Design Objectory

"Here's delight" Blabon's linoleum ad in Good Housekeeping, April 1926

Fostoria glassware advertised in Good Housekeeping, June 1926

"Why not a charming kitchen?" Nairn linoleum ad in Good Housekeeping, April 1926

"The way to his heart" Servel refrigerator ad in Feb 1926 Good Housekeeping

Electric refrigeration was gaining in popularity and spreading rapidly throughout the country at this period, but it had by no means won the market - the women's magazines of the time still carry advertisements for iceboxes which relied on ice instead! But even for an electric refrigerator, this is an extraordinarily fancy model.

"What do the chauffeurs hear?" ad for Berkey & Gay furniture, Good Housekeeping, April 1927

This interior is so all-in on period recreation that it looks like a movie set for a baroque setting. Going by other adverisements and articles, that was still quite unusual for the time, even though it was thought desirable for all one's furniture to be in a faux-antique style, preferably the same as one's house.

Nov 1925 Good Housekeeping

Built-in china cabinets like these flanking a sink, in addition to the freestanding Hoosier cabinet for food preparation, were relatively common in newer middle-class kitchens in mid-1920s America.

Feb 1926 Good Housekeeping

Secretary desk, vernacular style, 18th century

Vase, 1890

Jenny Meyer for Den Kungliga Porcelainsfabrik (KPM)

Vase, 1897

Ceiling lamp, 1940s, Norway

Six chairs, 19th century

Tea strainer, 1901

Mössbord (lift-top side table), first half 1800s

"Louise" pitcher, designed 1899, in production 1899-1940 and 1953-79