23 June 1957 “1940’s Interiors”

I found a wonderful folder full of images from the Kirsch  Company in a box of family items. I believe it was my hubby’s Maternal Grandmother’s, as she went to College for Interior Design in the 1930’s. I believe, however, that these seem to be from the 1940s. I am guessing they are post war 1940’s by their design, but there is no date on the folder.

There are quite a few separate sheets, each containing two drawings with descriptions. You can imagine they are mostly focused on the drapery, as this is advertising material from the company, but the interiors are so lovely I just wanted to share some of them.

I think this feminine room is quite lovely and they are making use of Pink and Green. I like that the lightness of the pink floats on the ceiling, the soft green paper envelopes the room and a deep burgundy (a deep Pink really) grounds the space. I know a gal could feel pretty and lovely in a space like this at that vanity each day, don’t you think? This clean and modern kitchen shows that red and green (Complimentary colors on the color wheel) are not meant to be relegated only to the Christmas Season. As an aside, when they speak of ‘glass’ curtains they are referring to fiberglass. This material was the rage and the sheer ruffled curtains often seen in movies and interiors of the time where indeed this new material, needing no iron and lasting forever. The cheery cherry red on these counter tops are highlighted in the curtains and the wonderful geraniums on the window’s ledge.

I think this kitchen has such an interesting feature. Look under the sink ( a space which can become cluttered or poorly used) and see how airy it is. They have installed glass block to allow light through. That is what makes me think these images could actually be from the late 30’s as well as into the 1940’s. Particularly this last one has the look of a kitchen one might see in a Shirley Temple movie. I love a crisp white and a deep navy. It always looks as sharp and fresh as a summer’s day, evoking sailing and sharp beach umbrellas. I love the built in next to the sink, as well. I am always a sucker for a good shelf for display in the kitchen.

I thought I would close with these good tips on spaces in placing interiors. They are always good to keep in mind in your home, I think.

I hope these little tips help. I sometimes to refer to them when I rearrange things in the house.

There is a new Vintage Daily News today (simply click image to the right). Happy Homemaking.

21 June 1957 “Summer is a Comin In: Fashion”

Today is officially the first day of Summer. I can’t believe it is here already. Our weather, here in the North East, has also made for a rather long and wet Spring. I for one have rather enjoyed it, as it has been lovely to have cooler weather a bit longer. We often don’t get much Spring here on the Cape, as we find winter ending and Summer beginning almost overnight. Not this year, as the rain and cool temps have made for a wet Spring.

Now, however, Sumer is icumen in. I have always loved this song and it has always been humming about my head this time of year, so why not enjoy it before we peruse some lovely Summer fashions for 1957:

These fun looks by Emilio Pucci are beginning to show the move towards more Pop and Graphic prints in fashion. Pucci will, as many of you know, be a forerunner in fabric style in the 1960’s. His graphic looks for 1957 and what lies ahead .

We can see here that the silhouette is still very 1950’s, yet we are beginning to see the skirt rise. The bottom right boxy look and more 20’s inspired hats are leading into the trend of the 1960’s. I really do love the looks from 1955-1964. This is the time period in which I believe I will continue to dress, as the variety is there as well as many classic looks. The ultra femininity of the 50’s and then the fun bolder and cleaner use of that same shape in the early 60’s. Once we hit the mini, the maxi dress and hot pants, I’m out. A nice A-line dress just above the knee can be very lovely, but a mini dress, with blousy sleeves and boots looks great if you are 16 and on everyone else, to me, it seems too young.

Pedal pushers were the cool day craze in 1957. Here we see an everyday young lady enjoying them. They were a bit higher than a Capri, which were available and in the vernacular of the fashion of the time. There were also clam diggers which were a longer short, longer than a Bermuda. In this pattern I would say the pair on the top right, though obviously meant to be pedal pushers as she is next to a bike, I would consider a clam digger, while a pedal pusher would be a bit longer and of course the Bermuda shorts on the bottom right. Perhaps clam diggers are just an East coast term. The bottom left would actually be considered a Capri at the time, as they were slim fit pant, but not as tight as a cigarette pant. Obviously the Bermuda and the Capri were both named for the vacation locale where they gained popularity and were meant to signify a ‘holiday’ spirit.

