In the 1920’s the kitchens were functional with few decorative touches. There was a mania for sanitation in a society made aware by WWI that bacteria and germs caused illnesses. Surfaces were light and easily cleaned. Walls were often painted white, but light green or yellow were popular colors and earth tones became stylish.

Start by recreating the look of 1920s kitchen cabinets, in painted pale green with a white subway-tile backsplash, or shiny enameled white cupboards and a tile countertop with black bull-nose edging. Pastels not your thing? Go with royal blue, purple, or forest green cabinets topped with a butcher block counter.