Is it or isn't it?

Since I've been back blogging again, I've noticed that the words "vintage", "farmhouse" and "country" get thrown around a lot.

To be honest, most people have no idea what they're talking about.

Sorry, but it's true.

When I come across this, I ask myself 

"Where?" 

or 

"Are they crazy?"

 or 

"Did they actually research what a kitchen looked like from (insert the era they're going for here) ?"

 or 

"Do they have any idea what a true farmhouse or country kitchen looks like?" 

or my usual response.....

"Are they drunk?"

Now, when they say "vintage feel" or "farmhouse feel" or "country feel" sometimes I can see it, but most of the time I can't.

For instance, today while I was looking around at a few blogs, a popular blogger (name withheld) mentioned that they wanted a 1940s kitchen and thought that they had accomplished that.

Ummm... no, not quite.

The kitchen was completely white. Sound buzzer!

They had an apron front sink. Sound buzzer!

They had subway tiles. Sound buzzer!

They had marble countertops. Sound buzzer!

For reference here is what typical 1940s upscale kitchens looked like:

Now, not to say they didn't have white kitchens then, because they did, but they weren't ALL white.

Example:

But, do you see subway tile?

Nope

That wasn't popular in the 1940s, it was popular in the early 1900s.

Do you see marble countertops in any of these pictures?

Nope.

They used tile or laminate.

Do you see an apron sink?

Nope.

It was either a sunken sink or a drainboard sink.

What she really has is a trendy white kitchen that barely whispers of an early 1900s manor house, where the servants worked, but only because of the subway tile and because it's white.

Here's an example in the background:

Before you think I'm being mean, let me just say that I think her kitchen and most kitchens like hers are beautiful.

That being said though, it's not a 1940s kitchen and far from it, which is fine, but I have a problem with people saying these things and then everyone jumping on the bandwagon saying "I have a vintage kitchen of a certain era!"

In actuality you most likely don't. What you probably have is a modern kitchen with perhaps some vintage "toys" and decor in it.

To be fair here:

Is my kitchen truly 1930s vintage?

Well, let's take a look at my main inspiration pictures:

And then at my kitchen:

The answer:

No.

Although, it has the original cabinets, breakfast nook and light fixtures, floor and tiles like what would have been there, a 1930s sink and I chose the colors from a 1930s kitchen picture, it also happens to have a modern stove and a 1950s fridge.

I would say that it's a vintage kitchen that has grown with the times or just simply a vintage kitchen, but I wouldn't label it in a certain era, because even though it has the bones it's not a true 1930s kitchen.

My point is, that before you say you have a certain type of kitchen, do some research. You'll probably be surprised to know that no matter what you think your favorite style or era is, in actuality it most likely looks nothing like the real thing.

So that's what's been on my mind.

I'm not even going to get into the whole farmhouse and country debacle.

I kinda think you get the point ;)

xo

rue