This summer, 1957, the Pedal Pusher would even inspire Karl Perkins in his hit “Pink Pedal Pushers”:

And we cannot talk of summer fashion without mentioning bathing costumes. This lovely little number is showing the graphic prints we are seeing more and more of as the decade ends. I love this models figure and wonder if they did a certain type of exercise to get the nipped in waist and full hips while still being quite skinny. Today’s thin models are just straight rails that look more like 10 year old boys.

I adore this suit and it would be so flattering on many figures. And you could easily tie a nice full wrap skirt around this, head to the store or afternoon party and look very put together. Here are some lovely ‘real’ ladies in 1957 enjoying the beach. Shorts, dresses, swimsuits and head scarves, all appropriate beach attire.

I haven’t spoken much lately about sewing. It is still happening, only I have been so busy with preparing the house for sale and all that entails, it has slowed somewhat. However, with Summer here and the inspiration of the graphic looks, I found some lovely fabric the other day.

Here it is. I am not sure why it will not photograph properly, but it is dark navy background (it is not black) with lovely pink and green graphics. You can see how the fabric has a border pattern, so I am going to make a dress with this fabric as the skirt and that pattern along the bottom. Then I bought some plain navy cotton to match and the top will be solid navy to match the background of this. I think it will feel fresh and cool and I shall share it with you when it is done.

I hope all of you are excited about the coming Summer, and my ‘down under’ followers, I suppose you are coming into Winter.

I realized today that I listed yesterday’s news with the wrong date. It was June 20 yesterday and today is the 21st. So, there is a new News day today and you simply click the large icon on the right to go to that page.

Happy Homemaking!

20 June 1957 “Tomato Specials: Fun Ways to Cook that Wonderful Summer Staple”

Rather you get your tomatoes the old fashioned way, or are happy to fill your bag at the local market, Tomatoes are one of the staples of summer.

I always enjoy trying various Heirloom varieties and this year the Black Krim is happily growing in my little plot. I am also growing two other fun varieties: 1) Dr. Carolyn   which is a cherry size in bright yellow and is described as “It has an excellent balance of sugar, tartness and depth of flavor. The pale yellow, cherry-sized fruits are typically borne 6 to a cluster with fruits of uniform size measuring 1-1/4" x 1-1/4". The large vines are extremely vigorous, well branched, and provide excellent cover”

and 2) Anna’s Noir described as “Also known as Black Pineapple, the skin has shades of green, purple, orange, and yellow. Bright green flesh has bursts of red streaks that will definitely add intrigue to your vegetable platter. The lip smacking flavor starts out sweet and ends with the perfect amount of tang. What's more, the sprawling indeterminate plant yields a tremendous amount of 1 1/2 pound fruits.”

If you want to try some tomatoes this year, I have a few fun varieties in the Corner Store HERE.

But, for today I thought I would share these lovely vintage tomato recipes fit for the summer. Some are even good for those vintage loving people who are also vegetarians. Enjoy:

This recipe would be lovely for a ladies luncheon or tea.

Tomatoes and Bacon are a wonderful combination, but then again, what is improved with bacon?

Though the suggestion here is to serve with cold meat (which would be lovely) a wonderful option would be to serve these on a roll as a tomato burger with all the trimmings!

  Again, we have a lovely vintage vegetarian option.

I have been rather busy, as many of you know, preparing my home for sale, having yard sales to drastically downsize my possessions and planning for our future. Therefore I had set aside the daily vintage news for a bit. However, I do think it was fun to do and though I am not sure how many of you enjoyed it, I will be trying to do it daily. I will now have a link button there on the right, as opposed to having at the bottom of the blog. This will allow you to click and go straight to it. This also allows me more design freedom in this format. Have a lovely day and as always, Happy Homemaking!

18 June 1957 “Social Class in America”

I have always been fascinated by class structure. Many, to this day, believe America has never had a European style class structure, but honestly that is not completely true.

As many in this country are aware, our own division of middle and upper class is vastly changing. Even those who were once on that threshold of upper middle and lower upper class are finding a divide. The current trend towards globalization and the marriage of a few very powerful corporations are continuing to decrease the value of the American dollar. Therefore those who felt themselves comfortably upper middle or solid upper class will begin to see their blue chip stock/real estate based wealth, which was a solid foundation for years, begin to crumble. In a way they may even become a new type of middle class, those who once had a sold wealth finding its very foundation rocked. As real estate is devalued and the currency also lowers its worth,  a millionaire may suddenly find his millions worth half of what they once were. And they will be more aware of the purse strings.

