I like the way the gas water heater is given a place of honor in that dual purpose kitchen/laundry. I suppose it WAS a thing of pride - 20 gallons or more of piping hot water at the turn of a faucet - no need to stoke the wood stove linked heater coils. These days such an appliance is hidden away behind louvered doors, or, better yet, put into the basement or garage.
I recall one flat we lived on in the mid-60's, on Stanyan Street in SF. It was the first floor of a three story building. Typical SF "railroad" or "shotgun" flat. Long central hallway, with rooms off to either side. The toilet was in its own separate little "water closet", no sink. Sink and shower down the hall, lol. Pushbutton light switches, remnants of old gas lighting on the walls as well. $110/mo rent! The kitchen was quite antique, with a spurting 20 gallon gas water heater in the middle of it, next to the stove. Old cracked linoleum on the floor, as well. The kitchen sink looked out on a dingy stairwell between buildings. Even worse was how it emptied into a kind of square cast iron strainer trap on the enclosed landing. I will not attempt to describe what it was like to try to clean it out.