Mid Century Modern Decorating and Kitchen Ideas from May 1961

 "Good News in home furnishings"... in the Family Circle magazine of  May 1961 looked like this:

 Left: "Designer Allan Gould's space-problem solution--a storage system with supporting poles (some wired for lighting fixtures), shelves, cabinets, hi-fi and-turntable unit, stereo speakers, record rack, magazine rack, and dining table.'

Top Right:" Lawrence Peabody designs a modern bedroom that's easy to live in. It features a tilt-for-reading headboard, a night table (with a plastic-surface drop-down door that's big enough for a breakfast tray), a plastic-upholstered bench, a wicker chair with zip-off cushion covers."

Lower Right: "Industrial designer Walter P. Baermann's revolutionary concept for the production of living-room furniture uses one-piece molded seating frames with polyurethane cushioning. This brings you sofas for under $200 and chairs for under $100, with zip-off upholstery for redecoration, for replacement, of for seasonal changes."

An easy 'queen bed' was to have one headboard with twin beds.

 Kitchen Ideas To Adopt or Adapt

"A cutting board bolted to a shallow cabinet built next to a range extends the cook's work surface a much-needed two feet. Closet holds supplies for which there was no wall-cabinet space, since windows line wall opposite the range in this tiny L-shaped kitchen."

I note the copper pan, turquoise coffee pot and salad bowls, and the pink stove top.(In 1978 our parsonage had a pink refrigerator that was replaced after it broke down twice!)

"Colors in this kitchen--white, pink, orange, and brick red--blend with those in family room beyond. White of cabinets reappears in floor of family room; orange walls are picked up in counters; appliances' pink is repeated in family room curtains."

The corner sink gives me shudders, since we lived with one! It was quite small and next to the dish washer and stove. It was a one-cook kitchen.

Lower Left: "This well-equipped kitchen mixing center serves also as a planning desk, a snack bar, and a place to display decorative and useful antique containers and jars. Metal inserts in drawer next to mixer hold flour and sugar. Mixer swings into cabinet when not in use."

Upper Right kitchen is in seven colors and has mahogany cabinets!

I had no idea that kitchen had drawers for dishes back in then.

+++++

Vintage Transfer Patterns

The Thursday Crafters group I have been attending work on quilts, embroidery, knitting, crazy quilting. Today Bev came in and shared her vintage embroidery transfer patterns. I took photos with my new smart phone, emailed them to myself, and fiddled with the images on Photoshop Here are the results:

May 1961 Fashions

The Everywoman's Family Circle issue of May 1961 focused on new summer fashions.

"An all-purpose dress of this type, simply stated, is perfect for summer long wear. The motif: A refreshing fern print in shades of green on white. Solid green piping outlines the back-plunged neckline and armhole. A corded belt of matching green ties in front. Available only in the coloring pictured. Sizes are 8-16. About $35. Designed by Eddy George for Casual Time. Bracelet is by Monet."

 "On a summer evening you'll be enchanting in a dress such as this. Its soft textured silk top has small windowpanes cutouts and bows at the back, short sash ends in front. The bouffant skirt of embroidered silk organza has an airy quality perfect for dancing. Color combination is blue and white or orange and white. Sizes 8-16. About $55. Made by De Michel Originals. Necklace and earrings by Laquna."

 "This delectable dress, sheer and cool, is made in a new Celanese fortel-and-cotton fabric. Smocking trims the bodice and cap sleeves. The dress comes fully lined in its own color. You have a choice of coral, yellow, green, natural, or black. Sizes 8-18. Prices at about $45. Made by Sportations. The necklace and earrings are designed by Sandor Goldberger."

 "This combination play-swim outfit will have appeal for the youthful vacationer. All three parts--bra, closed cropped pull-over, and shorts--are in printed arnel sharkskin. The color combination is keyed to brown or black. Sizes 32-38. The complete outfit is priced under $12. It's a Lee Beachwear design."