The middle class, which grew intensely after WWII, has seen much change. That white collar job with good mobility has been decreasing over the past decade. Even the lower middle class move of bank clerk or retail store manager is beginning to lose its mobility as retail continually moves towards the internet and the need for sales decreases. The production of course, also has moved out. This affects all classes, except the uber upper class, I call them. Those few families whose wealth began with the huge move towards industrialization at the end of the 1900’s. Those families, Johnsons, Rockefellers, and the like now have grown and connected their fortunes so much of our countries wealth and production is in the hands of about 7 major combined corporations. This makes the possible local ‘upper class’ (as in the following film ) with a man with a company/factory in town almost impossible.

It is still all fascinating to me and the division of class is rather a descriptive view of our times. Here you can watch this 1957 American view of the lower, middle, and upper class of a local town. Enjoy and do you think class structure still exists? Do you believe our own middle class is disappearing? Are you aware that recently our U.S. poverty level numbers have risen and those who were on the border last year might now be firmly living below the poverty level?

Happy Homemaking.

16 June 1957 “The Little Ads with the Big Promise: Advertising in the Backs of Vintage Magazines”

I don’t know what it is about these tiny advertisements in the back of my various vintage magazines, but I love pouring over them. Perhaps it is some of that same excitement of my own late 70’s early 80’s youth when such ads in my various comic books intrigued me. There was always some wonderful toy, invention, or promise you could get by saving up money and sending it through the mail. Then, the eventual wait for that package. Perhaps that is why the internet is such a successful place for shopping; we all have that child-like anticipation of finding the hidden treasure and ‘sending away’ for it. Of course, today it is so much easier, no going to the post until the package arrives and so much easier to shop with a click. It’s as if our money (now digital) is just this magic thing out there somewhere with a bottomless pit for us to dig into.

I digress and on to the fun. These are just a few of the various ads from the literal multitudes peopling the backs of my publications. Enjoy!

What proud Barbequing Dad wouldn’t want this handy sturdy apron? I think it a fun design even for we gals, don’t you?

The eponymous ‘pink flamingo’ that the modern world always associates with the 1950s. We all wore poodle skirts, had D.A’s, drove ‘57 Chevy’s, listened to Elvis, Voted for Ike, and had pink flamingos on our modern ranch home postage stamp lawns, right? Well, we know that is not true, yet what is intriguing about this ad (from a 1953 publication) is the birds are actually cast aluminum, not the cheap plastic of today. I also bet they were much more decorative and a lot less kitsch. I wonder if anyone has these originals kicking about in the back of a potting shed?

  As a former flower shop owner, I can appreciate a good floral container. Many people today do not even know what a floral frog is (it is either metal with spikes or glass with holes and is placed in the bottom of any container to hold up the stems of flowers in an arrangement. I often see them at antique stores, often mislabeled I might ad.) This darling little pansy pot is quaint and you don’t see many people using cut pansy’s today. I am not sure why, as they are very popular in Spring as the first flowers to go into window boxes and outdoor pots here in New England.

I once had an elderly gentleman come to my shop and ask for a nosegay of violets for his wife for their anniversary. It was the first bunch of flowers he had ever given her (most like in the 1930’s) Though I knew what he was talking about, I was unable to assist as one could not get cut pansy (A violet is actually a pansy-often called ‘johnny jump ups’ as they are notorious re-seeders and will pop up everywhere the Spring after their first planting.) Not sure why they went out of fashion.

These legs are readily avialable today and many people use them to recreate or repair their mid century modern furniture. I was not aware they came in colors, as I have always seen them used in black. Now, for any 50’s home decorating purist, get that spray paint can out and have a go at the boring black available today and know you are in keeping with the decade.

The decorative aluminum screen door is also very 1950’s suburbia. I would love to get my hands on a catalog from this company to see their various designs. The one pictured with the southern bell in her hoops accompanied by the flourishes is amazing. There was quite a bit of bravery, style, and some ‘tongue-in-cheek’ in the mid-century designs. I bet any of these doors that were left alone are still just as sturdy and reliable as when they were so proudly first installed.

