What's Hot and What's Not in Kitchen Collectibles

Kitschy kitchens decorated with vintage kitchen-wares and furnishing from the colorful eras of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s and beyond are captivating not only baby boomers who remember many of these items sitting in grandma's kitchen but younger collectors as well. Whether you prefer the bold primary colors of the post war years, the softer cottage palettes of the mid to late fifties, or the earth tones of the seventies , there are plenty of affordable kitchen collectibles and textiles to choose.

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.

If you would like to contact Dianne, email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit her website at http://www.cdiannezweig.com/

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

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Written by C. Dianne Zweig
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Kitschy kitchens decorated with vintage kitchen-wares and furnishing from the colorful eras of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s and beyond are captivating not only baby boomers who remember many of these items sitting in grandma's kitchen but younger collectors as well. Whether you prefer the bold primary colors of the post war years, the softer cottage palettes of the mid to late fifties, or the earth tones of the seventies , there are plenty of affordable kitchen collectibles and textiles to choose. Among bona fide kitchen and home décor enthusiasts, there are definite differences in their collecting styles. A buyer may not only be drawn to shapes, color, or patterns of a certain time period, but also may favor kitchen-wares, figurines, planters textiles, advertising, etc. associated with a loved one or cherished time in his or her life. For example, one collector began accumulating kitchen items after her grandma died. She collected kitchen-wares which reminded her of her grandmother's r red and yellow kitchen in Brooklyn, New York in the late 1940s and early 1950s Kitchen gadgets, appliances, ceramics, bowls, tins, canisters, textiles in colors of red, yellow, green or blue are by far the most popular colors sought after by collectors. Next you will find a smaller group of buyers, predominately found in areas closer to large metropolitan centers, seeking items in the mid-century colors of pink and turquoise. While the funkier colors of the atomic age just mentioned, attract a small but loyal group, this time period was also known for home accessories produced in softer pastel colors, a palette very popular today among cottage style collectors. Last are the younger collectors who become as sentimental over greens, rusts and browns of the seventies as I do over the reds and yellows of the forties and fifties. If you are a collectibles dealer, Keep this in mind the next time you pass up a drab green bowl at a flea market... the population that will adore that "muddy green bowl" are quickly becoming today's collectors. While the colorful eras attract attention, there don't seem to nearly as many people jumping on the band wagon to buy orange and pink flowered kitchen canisters and other kitchen relics from the Hippie generation. Yes you will see these kitchen items on eBay and other on-line auctions, but they are not really popular in most shops and antique malls. If you are really into the "Shaggy Sixties" take a visit to thrift shops such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries, where you may have some luck bumping into a few of these "flower power" leftovers. As you can imagine, color is a big factor for kitchen collectors, but so is unusual style. Today there is a renewed interest in collectibles of the Art Deco period so keep your eyes open for appliances, accessories and furnishings that have characteristic deco design . Even paper collectibles such as recipe booklets with deco motif are of interest to collectors. While the pricier pottery associated with the Arts & Crafts movement isn't generally thought of as a "kitchen collectible", styles from this time period are making their way into today's kitchen . There is indeed a new generation of " art inspired kitchen collectibles" for the collector with a big budget. But what about everyday kitchen collectibles, what is hot and what is not among the average collector? What I find most amazing in answering this question is how differently the answer is depending on who you ask. If you do an on-line search about this topic you will find "popularity" defined by how often a particular collectible is either searched on the internet or sold on a specific auction site . Cookie jars are one of those collectibles which is consistently listed as a top ten kitchen collectible. Yet I have found that what is stated as "hot" on-line is not necessarily what is selling in brick and mortar shops. Besides unique items, I also find that people like collectibles that they can use , which is why Pyrex sells so well. Pam Kaplan who owns Preservecottage.com said the pink "Gooseberry" pattern has been her best seller. I find that Pyrex in all colors does well. Vintage egg beaters and rolling pins are also popular housewares because these older models work better than the newer products. Tin canister sets and bread boxes that are colorful. in excellent condition and priced reasonably are always appreciated by kitchen collectors. On the other hand, if an object can't go into the dishwasher or microwave or is to hard to care for it is going to be a slower mover. This is why sets of older dishes sit so long on the shelves of many shops. Renovation and salvage items (antique stoves, door knobs, architectural trim, windows) are very "in" right now as collectors and homeowners are mixing older looks with newer kitchens or creating new twists on old themes such as "Cottage Style" or "Country Victorian". "Country Victorian" also referred to as "Romantic Country" emphasizes the softer more feminine elements of the Victorian era and eliminates the heavy, darker components. I have seen customers asking for Victorian wash bowl sets not for their vanity areas to sit on a wash stand but for their kitchens tables or counters to create romantic accents. The pitcher alone or sitting in the wash basin is often used for a fresh or dried floral arrangement. There has definitely been a trend to "re-purpose" collectibles and furnishings and to incorporate vintage style into contemporary homes. For example, a stylish painted Hoosier cabinet can add charm to a kitchen with the addition of a computer monitor sitting on the pull out baking surface, not batter bowls. A collection of white ironstone pitchers artfully arranged can add just the right touch to an urban chic kitchen condo. A 1940s bookcase painted white can be hung on the kitchen wall to hold your favorite collection. Are you catching on? So if I have to try to answer the question what are people buying, I would say they are investing in items that are functional and decorative. Although it wasn't easy, I divided my list of what's hot and what not into three categories, (1 ) Hot Kitchen Collectibles To Keep an Eye On (2) Classic Favorites (3) What's Not Hot in Kitchen Collectibles (anymore). Hot Kitchen Collectibles to Keep an Eye On Chippy painted kitchen cottage tables, chairs and cupboards, open wall shelves Art Deco "everything" Advertising tins (coffee, tea, spices). French and European enamelware, American enamelware with decorative flair Vintage stoves and appliances Very fine country items including Farm tables, crocks. Pastel pottery vases, ironstone, art pottery. China items including decorative plates Funky items i.e. Bowls with Polka Dots Classic Favorites Cookie Jars. Pyrex Fire King Bakelite Fiestaware, Py, Holt Howard Tea pots, bowls, spice jars, range sets, salt & pepper shakers. Colorful linens i.e. tablecloths, dish towels, aprons. whimsical pot holders Bread boxes, canister sets, recipe boxes, match holders, Tools with red or green handles, rolling pins. What's Not Hot in Kitchen Collectibles (Anymore) Picnic accessories Thermal plastic beverage and ice cream cups Hammered aluminum Primitives Grey enamelware Colonial style housewares 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. If you would like to contact Dianne, email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit her website at http://www.cdiannezweig.com/ Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Authors Guild, Inc. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C._Dianne_Zweig http://EzineArticles.com/?Whats-Hot-and-Whats-Not-in-Kitchen-Collectibles&id=1092867 From the Webmaster: "Having the opportunity to share my hobbies and interests with so many people around the world gives me great satisfaction. As a bonus, I blog and produce websites about topics that interest me and receive ad revenue from the websites and Blogs." You can live like this too. Get your domain name and set up a blog on your favorite place or topic. No come-ons. No "Get-Rich-Quick" promises. The results are worth the time and effort needed to build a REAL business.You can start your first or your fiftieth Blog or website to build long- term, ever-growing profits that can take you where you want to go. For less than $10 dollars a year for a domain name and $3.95 a month for basic blog hosting you can start to earn from your hobby or interest. To begin, Click here to sign up for a domain name and Blog hosting . Or, Click here to learn more about starting a blog or website for profit.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 January 2009 )