"Whether you're at the beach, out for a sail, or in the country, these co-ordinates will serve as a complete playtime wardrobe. All are made in sturdy cotton duck. The sailing jacket with cowl collar, the knee pants, and the sleeveless top come in white only, banded in the coral-and-violet or tan-and-turquoise colors of the printed skirt. All are in sizes 8-16. The jakcet is prices under $12,. The pants are available for under $8. he sleeveless top is under $7. The full pleated shirt, under $13. Styled by Lyle Griswold for M. R. Fleischam."

"Gaily stripped sailcloth trimmed with daisy rickrack makes this swimsuit and matching jacket by Maurice Handlier. The strip color is yellow, helio, or black, combined with white. The suit in sizes 5-15 is prices under $24; the jacket in size S. M. or L, under $11. Sandals by Capezio."

 "One of the best-liked of current fashions is the two-piece middy dress. The attractive version pictured here is in spun rayon. A notched hem and simulated pockets add interest to the top. Color is yellow, mint, turquoise, or melon, with white piping, In sizes 8-20. Under $15. A Miss Brett design. Jewelry is by Marvella."

 "What could be ore appropriate to wear in your leisure hours than this two-piece of Celanese tricot? The brief-sleeve top has a banded boat-shape neckline and a pleated back panel. Knife pleating gives fullness to the bias-cut skirt. Color is white, turquoise, pink, lemon, lilac, or navy. In sizes 8-18. The top is under $9; the skirt, under $13. Designed by Koret."

"Separates like these, made for action and pretty to look at as well, will add much to your fun life. They're perfect for bowling or any activity where ease of movement is essential. The fabric here is arnel sharkskin. The colors are only as shown--pristine white, with skirt godets and sleeves of blue and yellow. Sizes 8-16. The top is prices under $10. The skirt under $15. Casino Classics makes them."

The Red Ball Summerettes shoes by Bali-Band ad shows a White Stag outfit.

A Simplicity patterns ad featured great separates.

This model's hair reminded me of Laura Petrie's hairstyle in the Dick Van Dyke Show.

The Dick Van Dyke Show did not air until October, 1961. It was my favorite show as a girl. I wanted to be Laurie.

Sigh.

Anybody else wish we had clothes like those today? According to the U. S. Inflation Cost Calculator, in today's prices that first dress would today cost $274.76! The bowling or sport separates, instead of $15, today would set us back $117.75.

Yikes.

More Finds

The Tuesday Quilters are a generous group, making items for charity and sharing goodies. The gals bring in fabric, yarn, patterns, or magazines to give away almost weekly. Today we had linens and fabric. I brought home some great stuff!

I loved this embroidered 1930s lady on a heart shaped doily embellished with lace. I can see her on one of my wall hangings.

These pansies were embroidered on the four corners of a table cloth. There is staining on the cloth, but I can see several ways to use it.

This Redwork is so cute! 

"What does the birdie say/In its nest at peep of day"

These preprinted cheater cloth panels marked "Charlotte" by Denise Beavers of The Violet Patch would look amazing hand quilted for a charity quilt!

This silk 1939 new York World's Fair handkerchief is in mint condition!

I love the different national costumes so colorfully illustrated

I also brought home a piece of ribbon and this piece of pretty fabric.

I had better clear out my stash and share with the gals!

My Weekend Haul: Hankies and Quilt Tops and Embroidery and 1927 Stamped Linens

The weather is finally beautiful in Michigan and I had a hankering to explore. On Saturday we went to Berkley and the Odd Fellow's Antique Mall, the Council Resale across the street, and The Rust Belt Market in Ferndale and Vintage Vogue in Pleasant Ridge.

On Sunday (after church and lunch with family) I ran down to the Royal Oak Flea Market. Something was calling my name.

It turned out the siren was a Depression era Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt top for $20.00! The lady, who was from Port Huron, also had some linens stamped for embroidery.

First up are two handkerchiefs I bought at the antique mall. They had loads of handkerchiefs, but so do I so I am particular

Next up are embroidered pieces I found at the thrift shop for $1 each.

 Above is the detail of a pair of matching dresser scarfs, nicely finished.

Above is a pillow cover with embroidery on linen. It was never used.

The flea market top is below. The setting is pale pink and Nile Green.

