Home Decorating Ideas - 1950s Design Grows Up to Meet the Needs of Today’s Families

(ARA) – In the middle of the last century, American homes enjoyed a rise in design and technology. Modern conveniences such as televisions, dishwashers and small appliances found their way into every home. And the same bright colors and chrome finishes found on the highway in American classics such as the candy-colored Ford Thunderbird and the chrome Harley-Davidson motorcycle brought a sense of fun and optimism into the kitchen. At the same time housewives began to expand their repertoire from meat-and-potato basics to world cuisine.

The mid-20th century also marks the time that Thermador created the first built-in wall oven, an entirely new design that had a lasting impact in kitchen design and cooking. Introduced in 1955, this radical notion allowed flexibility in kitchen design since wall ovens could be placed on practically any wall, anywhere in the kitchen. Consumers formerly bound to the traditional kitchen design of a stove top range were able to experience more open kitchen floor plans giving them countless options for individualizing their kitchens. Ahead of its time ergonomically, the wall ovens also meant no more stooping or bending to check on meals or remove heavy pans.

As modern design became more mainstream, kitchens took center stage. No longer relegated to the back of house in enclosed rooms, architects were beginning to re-imagine kitchen spaces as the center of daily life. One of the world’s most influential modern architects, Richard Neutra, included Thermador wall ovens into his famous homes, including the renowned Dion Neutra/Reunion House. The clean design of the wall oven fit well into Neutra’s blending of indoor and outdoor rooms, and provided the freedom to create open airy spaces.

By the 1970’s Thermador ovens achieved celebrity status when they were featured on Julia Child’s PBS cooking shows. They were also an important part of her personal kitchen, which can now be seen at the Smithsonian. The wall oven was also the appliance of choice for the blended family of television’s “The Brady Bunch.”

Today’s models continue to blend sophisticated styling with functionality for cooking enthusiasts.

Fifty years after its creation Thermador continues to pave the way in the kitchen industry and in meeting the needs of busy families. Today’s wall ovens blend striking design with breakthrough advancements that put superior cooking performance at the fingertips of its users. The Personal Culinary Assistant system allows home cooks to see and operate all cooking modes with single touch programming. Other groundbreaking features such as the third element convection cooking and microwave heating save time – up to 50% – allowing families to spend more time together.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its groundbreaking invention, Thermador has produced a special limited edition 30-inch wall oven model. The anniversary model oven makes a stylish and dramatic statement with a striking mirror exterior finish, and promises to become a collector’s item for the 21st century.

Also in honor of its 50th anniversary, Thermador is calling on home cooks to submit their original oven recipes that represent the tastes and culture of their state for Thermador’s Taste of America recipe contest and sweepstakes. A winner will be selected from each of the 50 states and the winning recipes will be featured in Thermador’s Taste of America Cookbook. All contestants will be eligible to win a new 50th anniversary Ford Thunderbird.

For more information on the recipe contest, or to learn more about wall ovens, visit www.thermador.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content