POD - 07.23.2018

[pulltostart]

That "Merry Manor" kitchen has long been my favorite kitchen!  Maybe it's the room full of turquoise appliances, maybe it's that beautiful laundry pair, or maybe the idea that the whole room could be had for $52/month (1958 prices).  And I could have it even cheaper since I would not include the through-the-wall a/c and would not need the upright freezer.

 

Ah yes, the good ol' days......

 

lawrence

 

[ea56]

In 1958 $52 a month was a lot of money for a GE all electric kitchen. My Aunt and Uncle bought a brand new 3 bed/2bath track home in 1956 for $11,500, and I recall them telling me years later that the mortgage paymt was only $90.00 a month! So, to commit to $52.00 a mo., just for a new kitchen you had to be affluent.

That being said, the pictures of those kithchens are great to look at. But, why would anyone have wanted both a top freezer and bottom freezer refrigerator side by side? That does seem tobe over doing it.

Eddie

 

[pulltostart]

Eddie,

The unit on the left is a bottom mount refrigerator.  The unit on the right is an upright freezer.  It does seem odd to have them both right there, but then again, this kitchen is not about reality; it's about showcasing as many appliances as they can pack in.

 

And you're correct, $52 a month was not small change in 1958.

 

lawrence

 

[norgeway]

Money then...

A example of that is, My Grandparents bought a new 52 Plymouth Cranbrook, the payments were 17.00 a month!!!

 

[maytagbear]

In 2017s dollars,

52.00 1958 dollars would be 448.08

Conversion from westegg.com/inflation

Merry Manor for me as well. The oven right above the washer-dryer in Happy Haven makes me nervous. I hate to be nervous.

Link included

Lawrence/Maytagbear

The Inflation Calculator

The following form adjusts any given amount of money for inflation, according to the Consumer Price Index, from 1800 to 2024. Enjoy!

westegg.com

 

[ea56]

My cousin has remained in touch with friends from their old neighborhood. That $11,500.00 house just sold for $665,000.00 six months ago! Thats a far cry from what his parents paid in 1956!

Eddie

 

[appnut]

Merry Manor Kitchen

Personally, I've always loved this kitchen too.  Eddie, I would love to be able to have my freezer in the kitchen rather than the laundry room (which is where mine is) or the garage.  A luxurious feature.  I guess the all-button dishwasher wasn't in existence in 1958.  If it was, why wouldn't GE showcase the TOL built-in dishwasher.  The only thing that really bugs me about this kitchen is there appears to not be any GE cabinets for dishware, glassware, flatware for use at the bar, if not capacity for the family.   I mean, the base cabinets that are there are perfect for pots, pans, bake ware, casserole dishes, counter top appliances.  I think it's horribly impractical to be storing everyday dishes and such in base cabinets. 

 

[circlew]

I like the Merry Manor better, too. However, I wouldn't like cleaning the grease off those lights by the range. It should have had some kind of exhaust hood.

 

[turquoisedude]

I'd have to pick the Merry Manor kitchen, too.  I've worked on those GE washer/dryer combos.... LOL 

 

[washman]

I can dig it

Any kitchen that makes one "merry' whilst cooking or cleaning is ok on my list!

 

[washerlover]

Merry Manor Record Player!

And that the record player and all those albums are so close by to add to the ambiance is lovely! How can you go wrong with a Turquoise kitchen?!

 

[tolivac]

On the kitchen with the TT nearby and the records??Kitchens can be noisy places--how can you enjoy the records with the noise?Most homes the record player is in like the living room or den where it could be quieter to listen to records.And the record laying on the ottoman without the cover where it collects dust or could be sat on!!!Folks don't always look before sitting down.The phones in the kitchens too,again with machines going you can't hear the phone.Of course the phones and TT's are moot now since we can carry our music and phones in our pockets1But do like the kitchens-better than the crappy DRECK out there today.Those kitchens look colorful and cheerful not drab and depressing like modern ones.

 

[jeb]

My mother worked full time and did the housework on Sat. The Hi-fi was in the dinning room just outside the kitchen door. She loaded it up with several LP records and cranked the sound up and cleaned and canned all day. If we didn't like it then we could "go outside and play".