Karen > wrote in
:

> Wayne wrote:
>
>> "Vox Humana" > wrote in
>> :
>>
>>
>>>"Wayne" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>>>"Matthew L. Martin" > wrote in
:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Wayne wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>However, a bit earlier, but still lasting into the early sixties,
>>>>>>GE introduced Yellow, Pink, Turquoise, and Cocoa. These colors
>>>>>>were available in virtually all GE electric appliances, and
>>>>>>matching colors were offered by other manufacturer's in kitchen
>>>>>>cabinets and plumbing fixtures.
>>>>>
>>>>>My late MIL had a turquoise, hang on the wall refrigerator. My aunt
>>>>>still does. This proves that at least two of them were made.
>>>>>
>>>>>Matthew (refrigerator on the wall == act of faith)
>>>>
>>>>About ten years ago a friend of mine bought an early sixties house
>>>>which had a huge all turquoise kitchen...appliances, steel cabinets,
>>>>and sinks. There were two 4-burner electric cooktops, two wall
>>>>ovens, refrigerator, freezer, and two sinks. There had been only
>>>>one previous owner who apparently never cooked. Everything looked
>>>>as though it had just been installed. The refrigerator and freezer
>>>>were both wall-mounted.
>>>>
>>>>--
>>>>Wayne in Phoenix
>>>
>>>Article on mid-century kitchens with picture of turquoise cabinets
>>>and appliances:
>>>http://www.worldandi.com/subscribers....asp?num=24009
>>>
>>>I had relative who owned a small town appliance store in the 1960s.
>>>They had kitchen with powder blue cabinets and appliances - a color
>>>that I have never seen again.
>>
>>
>> Thanks for posting that link, Vox. Interesting, and a nice bit of
>> nostalgia attached.
>>
>> I've never seen or heard of the powder blue color either. Could it
>> have been custom?
>>
>> When I was growing up, we lived in a home that was probably built and
>> outfitted in the late forties. That kitchen had heavy steel cabinets
>> and all-electric appliances which were all colored "jadite" green,
>> and lots of chrome. I always thought it was rather pretty.
>>
>
> It was an interesting article but (here comes one of my pet peeves) I
> am continually amazed that whenever someone wants to give a room a
> "50's look" or "retro look" they inevitably install a black and white
> checkered floor. As someone who is well versed in 40's/50's design I
> can guarantee there were far more choices than that! In fact, I
> recall seeing just a couple "black and white" (usually not a solid
> color but with a marbleized look. See:
> http://www.flexcofloors.com/rubber_retro.asp
> and click on "color palette") checkered floors in all of the magazines
> and design books I have from that era and even then the tiles were
> usually 9" squared, not the 12" squared that is prevalent today. It's
> amazing how different a floor looks when done in 9" squares as opposed
> to 12" squares. I truly wonder why people just default to that black
> and white checkered pattern?!
>
> I dream of finding a 40's/50's home in unaltered condition! Until
> then I will continue to redecorate each room in my current home to as
> close to the 50's as possible. My husband and I started a kitchen
> remodel last fall and when it is FINALLY finished (we wanted to do
> most of the work ourselves) I will post a link to some pictures if
> anyone is interested.
>
> Wayne, the kitchen of your youth sounds incredible! Lucky you!
>
> Karen B. - thevintagegirl

I agree with what you've said, Karen. Also popular during the 40's/50's
was "battleship" linoleum, use primarily for floors, but also popular on
walls and counters.

In the 1920's home we lived in prior to the one described earlier, every
surface in the kitchen, except the cabinets and appliances, was covered
in inlaid linoleum. The central portion of the floor and upper walls was
a lighly marbelized gold. The border of the floor and lower walls was a
lightly marbelized cocoa brown. The central portion had inlaid diamond
shapes of the cocoa color. The countertops were a solid red with a few
gold flecks.

The bathroom was done in a similar fashion, in shades of buff and maroon
linoleum. I think both the kitchen and bath had been renovated in the
1940's.

Twice a year, all the linoleum surfaces were stripped and recoated and
polished with paste wax.

Those were two great kitchens. I wish I had pictures! Alas, the
kitchens they had after that were "standard issue".

--
Wayne in Phoenix

unmunge as w-e-b

*If there's a nit to pick, some nitwit will pick it.
*A mind is a terrible thing to lose.