We've all seen it: vintage ads for European foods, the classic rooster, the creepy cartoon chefs. Most curious of all, there's the "dramatically overscaled" fork and spoon.
Is art like this kitschy or just kitchy/kitchen-y?
Urbane types might be tempted to make a rule: no decorating the kitchen (or dining room) with these kitchen-y themed items. But before you make up your mind . . .
. . . check out the Silk Felt Soil post about Welbeck Tiles and Tracy Kendall's Eat series wallpaper.
Sometimes decorating the places we cook and eat with a food theme can feel homey. Other times it looks forced, like the people who live there are not serious enough about what goes on in the kitchen. Is sticking to such a literal theme always a bad thing or is there some latitude?
images: Art.com, Tracy Kendall via Silk Felt Soil
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I think it depends. A few years ago stenciling apples and pears on the kitchen wall was "in" now it's something I would consider forced. Also, depends on a persons style or taste preference. I like anything whimsical or vintage. I try to keep a unified look in my kitchen since it is small. I also stick to at least two colors that compliment the rest of my apartment. I suppose that's why I stick to an all-white kitchen. Also, although I love those tiles with the fork, knife, and spoon as well as the wallpaper I'd have to seriously consider it because of cost. Would I like that in 5 years? I suppose if I had the money I would do it but not on my budget. I have to be a bit more practical and creative.
I agree with cielo. I don't think you can make rules about that kind of thing.
I just got a retro little hot chocolate ad clock that will be living in my kitchen, but it can definitely move, or be put away. I have no problem with kitsch in the kitchen as long as it is easily moveable and changeable. So I guess I'd be less into stenciling cute things on the walls and whatnot.
I am cool most things that don't seem forced; that said, I am way pickier in my own kitchen. I generally steer clear of vintage posters, fearing a "Friends" throwback overload, but I couldn't resist this awesome vintage Orangina poster I found at a thrift store. I am OBSESSED with Orangina and it was already framed. I cherish it.
I also used to think the Linnea calendars my dad and stepmom displayed were very quaint and country, but now that all of us daughters are grown, they send us the Linnae calendar refills and we all love them--I get compliments on it constantly.
Shannon, do you have a picture of your Linnea calendar displayed in your kitchen? We'd like to start showing some art in kitchens for art month. I'd never heard of Linnea .. . just Googled in.
I'm not sure if Shannon's Linnea calendars are the same series I have, but I've been getting the Travel themed ones every Christmas for about 5 years and I love them. Mine is in my office, though...
(They are modern prints in the style of old travel posters. I like the graphic element, and it's a nice streamlined calendar option for me. They are 11x14 and slip into a frame each month.)
Link is in my name...