 Go-to book for historical accuracy
If you are looking for a book about trendy Craftsman-eqsue kitchen designs, this book is not for you. If, however, you are looking for a very thorough, meticulously compiled source of historically accurate information on Craftsman kitchens, then you will adore this book. Many of the photos in the book are museum-quality representations - heck, some of the photos were actually taken in living museums. If that bothers you or isn't what you're looking for, maybe try "The New Bungalow Kitchen" by Peter Labau instead.
Lovely book!!
What an inspiring and valuable resource! I'm planning a kitchen "remodel", and this book has made me decide to restore and improve on the original kitchen in my 1938 tudor-style cottage. I have read it cover to cover twice, and it's plastered with yellow sticky notes. It's so refreshing to see pictures of beautiful real-life kitchens instead of some $100,000+ Tuscan makeovers. I now have a new respect for my humble cabinetry. Working with what I already have will turn out to be the greenest option and will also save me a ton of money. I wish there were more books like this one around.
Excellent representation of historic kitchens
Just a quick review in response to some of the less favorable reviews on here. Yes, there are very few ideas on how to "modernize" bungalow kitchens, but if that is what you are looking for there are a dozen other books out there that are specifically tailored to that desire. The problem with these books, however, is that "modern" changes, well, constantly, so within a few years of the books being published they are outdated to some extent. To me, this book is infinitely more valuable as it focuses almost entirely on what the kitchens looked like originally, which does not change with the latest fads. There are many excellent photographs of original or restored kitchens from homes ranging from Greene and Greene bungalow-mansions to bungalow tract homes to Sears catalog homes. The writing is engaging (though very full of puns!!) and entertaining while at the same time being to the point.
My view on the "Obsessive vs Compromise" sections. They could probably be more accurately titled "Original" and "Meets modern code standards" as they talk about things such as Ground Fault outlets vs. 90 year old wiring. Yes, the "compromises" are not very compromising, but I believe that is because the intent of the book is to restore back to original, not update to new.
Some words on the book itself. My edition (a few years old, not sure of the exact year of printing) is of excellent quality, nice thick paper, clean printing, very clear photographs, good binding, etc.
In conclusion, if you are looking for an "updated" bungalow kitchen, I'll save you the money of buying any books and suggest instead you just tell a local contractor you want a brand new style kitchen with all the conveniences, but you want it in quarter-sawn oak with inset Shaker style doors. However, if you want to design something very close to what would have been original, this book is for you!!
A great resource for preserving/restoring a craftsman style home
This book gives great historical information and practical solutions for maintaining, preserving, and restoring your craftsman style home. We own a foursquare rather than a bungalow, but have found this book to be very helpful.
Restoring Small Tudor Style Kitchens
I discovered this book, Bungalow Kitchens, in the local library, and returned to it time after time because of the beautiful photographs. After checking it out for the fifth time, I bought it. It carries information on restoring small Tudor style kitchens with authentic colors, cabinet types, hardware, and interesting descriptions of 1920's kitchen appliances and built-ins. One such, detailed in the book, is the California cooler, a cabinet with an outside ventilation system for storing foodstuffs in cold weather. Many books of this type concentrate on the bungalow kitchen, which has darker woodwork and is more in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright, but in this book the Tudor kitchens are generally white or in lighter colors. This book also provides a collection of 1920's rooms filed with authentic old kitchenware and decorated in a Tuder period style. The sections 'Obsessive Restoration' versus the 'Compromise Solution' sections can help you decide, depending on circumstances, funds, and time, whether you wish to create a truly authentic 1920's kitchen, or one in the spirit of that style. Sections include: The history of the modern kichen, its eye appeal, the layout and design, the appliances and how to deal with professionals. I still refer to this book constantly, even though my kitchen is now restored to its original roots. It is a great reference and resource book on early kitchens of the 20th century Tudor.
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