How the AGA cooker became an Icon

DOROTHY BRADDELL
LAURENCE WRIGHT
MABEL COLLINS
eir sales exceeded expectations, and
Mr Wren [Managing Director of AGA
Heat Ltd] is very well satisfied.”
e success of Braddell’s kitchen displays
led to her being given a wider role. A
minute of the time read: “An arrangement
is being made with Mrs Braddell which
will make her services available to Allied
Ironfounders in connection with designing
of goods and of Exhibition Stands.”
5
In the 1930s, Braddell redesigned a
traditional farmhouse kitchen for AGA
Heat Ltd, both versions of which were
exhibited on behalf of the company and
tied into marketing initiatives advocating
the importance of a planned kitchen, and
how well the AGA cooker would fit into
such an environment.
Braddell was impartial in her designs,
creating kitchens which used solid fuel,
gas and electricity. Her philosophy was
functionalist, based on commonsense
and practicality rather than any particular
affiliation.
She was, however, vocal in her support for
the AGA cooker.
“Solid fuel cookers have recently taken
on a new lease of life – or rather there
has been a renaissance in their design
and conception, thanks largely to the
introduction of a cooker of foreign
inspiration.
“is has set an equally high standard in
cooking performance and economy of
upkeep which remains difficult to beat.”
q
Painting a picture of the future of modern kitchens
Dorothy Braddell’s kitchen designs were painted – rather than simply photographed – by Lawrence
Wright (1906-1983), an author, perspective artist and major commentator on the home. He painted
kitchen images for AGA Heat Ltd from 1936 and (as illustrated here) they show that changes to the
styling of the AGA cooker were being introduced in the second half of the 1930s. The freestanding AGA
cooker, along with the black glass reflective walls and yellow curtains and piping make this kitchen
design feel thoroughly modern, although it is in fact almost 80 years old. The strength of the AGA
cooker in this kitchen living context was that it provided a natural centrepiece that was both practical
and beautiful. An advertisement of the time stated: "Here's a cool and collected kitchen designed by
Mrs Darcy Braddell. The small sink beside the cooker is for cook's convenience. Plenty of cupboards,
too, a big window and nowhere for dust or dirt to collect."
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