 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Retro Design: Boomin' Back Big Part one: Housewares From the return of Formica’s Boomerang design
counter tops to the reintroduction of ‘50s colored appliances
by Kitchen Aid and Hamilton
Beach, the return of “retro” or “retro modern,”
as the media is calling it, is in full swing, especially in the
kitchen. Design experts have floated a number of theories about
why retro is so popular now. According to a Time Magazine, “the 50s holds a special place in America’s collective imagination…The optimism was eventually shattered by the disillusionment of Vietnam and Watergate, but for a brief period America was the land of possibility…The mythology of the time looms so large that even the generations that didn't live through the era yearn for it today.” Truth told, the “idea” or “mythology” of the era was in so many ways far from reality, but it is as good an explanation as any as to the resurgence of interest in “retro.” At a time when our world seems like it’s falling apart, we long to return to a time of optimism. Still, there’s something else about the period—good solid design. This was the era of the Eames brothers and other popular designers and, with new manufacturing techniques and the wonders of plastics, good design was also very affordable. Post-war design Design in the 20 or so years following WWII was in direct contrast to the drab and utilitarian war period design. Teal, sunny yellow and bubblegum pink replaced brown and olive. Friendly, rounded shapes and whimsical ornament replaced hard edges and plain surfaces. Convenience in the kitchen was a big selling point and more and more appliances appeared on store shelves promising to make homemakers’ lives easier.
Like the look, but don’t have the cash? Discount department stores, such as Target and Shopko, have picked up on the retro trend and offer an array of vintage-inspired appliances and housewares at more reasonable prices. Of course, buying the real thing is a great alternative. In addition to Ebay, there are a number of online stores specializing in housewares from the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s and earlier decades. Garage sales, estate sales and rummage sales can turn up great finds. A number of vintage clothing stores also stock a few appliances and kitchen items, and the lucky can find great deals at second-hand shops. The hunt is almost as much fun as the discovery. Ways to go retro If you’re into retro, you could go the “buy what I like route” and create a mix of things that say “eclectic retro” or there are any number of fun themes on which to build your collection. You could chose classic retro color combinations such as pink and black, yellow and green, or red and white to start. One retro fan built her kitchen décor around 1950s and 1960s travel brochures and postcards. She added state-themed dish towels and table cloths and bought appliances to match the bright yellow, red and blues in the cards and linens. Another went the pink-and-black route with a mix of new retro appliances and original era glassware and china. Once you have your retro kitchen in place, it’s time to whip up a nice chocolate cake with your nifty stand mixer, put coffee in the perculator and have the gang over for a coffee clatch at your Formica table. —Betty |
Here’s a few online sites that offer retro housewares: Retro
Redheads Vintage
Swank |
|
back to archives main page |
Today’s
retro appliances have the look and feel of mid-century, but manufacturers
have added modern touches such as bagel-sized toaster slots and
cordless convenience. Some of the new retro is pricey. Elvira
makes fun, chubby refrigerators in a range of retro colors with
stoves to match, but the prices start around $4,000 for each.
You can get reproduction kitchen dining sets in gleaming chrome
from a number of companies—but it’ll cost you.