Updated Joseph Eichler Kitchens
October 14th, 2009Joseph Eichler was a post-war merchant builder who embraced the principles of modernism in an effort to provide progressive and affordable housing to middle income families. From the late 1940s to the late 1960s, Eichler built 11,000 homes, the majority in Northern California. With glass walls, post-and-beam construction, open floor plans, skylights and floor-to-ceiling glass windows, Joseph Eichler blurred the lines between the mild climate of the San Francisco Bay Area and the clean modern interiors of the Eichler style home.
Eichler exteriors are usually marked by flat or low-sloping roofs, Spartan facades with geometric liens and vertical siding, with protected gardens, pools and patios surrounding the home. As these homes continue to be bought and sold, however, we see more and more of these them being updated to incorporate the Eichler style, with more current and popular designs that we see today.
The main area people rush to update is the kitchen. This is because original Eichler kitchens are very basic (yet functional), but do not necessarily make the best use of space. Typical Eichler kitchens feature wood cabinets with sliding doors, low countertops, a swing-out kitchen table, and stainless steel appliances including a Thermador wall-mounted oven and matching range. Popular updates include cabinet replacement which provides more space and greater accessibility, the introduction of an island which provides more countertop and cooktop space, and the installation of upgraded, under-cabinet and in-cabinet appliances. Here are just a few of our favorite amazing updated Eichler kitchen designs. These designs cost anywhere from $25,000 (Chris Sanders Eichler Remodel) – $180,000 (Palo Alto Kitchen):
Eichler Kitchens – Before Pictures
Original Eichler Kitchen
Photo Credit: http://www.EichlerForSale.com
Palo Alto Eichler Kitchen Before
Palo Alto Eichler Kitchen Before
Eichler Kitchens Updated and Remodeled
Palo Alto ADA Compliant Eichler Kitchen:
Palo Alto Kitchen After
Palo Alto Kitchen After
Designed Eichler Kitchen - Tong
Photo Credit: http://www.EichlerForSale.com
Re-Designed Eichler Kitchen - Cheng
Photo Credit: http://www.EichlerForSale.com
San Rafael Eichler Kitchen - Sale Pending
Photo Credit: http://www.EichlerForSale.com
Chris Sanders Eichler Remodel
Photo Credit: http://www.EichlerForSale.com
Tags: eichler, eichler homes, eichler kitchen, eichler kitchen remodelled
I think Mr. Cheng’s design best captures the horizontal line of the original Eichler visuals and intent.
The contrast between the two old photos is interesting: the first with nothing more than a wafflemaker; the second with a softened and lived-in look with warm wood, tiles, plants and photos. Obviously, the context of the old photos may be unknown, but what do they reveal about the users and the designs? Are these the so-called ‘laboratories for living’? Others comments are appreciated. Thanks.
You have started a very interesting discussion on kitchen design. I’m a cabinetmaker who really does not want to make kitchens for a living, because the most of what is done in the US is just boxes with a “choice of doors and drawer fronts,” the most of which are made in a factory somewhere. Boring. I want to do something else if I can, but what?
European design just absolutely blows my mind, and I find myself reading quite a bit on it, even though these are often modular kitchens that one would simply send away for and have installed by a local craftsman. But what fascinates me is the utter innovation of those designs, so I find myself returning to them quite a bit.
I am also looking to design a kitchen for my wife in a too small space in a tract home, which necessarily lets out those wonderful European designs that excite me so. And whenever I find myself going out on a limb with some idea or another for our kitchen, my wife always grounds me by saying, “If you stick with the classics, you won’t grow tired of them.”
So, what do you do that is different and yet timeless and practical and stimulating to make if you’re a cabinetmaker? Damned if I know, but if I ever figure it out, I mean to make it for us and splash that baby all over the Internet!
What you’ve written, though, has given me quite a bit to think about, and I thank you for sharing your concepts.