If you had the time and resources to scour German flea markets, you could recreate this Berlin kitchen and its early sixties vibe. Or, you could source similar lighting, furniture, and tile from current designers and retailers whose work references the era. Here, we took the latter route. For more photos of the kitchen, which is part of a 1957 landmark gently updated by Bfs Design, see yesterday's Architect Visit.
Above: In the otherwise white room, a counter-to-ceiling backsplash of buttery tiles and chairs in autumnal tones.
Above: The Eames Molded Plastic Chair with Wire Base is made from recyclable polypropylene with chrome legs—shown here in java; $319 from Room & Board.
Above: The Eames Molded Plastic Chair with Wire Base in wafer; $319 from Room & Board.
Above: The Eames Molded Plastic Chair with Wire Base in red; $319 from Room & Board.
Above: Vintage Bauhaus-era Florian Schulz Posa 22 Pendants can occasionally be found on 1st Dibs (a similar Florian Schulz Counterweight Pendant is currently available for $2,450). In Los Angeles, Plug Lighting carries the line; contact them directly for sourcing information, or go directly to Florian Schulz. Also, consider Tom Dixon's Copper Bronze Pendant Light coated with a layer of bronze followed by copper; $685 at Horne. To see the light in a newly remodeled dining room, go to A Thrifty New England Kitchen By Way of LA.
Above: San Francisco-based Ohio Design's Noi Dining Table features a thin steel framework. It comes in a range of tabletop materials, including high-pressure laminates and natural wood veneers. Here, it's in powder-coated steel with a white laminate; prices start at $849 from Ohio Design.
Above: Heath Ceramics Oval Dimension Tiles (shown here in a San Francisco kitchen by architect Jennifer Weiss) are modeled after designs from the 1950's and 1960's. The tiles measure 3-by-9 inches and are available in more than 50 glazes; $77 per square foot from Heath Ceramics.
Above: Inspired by German ceramics from the Bauhaus movement, the new tableware collection from Commune for Heath would work well in a kitchen of this sort. It includes the Rim Cereal Bowl, above, in a clear glaze that shows off the natural color of the clay; $46 from Totokaelo Art-Object.
Above: Corian, a solid countertop material made from a durable, nonporous acrylic polymer, comes in over 130 colors and can also be used for countertop fronts and sinks. For more about it and other good counter choices, see 10 Easy Pieces: Remodelista Kitchen Countertop Picks.
Above: Arne Jacobsen's iconic faucet is most often seen in a stainless or chrome finish, but it comes in 18 colors. The Vola KV1 Single-Handled Faucet with a double swivel spout is available directly through Vola.
Looking for more kitchen ideas? Sort through the Steal This Look features and kitchen posts (House Visits, Faucets & Fixtures, Furniture, and much more) in our archive.