Kitchen Coolness
I am a food blogger by night, and an antiques dealer/appraiser by day.
Not only do I sell antiques, but I appraise estates for insurance companies and attorneys. It is an interesting vocation, to say the least.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of walking into a quirky 1950's ranch, sort of ugly, in a cool way, to do an appraisal of a deceased aunt's "valuables" (nothing was very valuable).
My pleasure was seeing this untouched, perfect, mid century modern kitchen.
The unique feature was that all of the appliances were BUBBLEGUM PINK!
I expected to see Donna Reed appear in her frilly apron.
I doubt anyone cooked in here. The appliances were all original and mint c. 1954.
A bright pink wall oven made by General Electric. This was a first for me, and I've been doing this almost 20 years.
There was an original pink KitchenAid dishwasher, a pink enamel range, and the piece de la resistance, a pink cabinet refrigerator/freezer. I have never seen this before.
Yes, folks, those pink looking kitchen cabinets are really a cabinet style electric fridge and freezer. All made by GE, back when GE used to make things to last. Now you are lucky if you get 3 years on your appliances without the motor dying.
All the original formica counter tops were still in tact, as well as the little pink top kitchenette set! Not something I would choose for myself, but I certainly can appreciate the aesthetics of the period.
I hope whoever buys this 1950's mid century modern ranch leaves the original kitchen in tact, though, it is highly doubtful.
Cream cheese and olives anyone?
Comments
I grew up the Donna Reed fifties with Leave it to Beaver and Ricky Nelson. My favorite color was pink so I would have thought this was cool. The refrigerator and freezer surprised me. I've never seen one like that.
My mother had a double oven Chambers range. Now they are being restored and are very vintage looks like Rachael Ray's kitchen. I'm sure after we sold her house the new owners took that stove to the dump, even though it was in perfect condition since my mother bought it in 1948. I bet they're sorry now when they see them going for big prices.
Very enjoyable and thanks for sharing. I've got my fingers crossed these pink babies go to a good and loving home.
Sam
But in todays world, it would be hard to cook in. Love the table and chairs!. I live in a 50's ranch. When we remodeled the kitchen and baths I saved and used some of the o so fine 50's stuff. And there is someone out there who will pay big bucks for the oven and the fridge-cabinets!!
I would love to have you job!!
You are right about new appliances. My last house I had all new Maytag. I had to replace the motor once on the fridge and twice on the dishwasher.
Here in my new house, I have all new LG appliances, and have had to replace the sump 3x on the dishwasher, and now the fridge is humming bad. All less than 10 months old!
I must be the black widow of appliances...
I wish I could get in there with my 8x10" camera!
I'd like the pink a lot better than the harvest gold or avocado that I remember was once the rage! Yikes!
I recently remodeled a sorority kitchen in all pink accessories and small appliances, no big pink appliances though...
Great post Stace!