I 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.
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.
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?
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.
My home show talk in Eugene, Oregon 
Electro Sink Center on the Dick Van Dyke Show 
Become a fan
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
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
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.
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)
My parents did not put steel cabinets in the house they built in the mid 50′s (about 1955 in Colorado) but built wooden cabinets which were painted…….I live in a 1958 story book ranch in Minnesota and the tiny kitchens in our development are also have wooden cabinets with full overlay flat panel doors with gold speckle counters(integral backsplash) or faux butcher block …….