Colorful Vintage Kitchen Towels (Schiffer Book for Collectors) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm in awe of this terrific book! Not only did I learn mountains of information from it, the pictures are GORGEOUS. I was thrilled to have found yet-unpublished information about some of the top textile designers of the mid-20th century, as well as new information about the manufacturers. If you love vintage textiles, this is a must-have for your library!

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We hate to name drop, but this beautiful book features the top manufacturers and designers of kitchen towels from the 1930s to the 1960s! From the delightful fruit and floral patterns of Wilendur, Startex, and Martex, to the wonderful whimsical designs of Broderie, Bucilla, and JS&S, a visual feast of color and design is presented here. Vintage towels are small art canvases -- easily afforded, easily cleaned, and easily displayed. Hundreds of different designs can be collected in a small space and at minimal cost. It is no wonder, then, that their popularity has risen in recent years to make them one of the hottest textile collectibles! Called by various names -- tea towels, dish towels, kitchen towels, utility towels, work towels and hand towels -- these irresistible charmers are showcased here in over 490 color photos. Previously unpublished information about some of the era's top-name textile artists is featured in a special designer section and a must-read cleaning and storage chapter provides tips that will add decades to the lives of vintage textiles. Measurements, current values, a helpful glossary, and manufacturers list are all included.

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Atomic Dinettes: Mid-Century Kitchen Elegance (Schiffer Book for Collectors and Designers) Review

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(More customer reviews)My daughter loved it. Then I borrowed it. I loved it, too. The photos are amazing and lots of fun if you like retro furniture.

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Colorful, cheerful -- and in some cases downright funky -- vintage dinette sets from the 1950s to the 1970s will bring a nostalgic smile to your face. Presented through over 200 archival catalog images from the Lloyd Manufacturing Company (a subsidiary of Heywood-Wakefield), these sets feature casual seating in a myriad of wonderful styles. Here are "trimline" sets from the 1950s, pedestal base sets from the 1960s, Mediterranean style sets from the 1970s, and much more. Original catalog descriptions, model numbers, measurements, current price guide, and an index are all included. Pull up a chair and relax with this unique reference for vintage furniture collectors, designers, and all who love the retro look of the mid-century years!

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The Kitchen Linens Book: Using, Sharing, and Cherishing the Fabrics of Our Daily Lives Review

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(More customer reviews)The Kitchen Linens Book is a tribute to the past - to the women who made, used and loved their linens. EllynAnne encourages her readers to embrace the memories these linens hold, appreciate their handiwork, and "go green by going vintage." This is a beautiful book, worthy of sitting on anyone's coffee table. Don't, however, gloss over the stories in light of the stunning photography - they are a must read.
Being from the South myself, I have to tip my bonnet to EllynAnn. I felt like I was sitting in her kitchen and listening to her tell stories of her family (and others). The writing is so warm and friendly, you almost forget you are reading a book and not in her company. Additionally, I love the stories written by other women that she has woven throughout the pages. There are also tips, tricks, recipes and craft suggestion. But the heart and soul of this book, in my opinion, are the testimonies she gives about her tablecloths, napkins, dishtowels, aprons and more. Every word she writes drips with her love and admiration of the times in which the linens were made, the hard work that went into making them, and the lives their previous owners led.
To be fair, there was a disappointment. There were suggestions and ideas that she mention (like layering her linens) that sound amazing, but I could not picture how to do it (and I desperately want to know so I can recreate it) but there were no images of how this was done. It seems, considering how many lovely pictures this book contains, that there would be more pictures of the ideas she discusses.
Nevertheless, I adore this book. I am encouraged to pick up a little embroidery of my own. Maybe, a few generations from now, some woman will use my tea towel and honor my life the way EllynAnne has done for generations past.
This book is delightful and a must-have for your book collection.

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Gather 'round! The endearing follow-up to The Apron Book is now served. EllynAnne Geisel graces us with her new treasure, The Kitchen Linens Book. It's a lovely treat.Family kitchens are where our days begin and end. And one constant is threaded among the people, the stories, and the moments: America's kitchen linens. If only these prized pieces could talk.The Kitchen Linens Book invites women of all ages to visit with the past. In this book, Geisel gives us an up-close look at tablecloths, dishtowels, and napkins with details and histories as fine as the stories themselves. Embroidered or hemstitched, linens or oilcloths--these are the fabrics and the memories of our mothers and grandmothers. And each one has an endearing story and a vivid history.*The book features over 20 projects and 8 recipes.* The book includes a classic Butterick transfer pattern for a vintage kitchen towel motif, circa 1945.* Rich photography highlighting every detail accompanies stories passed from generation to generation.* EllynAnne's passion for finding and saving linens from flea markets, estate sales, and antique stores will inspire you to dig through your own closets and cupboards.

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