Blame it on Lucy
One of my very favorite television programs as a young girl was “I Love Lucy“. It still is, actually. I have the first 5 seasons on DVD and the rest on my Amazon wishlist (David, if you’re reading this and looking for a no-occasion surprise for me one of these days, that’s a hint).
For some reason, I’ve always had a fondness for the 50s. The clothes, the home decor, and even the life of the typical housewife hold a certain fascination for me.
A few months after we married we bought an older house in our small town and I had the time of my life “playing house” for real. The house needed a lot of work and the kitchen was tiny but I didn’t care. I was in college at the time but whenever I wasn’t at school or studying I was taking care of my husband and my little house. And I loved it.
I recall a certain dress I had which reminded me a little of something Lucy would have worn. I can remember wearing that dress to do my shopping and run errands. I also had inherited a few of my grandmother’s aprons which I proudly wore at home while cooking or cleaning house.
Several years, two children, and a nursing degree later, we bought another older house. This one was in nearly perfect shape while still retaining all its original charm. I couldn’t have loved a house any more than I did that one. When we first looked at it I remember thinking that the kitchen would have to be redone but at least it was large. Fortunately our real estate agent encouraged us to consider keeping the original metal cabinets. I am so glad we listened (and that we didn’t have the money for a complete overhaul anyway!). Some new wallpaper and accessories transformed it into what I referred to as my Betty Crocker kitchen:
When we moved to our current house (in 1998) my greatest disappointment was the kitchen. Leaving behind that adorable vintage kitchen for a design disaster straight out of the early 80s – dropped fluorescent ceiling and all – was a little hard to take. But David promised we could remodel it.
We did take the vintage stove from the other house. We replaced it with a new stove and I’m sad to say that the new owners ripped out those wonderful cabinets and replaced them with something from Home Depot. It still makes me sick to think about it.
I spent countless hours designing my new kitchen which you can see part of in the photo at the top of this post. I’ve posted other pictures here before which show the eating area and baking center. I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out and I feel like a 50s housewife when I’m cooking in there.
The other day I was reading a post on the blog, Apron Revolution, and saw this video about a “new” kitchen in the 50s. I thought it was quite interesting so I’m sharing it with you:
I’m not the only one enamored with the lifestyle of a previous era. My daughter’s blog is called Retro Housewife Goes Green. Apparently the vintage apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Here’s a little clip from an I Love Lucy episode which shows their kitchen:
I love this channel where an architect with a passion for set design shares her computer generated tours of TV and movie homes. Here is the one she did for the I Love Lucy apartment:
I suppose when it comes to my interest in the life of the 50s housewife you can blame it on Lucy.
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No one can make you feel inferior but yourself. Don't worry about what others think so much. Many that are "housewives" however don't have much leisure time to spend on a whim. Being a "housewife" can be down and dirty and without much reward.
I don't feel inferior at all.
If you like those cabinets, you should call the people that bought the house and ask if you can have them. Offer to remove them yourself, store them at your mom's (Deanna, you're welcome), and then you will have them when you are ready to purchase a home. Its hard to find cabinets like that in good shape simply bc they rust. You will need to pad, bubble wrap, and duct tape them to keep them dry. Just an idea.
If you like those cabinets, you should call the people that bought the house and ask if you can have them. Offer to remove them yourself, store them at your mom's (Deanna, you're welcome), and then you will have them when you are ready to purchase a home. Its hard to find cabinets like that in good shape simply bc they rust. You will need to pad, bubble wrap, and duct tape them to keep them dry. Just an idea.
I love both of your kitchens! And I also cringe when I see beautiful vintage kitchen pieces on the curb for the garbage (meaning landfill, right?)
Thank you! And yes, the thought of those lovely cabinets being thrown out makes me incredibly sad.
Love those kitchens! I grew up with the metal cabinets and black and white squares floor.My house I bought last year was built in 1977,not in good shape inside but the main bath has a blue tub and sink,I love it!
I love colored bathroom fixtures…unless they’re orange. Believe it or not, we have an orange bathtub in our guest bathroom. We did switch out the orange sink right after we moved in and I’ve got the shower curtain hung in such a way that you can’t see the tub. One of these days we plan to rip it out. Of course we’ve been saying that for over 17 years. Ha!