American Diner Inspires Art Deco Kitchen in Adelaide
A touch of Hollywood comes to Hazelwood Park, South Australia, with this retro kitchen that's anything but kitsch
Rebecca Gross
20 December 2016
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
Decked out with chrome trim, streamlined curves and a sky-blue colour palette, this kitchen is as American as apple pie – except, that it’s Australian and in Hazelwood Park, a leafy suburb of Adelaide. Drawing on the nostalgic style and distinct characteristics of the classic American diner, Nathan and Ellen Wundersitz of SpaceCraft Joinery have created a bright, airy and inviting kitchen (and dining booth) to match the Art Deco style of the rest of the house.
Room at a Glance
Who lives here: Deborah Floyd and Bob Hawkes and their cat, Harley
Location: Hazelwood Park, SA
Size: 16 square metres
Design: SpaceCraft Joinery
Deborah Floyd and Bob Hawkes live in a 1939 Art Deco home that they have meticulously restored over the last 20 years, decorating it with Art Deco and mid-century modern furniture and collectables throughout. They did a quick renovation of the kitchen early on and then re-renovated it as the last project in their labour of love.
“It was an original retro kitchen, but was obviously tired, had limited storage and lacked modern conveniences,” says Ellen Wundersitz. “We wanted to respect the era of the home and make it feel like it really belonged, even though it was brand new.”
Who lives here: Deborah Floyd and Bob Hawkes and their cat, Harley
Location: Hazelwood Park, SA
Size: 16 square metres
Design: SpaceCraft Joinery
Deborah Floyd and Bob Hawkes live in a 1939 Art Deco home that they have meticulously restored over the last 20 years, decorating it with Art Deco and mid-century modern furniture and collectables throughout. They did a quick renovation of the kitchen early on and then re-renovated it as the last project in their labour of love.
“It was an original retro kitchen, but was obviously tired, had limited storage and lacked modern conveniences,” says Ellen Wundersitz. “We wanted to respect the era of the home and make it feel like it really belonged, even though it was brand new.”
The word diner is derived from ‘dining car’, which reflects the original American diners that, from the 1920s to ’40s, were prefabricated structures. Often in the shape and style of a railroad car, they were typically long and narrow with plenty of curves and chrome.
Like the original diners, this kitchen is also long and thin, and this shape played a big part in how SpaceCraft designed the layout and maximised space without it feeling cluttered. Colour, curves and chrome elements are used to accentuate the length of the room – as well as being true to the period – and terminate in the bay window and built-in dining nook.
“The booth area in particular allowed us to create a cosy nook for entertaining without eating into too much precious floor space. It also created a visual connection with the delightfully lush backyard,” says Wundersitz.
Restored 1960s pendant light over centre bench: Fog & Morup
Like the original diners, this kitchen is also long and thin, and this shape played a big part in how SpaceCraft designed the layout and maximised space without it feeling cluttered. Colour, curves and chrome elements are used to accentuate the length of the room – as well as being true to the period – and terminate in the bay window and built-in dining nook.
“The booth area in particular allowed us to create a cosy nook for entertaining without eating into too much precious floor space. It also created a visual connection with the delightfully lush backyard,” says Wundersitz.
Restored 1960s pendant light over centre bench: Fog & Morup
Fluid, sweeping and contoured lines and surfaces flow throughout Floyd and Hawkes’ kitchen with countertops, booth seats and the dining table finishing with smooth curves.
As well as curves throughout, the couple specifically wanted a diner booth, plenty of under-bench storage and shelving on which to display and showcase the owners’ kitchen collectables.
As well as curves throughout, the couple specifically wanted a diner booth, plenty of under-bench storage and shelving on which to display and showcase the owners’ kitchen collectables.
Streamlined curves emerged in American design in the Art Deco era of the 1920s and ’30s, influenced by advancements in technology and transportation. They were an expression of the era – of speed and efficiency – and a symbol of modernity when used in the home.
New materials, such as plastics, chrome and linoleum, were also important elements in the Art Deco style. Chrome had both a glamorous and industrial quality and it showed-off the streamlined curves of the era. In addition to the curvaceous cabinetry that is a feature of this Hazelwood Park kitchen, SpaceCraft Joinery used “lashings of lustrous chrome,” says Wundersitz.
