural wood tones of the cabinets.

A small kitchen in a Gothic church that has been converted into a home. Look at those windows!

Above is the kitchen of a famous restauranteur (his name escapes me). I adore the black and white tile floor and the cast iron, peg leg sink.

Different view of the restauranteur’s kitchen. The wood farmhouse table is used as a workspace as well as a seating area. A plate rack covers the walls on each side of the cast iron sink.

I like the tile floor and all the counter space in this kitchen. It has a vintage feel yet appears very functional with adequate storage and work space.

The above kitchen features subway tile walls, open shelving, wall mounted plate rack and a center work island.

I photographed the kitchen cupboards of a 1911 bungalow a few years back and saved them for the day when we remodel our kitchen.

What I like is the vast expanse of storage. It was difficult to photograph because the cupboards filled the whole wall.

This cupboard was built into the corner.

Bottom cupboards. The middle cupboard had a hinged bottom and was a flour bin.

See more bungalow kitchens!

Martha, Martha, Martha. I LOVE this kitchen! The grayish taupe walls, the expanses of white marble and the beautiful cabinetry…I am drooling. Ms. Stewart recently posted new pictures of this kitchen on her blog.

Look at this display case. Glass on 3 sides gives it an open, airy feeling. I also like all the little touches of metal throughout the room; from the clock, to the warming drawers and the little metal knobs on the cupboards.

One benefit of owning several homes is being able to design completely different kitchens.

This kitchen features natural wood tones, open shelving and white subway tiles.

I really like the look of dishes stacked on open shelving. Although, I wonder how practical that is day to day with dust and animal fur? It might not be the best choice for earthquake prone Los Angeles.

I love all the storage and drawers in this kitchen.

I like the sinks with gooseneck faucets.

I love the look and beautiful simplicity of these unfitted kitchens designed by British companies deVOL Kitchens and Plain English.

I have been drooling over these kitchens for the past 6 years, just waiting for the day when we remodel our kitchen.

Unfitted kitchens feature freestanding cabinetry. The cabinets are constructed of hardwoods and high quality materials. The quality of the construction often resembles a piece of furniture.

I love to imagine cooking in a kitchen like this. Well, in my fantasies, I love to imagine watching my husband, David, cooking in a kitchen like this while I sip a glass of wine and flip through the latest issue of “Food & Wine” magazine.

David is the chef in our relationship. I wish we had a kitchen that was worthy of his budding culinary abilities. He watches the Food Network the way some men watch ESPN.

Shelves instead of wall cabinets give the kitchen an open, airy feeling.

The freestanding hutch is a simple and elegant storage solution.

All the little drawers are reminiscent of Shaker furniture.

I am a big fan of painted cabinets.