Retro Turquoise Housewares For Funky Fifties Style Kitchens

When I am out shopping for kitchen collectibles I am always excited to find something that we had in our own kitchen growing up. Even if you have not thought about the frying pan or toaster cover your mom and dad used back in the fabulous fifties, you get a rush of memories whenever you spot these relics at flea markets or antique shops.

As I have written about in my book "Hot Kitchen and Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and also in my second book "Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes", the colors pink and turquoise are very popular among retro and cottage collectors.

At the Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, Connecticut, owners Cindy and Doug have put in many hours showcasing retro collectibles in the in house "Crusin Cafe". Cindy has a great collection of turquoise cookware in excellent condition displayed as props in the cafe .
While Cindy's collection is not for sale, buyers will find lots of dealers in this huge and popular multi-dealer mall who carry plenty of retro and vintage kitchenwares. My booth called "Kitsch n Stuff" is loaded with kitchen collectibles in all colors.

When buying these items, be sure to check for chipping, stains, rust and missing parts. As I have stated in previous articles, it is perfectly fine to buy a covered pot that is stained or worn inside, if all you want to do is use your retro find as a shelf piece, but the price should reflect the condition. On the other hand if you find cookware in super condition inside and out...... expect the value to rise. Now a $4.00 dollar tag sale item, may just become a $40.00 "retro collectible".

Also prices vary greatly in different markets. Metro areas or regions near big cities fetch a lot more for "turquoise kitchen and housewares" than in other areas.

The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford
283 Main St. (Rte. 44)
New Hartford, CT 06057
(860) 379-2290
Open 7 Days, 10am - 5pm

http://www.collinsvilleantiques.com/

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com


Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

In The Pink at "The Nosey Goose" of Madison, Connecticut

On a recent visit to Madison, Connecticut I stopped into the "Nosey Goose", an eclectic Shabby Chic style boutique which carries new and old home accessories, gifts and garden items. On the front lawn is a 1950's bicycle painted hot pink which sets the stage for lots of other whimsical pink painted items you will find inside the shop.

The "Nosey Goose"is a renovated cottage style home now converted into a charming shop on a side street in the heart of Madison Center on the Connecticut Shore.

All I kept thinking about while visiting this charming shop was how much work went into setting up so many delightful displays both in and outside the store.

This boutique is one of those cottage style places that you wander though patiently exploring all the nooks and crannies and wishing you too could live in an enchanted cottage.

Pink, a favorite color for the owner seems to run throughout the cottage and is the preferred palette for the many custom items showcased such as furniture, textiles, collectibles and garden props.

While the shop concentrates more on vintage style rather than on collectibles, there still is plenty of terrific old stuff to be found.

I am always curious about what is now being made new to look old, so that when some of these "collectibles" (reproductions) show up for sale elsewhere I can sniff out the "fakes"quicker.

But I have to tell you, even after handling lots of textiles and kitchen-wares. sometimes it is really hard to tell the new stuff from the originals.

As I have discussed in my book, Hot Kitchen and home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s, you really need to look things over and evaluate what you have in hand to figure out if you have a tryly old item or a reproduction. Does the item show wear? Is there signs of aging? Are there any tags on the item which might suggest age? For textiles, how does the item feel? You will also find lots more information about purchasing vintage, retro and cottage collectibles in my second book, "Hot cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes".

Today many shop owners are carrying more manufactured vintage style home accessories and kitchen-wares than originals because it is so hard to keep your inventory fresh. While I find it fun to see both items mixed together in clever displays, it does make hunting for the real stuff much harder. But like many collector, I am always up for the challenge.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com


Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.