New materials, such as plastics, chrome and linoleum, were also important elements in the Art Deco style. Chrome had both a glamorous and industrial quality and it showed-off the streamlined curves of the era. In addition to the curvaceous cabinetry that is a feature of this Hazelwood Park kitchen, SpaceCraft Joinery used “lashings of lustrous chrome,” says Wundersitz.
The kitchen designers used aluminium stair tread to edge the benches and tabletop, and installed a 6-millimetre-thick toughened glass splashback. The contoured and studded chrome trim glistens when light hits it and highlights the kitchen diner’s fluid forms.
Benchtops in ‘Lucida Gloss’ 292 with aluminium stair tread: Abet Laminati; oven and gas cooktop: Neff; rangehood: Whispair
Benchtops in ‘Lucida Gloss’ 292 with aluminium stair tread: Abet Laminati; oven and gas cooktop: Neff; rangehood: Whispair
While linoleum wasn’t a new material in the early 20th century, having been invented in the mid-1800s, its use in domestic settings was. Linoleum floors were cheaper, quieter and more resilient than wood or tile and valued for their decorative and utilitarian qualities. A preference for streamlined, easy-to-clean kitchens in the 1930s made linoleum floors with cove mouldings a popular favourite.
It’s not surprising then that linoleum was the floor covering of choice for Floyd and Hawkes’ kitchen, and SpaceCraft used commercial-grade Marmoleum vinyl. Along the outer perimeter they added a black line to mimic the form of the joinery units, as well as cove mouldings or plinths, which were painted with a black satin finish.
It’s not surprising then that linoleum was the floor covering of choice for Floyd and Hawkes’ kitchen, and SpaceCraft used commercial-grade Marmoleum vinyl. Along the outer perimeter they added a black line to mimic the form of the joinery units, as well as cove mouldings or plinths, which were painted with a black satin finish.
Pretty pastel colours were a popular choice in classic Art Deco homes with off-whites and pale blues, pinks and greens. Accordingly, baby blue is the feature colour throughout the kitchen and diner.
In the dining nook, the baby blue cushions are edged with black piping to match the linoleum and table legs, which were inspired by the metal work on an original 1950s kitchen sideboard. The seats also have convenient storage underneath and a discrete electrical charging spot in the kickboard.
In the dining nook, the baby blue cushions are edged with black piping to match the linoleum and table legs, which were inspired by the metal work on an original 1950s kitchen sideboard. The seats also have convenient storage underneath and a discrete electrical charging spot in the kickboard.
Curved corners and open shelving at the ends of the bench offer storage and display space for plants, books, wine and other collectables.
Pots, pans, casserole dishes and mixing bowls are housed in a corner cupboard with drawers that slide in and out.
The cutlery and utensil drawer is meticulously organised with a Blum Orga-Line cutlery insert and knife holder, to keep everything in order.
Floyd and Hawkes’ kitchen might be retro, but it’s anything but kitsch. It’s calm and welcoming, light and fresh, and the ideal place to unwind, relax and socialise with guests.
“The owners love to cook and have enjoyed experimenting with the new appliances and [having] ‘everything in the right place’,” says Wundersitz. “Guests often congregate around the centre bench or have a drink in the booth, which is in daily use for eating meals. It’s also often the spot to catch up on the news, email, enjoy a cuppa or have a chat.”
TELL US
What do you think of this American diner style of kitchen? Share your thoughts about whether it would work in your home in the Comments.
“The owners love to cook and have enjoyed experimenting with the new appliances and [having] ‘everything in the right place’,” says Wundersitz. “Guests often congregate around the centre bench or have a drink in the booth, which is in daily use for eating meals. It’s also often the spot to catch up on the news, email, enjoy a cuppa or have a chat.”
TELL US
What do you think of this American diner style of kitchen? Share your thoughts about whether it would work in your home in the Comments.
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Ok for the record, this does not look like an American Diner. It is however, nicely done. I like the coolness of the light blue. The only thing I would try to improve upon is the table and seating area, it DOES look cluttered. A simpler rounded seating bench without the extra lines from the cushions would have been a better choice along with a larger table and some kind of lighting hanging down from the ceiling. The rest of the kitchen and all of its storage nooks is fabulous!
Nice!