Tag Archives: kitchen

Dorothy Thorpe Atomic Star Glasses

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Here’s a set of glasses that is a little different. They have a similar look to the Queen’s Lusterware ones but actually fall under the Dorothy Thorpe category. Dorothy Thorpe glassware has a thicker silver band around the tops of the glasses with no ombre effect.

Dorothy Thorpe created glassware design for Marshall Fields and other stores from the 1930′s onward. She would do this by purchasing blank, clear glasses from manufacturers, then etching her own designs onto them through a sandblasting process. Many of her designs were floral and included eucalyptus, irises, roses, and narcissus flower designs. Despite this, she is most famous for her simple, classic design – glassware with thick silver and platinum bands around the rim.

These are probably not Dorothy Thorpe glasses because of the star design around the glass, but are probably inspired by her. These glasses have both a Hollywood Regency and a mid century modern feel to them, thanks to the silver rim (Hollywood Regency) and the atomic starbursts (mid century modern). They are tall and make excellent kitchen drinking glasses or a fancy set of tall bar glasses.

Hall Monterey Green Gold Label Casserole Dish

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Here’s a piece I found at an estate sale in an old mansion in a now semi-derelict area. I couldn’t pass on the classic look of gold on mint green that’s just as stylish today as it was when it was initially produced. A quick look on the bottom showed that it was produced by Hall China Company.

Hall (sometimes referred to as Hall’s) started in Ohio in the early 1900s. They started a process that emulated pottery made in China during the Ming Dynasty. This technique – a single fire process – created a durable, non-porous pottery that wouldn’t craze. Over the years, Hall produced a variety of kitchen and cookware.

This particular Hall piece is one of the more rare Hall China pieces and likely produced in the 1930s. This piece is referred to as the Monterey Green Gold Label Casserole Dish. It is mint green with gold embellishments. Floral squares circle the dish in a checkered pattern. The lid has a leafy pattern that circles it. It also has a gold trim that circles it, along with a gold knob. There is a mark on the underside to authenticate this dish. It reads “Hall’s Superior Quality Kitchenware” in a gold box. Over the box it reads “76″ and underneath “Made in USA 09.1 GL.”

Marcrest Nordic Mint Leaf Dinnerware Set

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This set of dishes is called Nordic Mint and was produced by Marcrest back in the 1950s or 1960s. Nordic mint leaves in aqua blue, red and black circle are hand-stamped underneath the glaze around the inside of the dishes, while an aqua blue trim circles the edges of the plates and bowls.

The underside reads “Hand Decorated, Made in America, Oven Proof, Detergent Proof, and Underglazed”. There are small hairline cracks on a couple of the dishes and chips on four of them (see last picture – you can PM more for more pictures). Overall, a great colorful mid century modern set to add to your home.

Animal Oven Mitts

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Crafts have become collectibles to some. Some hand crafts are worth well into the thousands, while others just add cuteness value to a household.

I was at an estate sale when I spotted this oven mitt. It isn’t worth more than a few dollars but it will make someone very happy in the kitchen. It’s a hodge podge quilt-style oven mitt with sewn-on ears and button eyes. Slip your hand inside and you’ve got a mitt puppet animal/monster. Now isn’t that cute?

Salt and Pepper

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A couple days ago I headed to yet another estate sale. I was a bit skeptical because I didn’t know what they had but it was in an area that has been good to me time and time again. This one was no exception. I walked out with a trunk full of items including a whole bunch of kitchen ware, in particular, several salt and pepper shakers.

The lady who owned this house loved her salt and pepper shakers. I got about half of what was left – ones that were my favorites. Most are pictured below. Many of her collection dates back to the 1950s era.

My two favorite sets are on the right. There’s the 1950s set of cats or cows (I’m not quite sure) with the words “I’m Salt” and “I’m Pepper” on their bellys. An adorable way to tell these two twins apart. The other one appears to be a 1950s set as well, even though mushrooms were really big in the 1970s. It’s a sleepy mushroom with the other mushroom eyeing him happily. Perhaps he wants to eat him. They do look kind of psychodelic, don’t they? They just scream kitchen fun.

Flour, Sugar and More

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I love kitchen accessories, especially the retro mid century modern pieces. They usually have a good amount of character and give a nice pop of color to any kitchen. Changing out your kitchen accessories is the easiest way to achieve this.

That’s why when I saw this set, I just couldn’t resist getting them. I picked up these wonderful nesting containers from Kromex at an estate sale just before winter. Included in the 4-piece canister set are a flour, sugar, coffee and tea jar. They are painted an olive green with a daisy flower design on the front. The lids are white with raised lettering.

You just don’t see anything like this in stores anymore. In fact, you won’t find Kromex in any retail store unless they’re selling vintage items. Kromex was a domestic line producing kitchenware and service ware from the mid-1950 to the mid-1960s. Products were sold in retail outlets like Sears and Montgomery Ward. Kromex was a division of Alcoa Aluminum Company, which phased out the line to focus on industrial production after being purchased by Reynolds Aluminum.

This particular set seems to be one of the more rare Kromex canister sets. If you love your retro and want that pop of green in your kitchen, these are the perfect set for you to pick up.