Comments on: Recreate Don & Betty Draper’s 50s Mad Men kitchen

By: Jan

Jan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:39:35 +0000

Both of my grandmothers, an aunt and a great-grandmother all had the exact edging (at least from 1956 through the 1970s in north-central Indiana) on their kitchen countertops that is in that photo – looked like it just went around the edge with little or no lip on top and appeared to be (or really was) “tacked” on. Thanks, Randall, for the links – it’s just what I was trying to “recreate.”
And on a funnier note – the Barkwood china is what my parents started out with, and I ate off of it both growing up and when I was at their home later, until they replaced most of it about 1995 or so. The stuff they replaced it with was more expensive and is all scratched up and rough looking now, while the Barkwood never looked anything but new (unless we broke it!).

By: Nina462

Nina462 — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:04:39 +0000

First let me say, I am a true MadMan fanatic! I have a 65 Ranch, and my kitchen is still original (except appliances & flooring). It’s also missing the wallpaper, but from what little pieces left behind, I believe it was the plaid design. My kitchen sink is an Americast (by American Standard). My countertop is the original gold flecked laminate (with metal trim). My cabinets are original with the wrought iron hardware. When I first moved in I wanted to change & update–but I’m sure glad I didn’t. Now all I want to do is put it back to “normal”. I’m even anticipating buying dishes from that period (I already have a china set from 62). Now, where’s my cocktail? (I also have a blue tile bathroom and knotty pine basement w/bar). Some day I’ll take photo’s & submit.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:55:48 +0000

Hi, I’d never visited your blog until today, but just wanted to say that it’s amazing! Also, in case anyone is interested in re-creating the dishes, I just wanted to chime in that the cup and saucer pattern the Drapers have is known as “Barkwood” and was made by Vernon Kilns, a well known Calif pottery. I believe they’re shown in a few episodes, and in fact, one of the episodes begins with a closeup of just the cup.

By: Anita

Anita — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:40:30 +0000

Any idea what the blue paint color is in their living room area?

By: Randall Sluder

Randall Sluder — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:29:48 +0000

We have a 1953 vintage kitchen with a similar rounded peninsula counter and the same edge moulding. It’s not stainless steel, it’s aluminum, also from the New York Metal Co –

http://www.newyorkmetal.com/c-19-face-nosings-aluminum.aspx

The moulding is held onto the counter with screws. Those are the heads you see in the photo. Unlike the stainless product, this stuff can be easily fitted around curved counters. A good source of this “face nosing” is Outwater Plastics Industries Inc –

http://www.outwatercatalogs.com/2008_master/lg_display.cfm?page_number=55

If you can use lengths under 12 ft, they can cut it and ship it inexpensively by UPS.

- Randall

By: 50sPam

50sPam — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:18:43 +0000

Hi Magnarama, the edging in the MM kitchen does not appear to me to have the heft of the New York Metal edging that I recommend and which, to me, seems to have been most common for the period. I could be wrong about this – I am squinting at the photos, admittedly. I addition – I can’t say as I’ve ever seen an example of the little “tacks” shown on the MM edge. That does not mean they weren’t used – and it does seem to impose a Western look. All that said – (1) I apologize for being dogmatic again, especially as this kitchen is beautifully done, and (2) I continue to recommend NY Metal as my #1 choice – I’ve seen it live…have it in my kitchen…and it’s exactly like the stuff I see in most all 50s kitchens.

By: magnarama

magnarama — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:50:01 +0000

Could you explain further about the steel edging for the countertop? I’m failing to see what’s inauthentic about the one in the MM photo…