Fantasy Kitchens of the 1950s

If there are 2 words that epitomise aspirational interior decoration in the 1950s they are 'Fitted Kitchen' (followed closely by 'open plan').


Leisure Kitchens December 1954. Click for Big


Nevastane March 1955. Click for Big


Redwing March 1956. Click for Big

Many companies that had made aircraft and armaments during the war turned their
factory production to metal furniture including all-metal kitchen cabinets.


English Rose metal kitchen July 1954. Click for Big


Paul kitchen MArch 1956. Click for Big


Finch November 1952.

Moulding techniques allowed a more streamlined look than could be obtained from wood, though the introduction of coloured formica and other wipe clean surfaces soon smartened up the wooden kitchens and their deigners realised they needed to make more than oblong boxes to compete.


Formica in a wooden kitchen April 1955. Click for Big


Formica in a metal kitchen January 1955. Click for Big

In 1954 colour-coordinated appliances were introduced.


Warwick cooker December 1954.


Paul kitchen May 1954. Click for Big

Pirate's Gold

It's not easy to find interesting cocktails that contain Southern Comfort. But this one comes straight from the horses mouth - a leaflet that came with this promotional cocktail shaker from the manufacturers themselves. Some time in the 1960s by the look of the bunny girls.



1 1/2 meaures Southern Comfort
1/2 measure Bacardi
1/2 measure lemon juice
orange juice

Fill a tall glass with crushed ice and add the measures of lemon juice, rum and
Southern Comfort, stir and top up with orange juice, garnish with fruit.

Fruity with warm herby undertones.

Trio for Smartness 1936. Beret, Scarf & Belt to Match

From Woman's Illustrated Nov 7 1936



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My Rayne Shoes on TV !!!!!!!!

Drum roll please.

Those of you in the UK will already have noted the plethora of Royal Wedding programmes scheduled by the BBC and others. But here is one you MUSTN'T miss.

Thursday April 28th at 09.15 (huh?) on BBC1: "When Royals Wed" part 4

Now, I'm sorry to suggest you should watch a programme called "When Royals Wed", but can guarantee there will be some great shoes in this episode. Part 4 is about clothes and other accompniments to wedding success and will be featuring craftsmen who contributed to previous Royal Weddings including Nicholas Rayne who will be talking about Queen (Princess then) Elizabeth's wedding sandals.


NOT Queen Elizabeth's wedding sandals

Other episodes
Monday April 25th at 09.10 on BBC1: "When Royals Wed" part 1
Tuesday April 26th at 09.15 on BBC1: "When Royals Wed" part 2
Wednesday April 27th at 09.15 on BBC1: "When Royals Wed" part 3
Thursday April 28th at 09.15 on BBC1: "When Royals Wed" part 4

Hey, did you happen to see the most expensive shoes in the world?

After seeing these shoes in a news article here at £140,000 I felt the need to find something a little more affordable (and wearable?)


Yes, solid gold and diamonds.

LA Nights by Poetic License


Sling Bling Wedge by Iregular Choice


Tea & Cakes Bunny Bow by Irregular Choice


Mystic Decorative by Jane Shilton (you know I'm a sucker for brogues)


White Sandals by Marco Tozzi


Priscilla Wedges by Moda in Pelle

Cherry Whisky

1/2 teaspoon Angostura Bitters
1 teaspoon Grenadine
1/2 gill Scotch Whisky
1 dash lemon peel juice
1 Cherry

Half fill a tumbler with crushed ice then add the bitters, grenadine and whisky.
Stir well and strain into a short glass. Add the cherry as decoration, and the lemon peel juice squeezed on top.



For a gal who isn't too keen on whisky (at least the affordable sort) this turned out rather well. Fruity and slightly sweet.

Absolute Pap!

Another recent find is this 1930s brilliantine tin - still full.
Not really surprising perhaps, given the brand name.



Brilliantine is now used mainly by men, but in the 30s was very popular to give
definition to pincurls and rolls.

Pap:
1. Soft or semi-liquid food, as for infants.
2. an idea or material lacking real value or substance

Presumably the name derived from the first definition and not the second?
Lovely tin, terrible name!

Now available at Wickedlady Collectables, lots of new listings: hats shoes,
clothes etc.

Hunting

I've been out hunting - or antiquing as it seems to be called now - this week.
April is the start of the season in earnest. Winter fairs are usually an ordeal of mud, rain and cold, but now the fun begins again, I always get reinvigorated at this time of year after a few months of buying being a chore, now it is a pleasure again.


Newark International Antiques Fair


Some of my favourite finds

Military style 1930s ladies hat, really want to keep this for myself but I already have 3 black hats (I need a navy one)


Late 40s Utility wedding sandals


1930s cotton scarf with fairies/princesses/godmothers (your choice)

Plus there are loads of new clothes, magazines and some tins to come too.

Incorrigible Tempter

Edward Rayne himself in an advert from 1975, one of a series of tongue in cheek adverts all in a similar vein.


Vogue October 1975


Merida in black. Only 5 more colours to collect.

Spring in the Garden

I've been thinking about getting out the garden furniture as the weather has been so nice recently. But alas thinking is as far as I have got. However when I found this picture in one of the 1950s home magazines I purchased recently I realised that I couldn't possibly sit outside in anything less than the 4 piece primary squared outfit of the girl on the airbed. £7 15s (all sold separately).


House Beautiful June 1955. Click for big