I love that these little foot stools are advertised as TV loungettes. I often see old pictures of kids or teens on these in front of the TV while Mum and Dad are on the sofa.  Here, little sis enjoys the comfort of a rather flouncy loungette. Here we see little brother have a go. And, why not two to a loungette?

I can’t imagine a modern child or anyone today using these, as the hours required for video games or ‘marathons’ on the various cable channels require larger, softer, and sturdier seating.

I often see these glass sets, some glass some aluminum, available. I wonder how many were bought through these ‘back of the magazine’ ads?

It is pretty standard today to have those little hooks in one’s car to hang hangers on. Here on the Cape we often, this time of year, see the cars with the Florida plates and various amounts of clothing thus hung in back seats as the ‘Snow Birds’, as they are called, return to nest here in their summer homes. I rather like this one, it looks like it would hold quite a bit and would save on any ironing after one unpacks (ironing not being one of my favorite 1950’s skills I acquired).

Some things are very vintage, such as this visor organizer with slots for cigarettes and maps, two things vastly out of style. I am sure many cars now are equipped with GPS (though we do not have one and no thank you). I rather like the sunglasses pictured.

Some advertising isn’t for a product but a service. Here the homemaker can branch out her cooking and decorating skills to become an at home cake decorator. Such extra pin money earning opportunities existed for the homemaker. One had either the local talent of the local bakery to go to for such occasions. Today we have the supermarket chain or any big chain where they pump out the bland cakes with far too much icing for low low prices. I once worked in this field and I can tell you, you do not want to know how old your grocery store cake is. They come in prebaked, frozen and sit in boxes awaiting their thawing and icing. The icing is loaded with preservatives and literally sits in 5 gallon buckets unrefrigerated (no need with all the chemicals). Make your own cake, go to a local bakery, or ask a talented friend, you will never eat grocery store cake again!

Well, I hope you enjoyed this little foray into the back of the magazine, where so many little gems are hidden. If you like these types of ads, I will gladly do more posts about them, there are so many varied types of products!

Happy Homemaking.

14 June 1957 “Morgan Learns To Like Food: Children’s Eating Habits”

“Morgan sulks over his scrambled eggs, whines, drops food on floor. He loves pickles and Mother says he can have one after he’s eaten the eggs.”

Having no children of my own I would never deign to give parenting advice, but I do like the various bits of wisdom and knowledge I glean from my vintage magazines and books.

This particular article caught my eye the other day, as a friend and I were talking about eating habits and our likes and dislikes. I was finding it hard to list any foods I do not like. My friend, having been raised by parents who were not very, shall we say, attentive to dietary needs or even general good health and attention, used to allow her to literally eat a box of cereal or cheese crackers as a meal. If she did not want what was for dinner, usually somewhat devoid of vegetables anyway, she was allowed to eat fish sticks and that is it.

I think because of my own early food variety I had a greater palette and therefore find more foods good or interesting. I was always told I had to at least ‘try it and eat half’ before I decided I did or did not like it. However, there were no special orders for me at meal time. My mother prepared our meals and I ate what was prepared. She would, however, take requests as I began to find things I enjoyed more. Yet we always had a vegetable and usually a fruit at breakfast as well as starch and carbohydrates and of course we had a protein at each meal. I grew up with breakfasts of pancakes, waffles, with sausage or bacon and the like.

I recall once astonishing a friend because she was upset over their family having liver and onions. I said, “Mmm, I love liver and onions” and got the strangest look. Perhaps having older parents (who started their married life and parenting in the early 1950’s) I was simply exposed to a greater or different variety of foods early on than my 70/80’s contemporaries. To this day I love all offal and often will smile with glee when chicken livers, beef kidneys, and their like are on sale in my local grocery. Most often I found myself commiserating with my friends grannies over the loveliness of meals their grandkids wouldn’t touch, as they preferred boxed mac n cheese.

I even enjoy all shell fish including raw oysters and anything from the ocean, even kelp and seaweeds, as one gets at Japanese restaurants.

So, I was thinking how I would not alter our eating had we a child. If we had kidneys at breakfast as our child would eat them, well I would insist he try them. But, if from the time he was a child, I simply gave them to him, I suppose he would just eat them. I could of course be completely wrong. I know that now we have no cereal at breakfast since 1955 except good ole’ fashioned slow cooked steel cut oatmeal usually with fresh fruit and some molasses.

