The Donna Reed Show kitchen

donna-reed-kitchenI was a bit on the young side to watch The Donna Reed Show, which aired from 1958 to 1966. But when I was first shopping for a vintage stove, a refurbisher not too far away wanted me to buy a pristine electric Philco, which he called “a real Donna Reed model.” Drats. It was. But I skipped it because Mr. Retro Renovation wanted a gas stove. But, we ended up with electric anyway — and the story continues because the 1959 GE Pushbutton that we ultimately bought from the same guy was the trade-in for the pristine Donna Reed model. Oh well. So now, I get to show you Donna Reed’s kitchen.

donna-reed

Obviously, the kitchen is a really a set for the television how, so it’s the ultimate U-shape, ha ha. Looks like the cabinets are wood – and not postwar ones. The stove and fridge look newer, though.

mary-with-wallpaper

You know me: I’m happy to see the wallpaper in the background. The curtains are a different design – but complement the wallpaper. Presumably Mary can pour milk right out of a pitcher because the milkman delivers fresh every morning. Remember the post about the history of the milkman?

jeff-in-the-donna-reed-kitchen

Hmmm, I think that is a washer or dryer behind son Jeff.

Honestly, I  need to watch more episodes to get a sense of the house and how to “date” this kitchen and its details. Luckily, I can watch 37 full episodes on Fancast (Hulu).

And there’s a museum just for Donna Reed, in her hometown of Denison, Iowa. Very cool. Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts.

Related posts:

  1. My home show talk in Eugene, Oregon How to boil down a year-and-a-half of Retro Renovation...
  2. Home shows then & now: A look back at the first Carolina show in 1961 One of the really cool things about my participation in...
  3. At the home show in Charlotte in 5 days: crunch time! I‘m counting down to the Southern Spring Home & Garden...
  4. Mid-century modern landscaping at the Southern Spring Home & Garden Show There are a number of celebrity presenters at the Southern...
  5. 2 retro exhaust fans for your kitchen ceiling or wall LAST YEAR Nutone discontinued the satin chrome grille its classic...

Comments        4

Comments

4 Responses to “The Donna Reed Show kitchen”
  1. John says:

    morning Pam, just an aside to your milkman comment. As Monty Python would say “But I’m not dead yet”!! My neighbors across the St. here in Florence have milk delivered to their doorstep and it gets stored in those metal boxes outside till they retrieve it. Friends in Boston also have milk delivery to their house in Roslindale.
    Some things do stay the same.
    John

  2. Jennifer says:

    Wow I wish I could have milk delivered! I didn’t know Donna Reed was on Hulu! I guess you know what I’ll be watching tonight ;)

  3. Thom Watson says:

    Pam,

    Have you seen the book “TV Sets,” by Mark Bennett. He’s hand-drawn the blueprints for dozens of classic TV homes, and the Alex and Donna Stone house is among them. It’s a really fun book.

  4. MrsErinD says:

    That kitchen is wonderful! Thanks, I am going to hook the laptop up to my tv so we can watch Donna Reed all day! ;O)

Leave a Comment --

If you are under 14 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate.
Here are the full legal terms of use you agree to by using this comment form.

Retro Renovation