posted on November 7, 2008 10:07:53 AM new
How would you date this postcard based on the kitchen decor? (I am thinking 1940's) . Thanks
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posted on November 7, 2008 10:29:28 AM new
My vote is 50's. I just found the following which is an excerpt from history of Formica
"In 1951, Formica Corporation responded to a surging market by opening a 1,000,000 square foot plant in Evendale, Ohio, devoted entirely to the production of decorative sheet material. That same year, sales reached $24.5 million, nearly double the wartime peak. In 1956, the Company was purchased by American Cyanamid and became Formica Corporation, a subsidiary of American Cyanamid.
The Company’s focus on decorative laminates inspired a myriad of new designs. In 1949, Formica Corporation introduced the Color Range, which included six patterns each in several colorways and ten solid colors all available in “both standard and cigarette-proof grades.” With the exception of Linen and Wood finish, the patterns were synthetic designs, often with a playful bent, reflecting America’s spirit of optimism following the end of the war.
Peace and prosperity ushered in an era of exuberant consumerism and explosive residential construction that transformed the American landscape. New suburbs seemed to appear overnight, neatly laid out with split-level ranch houses that boasted kitchens equipped with gleaming appliances and colorful laminate countertops and dinettes. By the early 1950’s, one-third of the new homes built in the U.S. used laminate – much of it Formica brand. "
Edited to add info!
[ edited by otteropp on Nov 7, 2008 10:35 AM ]
posted on November 7, 2008 02:00:20 PM new
If 50s, then not much later than 1952. The color of the red wallpaper shouts '40s to me. "Mid-century" may be a good way to put it.
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posted on November 7, 2008 02:44:02 PM new
This is fun!!
Here's a link to a card where the 'Beauty Bonded Formica' logo is the same and the Good Housekeeping seal is there and the card is dated 1957 which I would have thought a bit late...but..
posted on November 7, 2008 03:36:22 PM new
Formica Corp must have been behind the times, as pink & grey and turquoise & white were the in colors by 1955.
posted on November 7, 2008 05:08:49 PM new
I think my card is older than that the 1957 card. My card is linen and the rounded edges of the corners and display shelves make me think of at least earlier in the 1950s. The stove looks a lot older. My card was mailed but oddly, doesn't have a postmark.
BTW - I have red dish drainer if your mom wants a walk down memory lane.
posted on November 8, 2008 04:37:36 AM new
I think the postmark is those squiggly lines on the printing on the upper left. A shame it did not hit correctly as you would have had a date. Wow that kitchen takes me back, I would say 50's too or very late 40's. Great card. We got our 'new' formica countertops in 1957, still have them, a fairly bright yellow with flecks of silver embedded in it. Hey, it is a summer house now, no need to be stylish LOL.
posted on November 8, 2008 03:30:31 PM new
Looks like a 40's (Art Deco) kitchen that was remodeled in the 1950's.
I went to a private estate sale that reminds me of this kitchen. Their's was red and white with chrome back splash (if that's what you call it)- all original. I felt like I was at Krystal's in the 50's.
[ edited by ebabestreasures on Nov 8, 2008 03:31 PM ]
posted on November 10, 2008 07:16:17 PM new
Thanks for the link, Kiara! Somehow, I'm most nostalgic about the kitchens of my childhood and I loved it.
Starting in 1984, I lived in a duplex for 16 years, built in 1912, converted to duplex in 1916, kitchens last updated in 1950. When our downstairs tenant died (we bought the duplex from her) we expanded and lived in both units. The downstairs kitchen was so similar to those in the link - the color scheme was yellow + green. It needed repair and sprucing up. It was my priority to maintain the integrity of MY dream kitchen and chose linoleum, etc. with designs dating back to 1950. We kept the excellent 1950 stove and sink. Had to replace the refrigerator (which was tucked away).
I went on a spending spree on early eBay. I can feed a crowd of thirty on my Arrowhead Brookpark Melmac, have a mint Creation 1 deluxe stainless set with all the trimmings, aluminum glasses (which Neglus and I used to claim by licking the purple one), the lemonade set of striped glasses and pitcher my grandmother had, and more pyrex and Sunmaid mixers than you can shake a stick at.
My gosh, the laundry rooms with mangle irons brings back memories, So do the kitchens with buit in washers/dryers, Our neighbors, Timmy and Tommy had them in their pink kitchen.
I sold the duplex several years ago and realized near top dollar (even though I sold as is). I sold it to a buyer who I knew appreciated the integrity of the house. In this time of credit crunch, I hope he is doing well.
[ edited by pixiamom on Nov 10, 2008 07:39 PM ]
posted on November 11, 2008 01:58:11 PM new
Pixiamom, I also love the 50's kitchens and I still prefer white cabinetry with lots of red, green, yellow and blue accents because it makes the whole room cheery for cooking and eating. You mention a pink kitchen, I have a friend that wants a 50's one similar to this and she will most likely be able to talk her husband into letting her have it.
posted on November 11, 2008 05:26:00 PM new
One of the first houses I rented was built in the 1940's and had a pink tile counter top with grey accents. I loathed that kitchen. It was not easy finding curtains or hand towels to match in the early 80's. I did love the burgandy tiled bathroom though.
. Thanks