I discovered this book, Bungalow Kitchens, in the local library, and returned to it time after time because of the beautiful photographs. After checking it out for the fifth time, I bought it. It carries information on restoring small Tudor style kitchens with authentic colors, cabinet types, hardware, and interesting descriptions of 1920's kitchen appliances and built-ins. One such, detailed in the book, is the California cooler, a cabinet with an outside ventilation system for storing foodstuffs in cold weather. Many books of this type concentrate on the bungalow kitchen, which has darker woodwork and is more in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright, but in this book the Tudor kitchens are generally white or in lighter colors. This book also provides a collection of 1920's rooms filed with authentic old kitchenware and decorated in a Tuder period style. The sections 'Obsessive Restoration' versus the 'Compromise Solution' sections can help you decide, depending on circumstances, funds, and time, whether you wish to create a truly authentic 1920's kitchen, or one in the spirit of that style. Sections include: The history of the modern kichen, its eye appeal, the layout and design, the appliances and how to deal with professionals. I still refer to this book constantly, even though my kitchen is now restored to its original roots. It is a great reference and resource book on early kitchens of the 20th century Tudor.

I recently remodeled the kitchen in my 1920 Craftsman bungalow. We took it down to the studs and started over with a clean palate. With the help of this book, we now have a kitchen which looks like it has always been there, with white painted cabinets, nickel plated hardware, schoolhouse style light fixtures, soapstone counter tops, farmhouse style sink and a linoleum floor. We replaced the existing aluminum windows with modern double-hung sash windows and installed new, white appliances. It has all the functionality of a new kitchen with all the love and charm that is so special to the bungalow style. Bungalow Kitchens was crucial to our design decisions. It was particularly helpful in convincing our cabinet maker to build door-in-frame cabinets, instead of typical door-on-frame as most do today. It made a huge difference in the look and feel. Bravo!

I needed to do some quick research on a historical home I am working on and this helped tremendously. It includes some great resources for materials at the back of the book. Worth every penny.

When I was getting ready to restore the kitchen in my 1922 California Bungalow I had no clue where to start. The previous owners had gutted the original kitchen for commerical property use and had put in Pay N Pak cabinets and almond color formica to sell the house. After 13 years living with the new kitchen I decided to put in a period kitchen. Jane's book gave me the courage, inspiration and most important, the clues on where to begin.

My contractor had met Jane at a workshop and respected her expertise. I was able to contact her through her business website. She was so excited and supportive for my project. She is a wonderful person with a great sense of humor as well as history of how our bungalow homes can help us live more healthy and fulfilling lives. And Linda's photos are marvelous.
One in particular helped me decide to use the six black glass cabinet knobs I found left in the basement. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves their old bungalow. For those building a new bungalow you will find the bones in this book and you might think twice about corian or granite countertops.

Being on the extremely limited budget, the idea of restoring our 1923 craftsman kitchen to the obsessive original is not even an option. This fabulous book gives you numerous ideas/ paths as to what a $100,000 restoration would encompass, and then provides compromises that the 'normal' home owner can accomplish with great results. It definitely made me re-contemplate several ideas that we had already set in stone, and I think ultimately will save us investment money. My favorite aspect of this book? Unlike several bungalow magazines (which will go unnamed) that feel the need to pretentiously describe the 'color of fumed oak' and ten million other things that the average home owner will never afford or see, Jane Powell is down to earth and able to 'talk' to you like your neighbor next door.