I had a friend who has a small son. We once went out to lunch together and she said, “Oh, he will only eat chicken fingers” and he literally ate just processed breaded chicken fingers for dinner, nary a vegetable touched his lips. But his mother also eats almost no vegetables and has very poor eating habits, so learned at home I would imagine.

I suppose those of you with children know best and having a child that is simply ‘picky’ might be more about personality than palette, I don’t know. But, let’s learn how in 1952 Morgan’s mother dealt with the issue of ‘not eating’ when

MORGAN LEARNS TO LIKE FOOD

• Morgan Hall when three and a half was a healthy normal boy- a bit on the thin side but wiry and active. The doctor pronounced him in good condition. But like many children his age, MO used to dawdle over his food. According to the mother he “ate practically nothing/” She worried a great deal about the balanced diet she was sure he wasn’t getting. Worry let to nagging and nagging to misery at mealtime.
• Then suddenly Mrs. Hall decided she must change her approach co0mpletely. “For how can anyone have a good appetite when he’s being nagged and pressured into eating?” she thought. First and foremost she discovered ways to lead Mo to some of the unexplored joys to be found in food. Then at mealtime she served his favorites and stopped watching. Now the balanced diet is always on hand but never forced on him. His parents realize that pleasure in food and happy mealtimes are the best foundation for a healthy appetite-and eventually will pay off.

  “Mo helps Mother shell peas while she scrapes carrots. They talk and laugh together. Now and then she pops a piece of carrot in her own mouth but never urges him to.

“Pancakes for Sunday Breakfast. Mother asks him to fetch eggs and the beater. At first he just watches, then wants to help. What child can resist the chance to use a beater and make a bowl of egg white come foaming up just like soapsuds?” “Now it’s Mo’s turn to use the fascinating scraper and make a nice heap of shavings. Later he bites a carrot halfheartedly, Mother pays no attention. “Mother readies the batter, invites Mo to spoon it onto the hot griddle and watch what happens-a messy but absorbing operation. “ ‘let’s count the little bubbles,’ says mother, ‘and see how many there are when it’s time to turn it.’ Mo loses track.” “The pancake’s done. Mrs. Hall dashes it onto a plate with butter and sirup. ‘That’s how Dad likes it,’ she says, then goes about her business while nature takes its course. See what’s happened! Dad will surely need another.” “ ‘Tisn’t manners but sirup’s good to the last drop; for a youngster, it’s even better when licked from the plate.” “Mother and Mo laugh because she couldn’t count the bubbles either.  ‘We’ll try again soon,’ she says.” “What a change! Instead of cross words and tears, Mo’s really a good table companion now.  Nobody makes him eat or looks cross if he can’t finish. Gradually he dawdles less, eats more than he used to. Everyone feels better. He still likes pickles.” “He loves to drink a ‘milk toast’. Thinks saying “Here’s mud in your eye!” is hilariously funny, wants it again and again. Parents humor him for a while but call quits if he starts getting silly.” “Mo isn’t a big eater yet and may not be for several years. But he eats what for him, at this age and stage of growth, is enough. Good-humored parents, good feeling at mealtime-these bring sure results.”

  

I wonder if Morgan turned into a good eater after all. My friend, who now eats more than cheez crackers, had to slowly train herself to like various foods and vegetables. There are still many things she doesn’t like and it makes it harder for her to enjoy eating out at certain places. I know I am glad that I like most foods (though I do need to like less of them and shed those extra pounds).

I also recall that I wasn’t allowed to wander around with food. I ate at the table or on special nights if we had a movie or something, snacks on the sofa. We always had dinner at the table and never with a TV on. I was surprised many of my friends mother’s had TV’s in their kitchens and often just ate wherever they felt like it. I suppose in many ways I always felt a bit ‘out of time’ due to my older parents home rules. But, were I to have a child, they were have to unfortunately feel as equally unconnected as there would be meals At table. There would be no wandering about with hands in cereal boxes or cracker boxes. It seems we have enough work to do as homemakers then to add more crumbs and mess to every room in the house, right?!

Do any of you have fussy or picky children? How do you deal with it? Did you eat everything as a child or were you let choose willy nilly? A very interesting topic, I think.

Happy Homemaking.