 As you can see, the top does not lay flat. I have preordered the Recycled Hexie Quilts book by Mary Kerr and hope I can use it in the way she shows in the book.

There are some interesting fabrics.

The stamped linen pieces are on a coarse, heavy weave ecru linen. The stamping is light blue. Two came with papers showing color placement and a color chart from Nun's Boil Fast Threads, and there were cut out samples of other items they offered. The patterns were dated 1927!

I can't find anything online about Nun's, except for a post at what-i-found blog: http://what-i-found.blogspot.com/2009/01/nuns-boilproof-thread-catalog-1923.html

UPDATE: I have found a wonderful history on the company written by Susan Wildemuth at
http://www.illinoisquilthistory.com/Buettner.html

 This is black and white image of the linen showing an Indian at his tepee; the chart is below.

The sample that was attached to the Indian pattern.

Another pattern was of sail boats.There were five samples attached.

 The color chart showing the threads.

 The little Dutch girl had no papers or charts.

I spent $29 on all of the above. And $14 for some tea blends at The Rust Belt Market. Lunch at Alex's of Berkley was a whooping $20.00: hubby had lasagna, soup, and desert and I had Greek salad and a gyro. It was a cheap mini-vacation in our own home town! Across the street from the restaurant is Guildcrafters Quilt Shop with great modern fabrics. 

I don't think I shared this eBay hanky find from a while back. There is a hole in the top center but if I use it in a hanging it can be dealt with.

We were trying out the lighting in the house for photographs. Not a great local, but it is the first "hanging" photo I have of my Prince's Feather! I will be showing it in the CAMEO Quilt Guilt show in June. We need to provide photos with the entry form.

The Children's Crusade by Anne Packer

Ann Packer's new novel The Children's Crusade will not disappoint fans of her previous novel The Dive From Clausen's Pier .

The Children's Crusade explores the private and corporate failures of the Blair family. Physician Bill returns from the Korean War tired of death; he decides to specialize as a pediatrician. Surrounded by children perhaps he could regain his optimism. First he buys a plot of California land surrounding a California Live Oak tree; he plans to build a home there some day.

He meets Penney, a woman who has never found herself. They fall in love. Penney dreams of having three children. They marry and seem destined for fulfillment and happiness.

The novel fast forwards. There are now four Blair children: Rebecca the analytic psychologist; Robert the dependable doctor; the romantic Ryan who teaches at his childhood school; and James, the 'problem' child, impetuous and emotional. Penney has discovered a career in art. Bill has died. Their childhood home is now in the 'Silicon Valley', rented out until Penney and one child decide to sell.

Packer allows us to discover each character in the first person, learning about their childhood memories and adult life. The characters are vivid and alive, complicated and flawed, sympathetic and likable.

Penny became overwhelmed by family needs, her self-expectations to be the perfect housewife, and especially by her youngest child James. He was the kid who soiled his pants and sat in a patch of poison oak while removing them; whose emotional outbursts could only be tamed by his father's calm presence. Penney turned a shed into a separate world where she immersed herself in art made of found objects. 'Prefect' Bill kept the family together in spite of his long hours as a pediatrician. With an absentee mother, the older children had to care for James. They are overwhelmed and fail. When their mother started to drift away Rebecca had come up with the idea of a 'crusade,' finding ways to involve their mother back in their lives.

Adult James returns to his family to take stock of his choices. After years of restlessness, he settles in Eugene, OR where he has become part of a community that accepts him and affirms his strengths. James now has to make a hard decision. He is in a relationship that threatens to destroy the community that has given him family. Instead of support he finds himself trapped in the 'loser' role of his childhood, his siblings still in the roles of caretakers, not friends. It has been years since he has spoken to the mother who emotionally abandoned him. It is time they met again.

These characters have stayed in my mind over a  week as I worked on my review. So many books fade away quickly. This family has become part of my own world, as if I knew them somewhere along the way. And that is about the best thing anyone can say about a book.

I received a free e-book from the publisher through NetGalley for a fair and unbiased review..

The Children's Crusade
Ann Packer
Scribner
Publication Date: April 7, 2015
ISBN: 9781476710457
$26.99 hard cover

•