Category Archives: I love lucy

50s Retro, Canisters, I love lucy, Kitchen, Mid-century, Nesco, Restoration Project, Toleware

Restoration Project: Lucy Ricardo’s Breadbox

New update here: RESTORATION PROJECT: LUCY RICARDO’S BREADBOX Part 2

Before: Shabby Nesco Breadbox/Pie Safe
Before: Shabby Nesco Breadbox/Pie Safe

I found a vintage Nesco breadbox (above) in shabby rusty condition to restore. This one is the same type as you see in the Kitchen set of “I love Lucy”, except it was white and had a “garden girl” decal which is barely visible in its current condition. It will take a bit of work to restore it to anything close to original condition, and I have never done anything like this before so its a learning experience for me. Continue reading Restoration Project: Lucy Ricardo’s Breadbox →

50s Retro, California Pottery, I love lucy, I love Lucy Props, Mid-century

The Ricardo’s Sierra-Columbia Planter

lucyplanter The Ricardo’s set also had a Sierra-Columbia planter. The one indicated in the screen capture above from an “I Love Lucy” episode is a typical design from Sierra-Columbia of Pasadena California. The design seen above is a ceramic planter inside a brass effect metal holder. An interesting thing about the metal holder is that it  was recycled leftover metal from their scissors manufacturing. Continue reading The Ricardo’s Sierra-Columbia Planter →

50s Retro, California Pottery, I love lucy, I love Lucy Props, Kitchen, Mid-century

I love Lucy Ricardo’s Pottery Planters

Planter on I love lucy The Planter props seen on the set of “I love Lucy” on the mantelpiece and on the ledge of the hutch between the kitchen and living room are frequently seen in the background in dialog scenes.

The pieces I have identified were sourced locally from California Pottery makers. The Stewart B McCulloch plume design planter is one that often caught my eye, an example of which is pictured below in green. Continue reading I love Lucy Ricardo’s Pottery Planters →

50s Retro, Canisters, I love lucy, I love Lucy Props, Kitchen, Mid-century, Nesco, Toleware

I Love Lucy Ricardo’s Canister Set

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lucyscanistersetLucy Ricardo’s Canister Set in the “I Love Lucy”  was one of the latest on the market in 1951 when the series launched. Made by Nesco, you can see them in the kitchen scenes of the “I love Lucy” set of the apartment in 623 East 68th St. in New York City, for the entire series until the Ricardo’s moved to Connecticut. In the screencaps here you will notice the kitchen props included  four nesting canisters and a matching bread box  plus a pair of cylindrical salt and pepper shakers. Continue reading I Love Lucy Ricardo’s Canister Set →

California Pottery, Franciscan Ivy, Gladding McBean, I love lucy, I love Lucy Props, Kitchen

Lucy Ricardo’s Ivy Dishes

ivyOn The Sitcom Kitchen SetLucy Ricardo’s Ivy Dishes were from the Franciscan ” Ivy” range of dinner ware from  from California-based Gladding, McBean, & Co, The Franciscan dinnerware range came into production in 1948 so it was only a few years on the market when “I Love Lucy” series began with the first episode on June 15, 1951. Continue reading Lucy Ricardo’s Ivy Dishes →

Canisters, I love lucy, I love Lucy Props, Kitchen, Nesco, Toleware

‘I Love Lucy’ Kitchen Trivia: The Moving Bread Box

The Kitchen set of  the “I Love Lucy” New York apartment featured a distinctive square breadbox with matching canister set made by Nesco.

Nesco bread box in same design seen on the "I love Lucy" show starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Nesco bread box in same design seen on the “I love Lucy” show starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Lucy's Bread Box right way up
Season 1: Lucy’s Bread Box right way up

The door of the breadbox  was a pull down style with a handle at the top.  By the third season, the bread box had to be turned on its side to keep the door from falling open, which happened on screen in one episode when Ricky walked into the kitchen, Continue reading ‘I Love Lucy’ Kitchen Trivia: The Moving Bread Box →

50s Retro, I love lucy, I love Lucy Props, Mid-century

50’s Retro: Lucy Ricardo’s Kitchen

On The Sitcom Kitchen SetIMG_1967 50’s and retro continues in popularity, you can pay a small fortune for mid century vintage furniture and decor items from big name designers but there are plenty of affordable genuine 50’s items available on sites like eBay.com and Etsy to add a vintage touch to your home. Continue reading 50’s Retro: Lucy Ricardo’s Kitchen →