Martha Stewart’s 1980s Powder Blue Kitchen Is the Design Blueprint for the Modern Maximalist Movement – It's Never Felt More Inspiring

Martha Stewart has been shaping the way we think about home design for decades, and even her earliest interiors continue to offer a wealth of inspiration. The queen of domestic arts clearly knows a thing or two about timeless design, and her 1980s kitchen is a perfect example of how a well-considered space can stand the test of time.

In a throwback snapshot shared on Instagram, Martha is pictured making pancakes in her vintage kitchen – but it wasn’t her recipe that caught our attention. Instead, it was the powder blue kitchen tiles that wrapped the countertop and oven. While the kitchen undeniably reflects its era, it also feels surprisingly current, serving as a reminder of the cyclical nature of interior trends and the lasting appeal of confident color.

If you’re looking for ways to introduce vintage charm and personality into your kitchen, Martha’s 1980s space offers plenty of inspiration. Here's why interior designers continue to admire this timeless tile idea now more than ever.

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Square tiles are such a classic choice for a kitchen. Laid in a simple stack, they make a utilitarian tile option, but by choosing powder blue instead of white, Martha's brave use of color feels far more invigorating. Seen in a robin's-egg blue shade, they bring punchy pastel tones to the humble 80s kitchen.

'This particular shade in Martha Stewart’s kitchen is a very pale sky blue and is a great, tranquil choice, ideal for your beachside homes and coastal-style interior design, or in traditional homes when matching with pale beiges,' says Isy Jackson of Chelt Interiors. 'Nowadays, instead of white grouting, you can match the grout to the tile and achieve more of a color-drenching effect, which you may prefer as a more contemporary yet timeless look.'

If you've been tempted by the rise of vintage kitchens with charming, cottage-core-inspired decor, these tiles are a great way to get the look. As well as pairing with beiges, Isy says these robin’s egg blue-inspired tiles would look great with pastel lemony yellow, pastel coral pinks, and very light gray. 'For a sleek and refined look, combine blue ceramic tiles with grays, whites, and brushed nickel to create a sophisticated and balanced palette,' she says.

To recreate the look, search for 'milk tiles' in a 6-inch by 6-inch format. Follow Martha's lead and use them for a tile countertop idea, or use them to create a simple backsplash or windowsill. 'The calming tones of Robin’s Egg Blue will add a soft and soothing character to your home, and they pair so well with natural stone and neutrals as well as other pastel colors for those that are more daring with color palettes,' explains Isy.

Simple and enduring, square tiles have a rare ability to transcend decades, promising to feel just as relevant 40 years from now as they do today. As Martha Stewart’s 1980s kitchen proves, this classic format brings an effortless balance of practicality and charm, lending spaces a vintage-inspired character that feels warm rather than dated.