As you know I love my vintage, well retro really, kitchen. It’s a mix of new and old; the units and oak worktop are new as are the gadgets such as the green Morphy Richards toaster and my juicer, but the rest is circa 1965. Here are my top 10 items that I couldn’t live without!
10.Tala measuring cone.
Tala have been designing kitchenware since 1899 and have recently relaunched with vintage inspired kitchenalia. Their measuring cone is their most iconic design, created so you can measure all dry goods without having to use scales. I use this when baking especially when using American old recipes which use the measurement of cups.
9. Burp seal orange Tupperware
This revolutionary food storage changed the way we store food as well as providing women with party planning jobs back in the 1950s. We have a whole cupboard full of it and use it all the time. Well it is bright orange after all!
8. Orange hot plates
These 1970s hot plates are regularly used in our kitchen for keeping our take away curry warm! Adam used it on the table when he cooked for me on an early date; hey who doesn’t love a man with an orange hot plate. In fact we have 2!
7. My parents tins
My mum and dad designed tinware throughout the 1970s-90s with iconic designs that I’m sure many of you know. Their bright orange Jacobs cracker tin is useful and looks fab….it literally sold in its millions back in the day. I also love their other packaging tins such as the PG Tips and Digestive biscuits.
6. Kilner jars
Surely all vintage kitchens have dried goods stored in Kilner or La Parfait jars. We have loads, some older than others. I really like the orange screw tops also. Our cupboards are full of them! In fact I cannot walk past one in a car boot sale without buying it.
5. Melaware melamine plates
Yes, yes we love orange in our home but we also love camping so have a lot of Melaware plates and bowls. Melamine Formaldehyde was first designed before World War 2 in America and Germany. Respected for its durability, it could be moulded into any shape and manufactured in bright colours. In our home the kids eat from them!
4. Le Creuset pans
Le Cresuet have been designing cookware since the 1920s but it took until the 1970s for them to become objects you would want on your table. With new designs in orange and blue, they were the must have items for your wedding list. We have many pans with wooden handles but boy they are so heavy!
3. Vintage tea towels
Yes this is a bit random but it is really hard to find tea towels that go in a vintage kitchen. And it is even harder to find orange ones and believe me I’ve looked. When clearing out my Great Aunt’s home we found her pristine collection of tea towels which alas aren’t as pristine since they have been used in our house. But I love them all the same!
2. 1930s kitchenette
We use this as our bake station with everything baking related stored there. Found on a house clearance, I love the curved edges and the design on the glass. It needs a spruce up but to be honest, I’m happy to leave it as it is.
And at number 1….. well this is easy! My CathrineHolm pans of course! Any one that follows my Facebook page or reads this blog knows how much I LOVE them. Now I just need Adam to stop burning them!
“Scandinavian mid century design influenced many areas of our home and is loved for its sleek lines and style. After the war Norway needed to boost its production and economy after years of German occupation, so looked to their own interior and product designers to pave the way. This included new modern cook and tableware. What made them stand out from their neighbours was how they managed to design with both their culture and environment in mind. The end results were stylish pieces in fresh vibrant colours influenced by the fjords yet still with a folksy feel.
Cathrineholm enamel pots and kettles are no exception and are a must have item in your 1960s kitchen. The company produced stoves from the early 1900s but it wasn’t until they produced the Lotus designs by Grete Prytz Kittelson that sales really took off. Influenced by American designers in the late 1940s, her vision was a contempary shape using stainless steel and coloured enamel. The leaf design by Arne Ingemann Clausen was added and the iconic saucepan was born. This included kettles, bowls, even fondue sets in greens, oranges, yellow and blues.” Style Your Modern Vintage Home
What is a must have in your vintage kitchen? I would love to see photos!
