Saturday, November 21, 2015

Lucite grapes and lavabos

A couple of decorator items were de rigueur in middle class mid-century homes, at least all the ones I remember. One was a cluster of Lucite grapes on a driftwood stem. The other was an inexplicable nod to more traditional styling: the lavabo, consisting of a wall-mounted water tank with spigot and bowl, usually non-working and used as a wall pocket for artificial flowers or fruit.

While the Lucite grapes were rather modern in appearance, with their exaggerated size and leafless stems, the lavabos definitely were not. No matter how sleek and low-slung a home's sofa, chairs and coffee table, the curlicued planter, reminiscent of ornate French or Italian design, somehow crept into the entryway.

Today we'd call it eclectic. Back then, it was merely incongruous.


etsy.com - KaeidoscopeModern

etsy.com - EuroFair


If I were ever tempted to revisit the lavabo, I might consider one like this atypical Italian ceramic set, with its stylized leaves and fruit. I would fill it with herbs and hang it on an exterior wall or fence.



etsy.com - lookonmytreasures
at

15 comments:

  1. Bill MNovember 21, 2015 at 5:08 AM

    I remember those grapes. My sister and I were always in trouble for playing with them. To a child they were not a table decoration, but a neat toy left there by grownups so we had a handy toy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dana@Mid2ModNovember 23, 2015 at 5:58 PM

      My brother and I played with them too. They were way to tempting to leave alone!

      Delete
  2. Lee Ann Howlett - Audiobook NarratorNovember 21, 2015 at 11:52 AM

    We didn't have a lavabo but my mom STILL has her Lucite grapes! Hers are in shades or orange. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dana@Mid2ModNovember 23, 2015 at 6:00 PM

      My mom's were green, and my dad's mom had orange ones. My mom's mother was all blue, all the time! :)

      Delete
  3. Pam~ Virginia RetroNovember 21, 2015 at 3:45 PM

    Dana, I have to stop myself from bringing those Lucite grapes home when I find them. We are very eclectic at our house, or possibly incongruous, lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dana@Mid2ModNovember 23, 2015 at 6:02 PM

      haha I've had to pry them out of my own hand more than once. The ornate lavabos aren't that tempting, but the more I look at the second one I posted, the more I think I might like to have it. I have a streak of the eclectic/incongruous in me too. :)

      Delete
  4. John BachmanNovember 22, 2015 at 2:32 PM

    My parents had a lavabo by the front door with fake grapes in it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dana@Mid2ModNovember 23, 2015 at 6:03 PM

      Yes, entry hall for us too, with green rubber grapes. The lucite ones were in the living room.

      Delete
    2. John BachmanNovember 24, 2015 at 12:57 PM

      Actually my parents used rubber grapes too.

      Delete
  5. mind.itDecember 19, 2015 at 2:57 AM

    Cool stuff you must you keep overhaul every one of us. long hairstyles for women

    ReplyDelete
  6. 먹튀검증February 20, 2024 at 2:40 AM

    I think this is one of the most vital information for me.

    ReplyDelete
  7. 토토사이트February 20, 2024 at 2:40 AM

    And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things,

    ReplyDelete
  8. 카지노February 20, 2024 at 2:40 AM

    The web site style is perfect, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job.

    ReplyDelete
  9. 토토February 20, 2024 at 2:41 AM

    As I website possessor I believe the subject material here is rattling great,

    ReplyDelete
  10. 토토사이트February 20, 2024 at 2:41 AM

    thanks for your efforts.

    ReplyDelete