Decorating Trend: Vintage Kitchens

New homes are sporting it. Older homes are returning to it. And vintage homes are restoring what has come to be a national decorating trend. Kitchens are being redone at a rapid rate, and not all of them bear track lighting and shiny granite countertops. In fact, more and more of them are starting to bear close resemblances to the kitchens from our childhoods-or perhaps even our grandparent's kitchens. There is a popular trend in kitchen remodeling and restoration. All over the country, vintage kitchens from the 1940's and 1950's are starting to emerge.

What does this say about American decorating trends? Quite often, rather than moving forward with style and its imminent progress, some folks are choosing to return to what once was popular. The 1940's (post-Depression) and the 1950's were times of comfort food and Mo wearing her apron, Dad in his slippers reading the morning paper, and hugs and kisses as the children went out the door to school each morning. For many people these were happy, homespun times-and since that air is significantly absent in much of today's society, we're starting to see a slow emergence of its resurrection-a la kitchen makeover!

What does this mean for consumers? Fortunately many small businesses are making this trend a bit simpler than it was just a few short years ago. Reproductions of vintage kitchen pieces from this era have sprung up in gift shops and home decorating stores all around the country-and surprisingly their prices are reasonably modest. From black and white or red and white enamelware pieces like cookware, serving pieces, canisters and roasters-many companies have created replicas-complete with faux aging-that look like they came straight from your Great Aunt Edna's homey kitchen. In addition to these finds, check out replicas of cabinet and drawer pulls, light fixtures and faucets. Even a trip to your local hardware store should encourage this dance with nostalgia.