Reader Nancy recently made an exciting and valuable discovery in a neighbor’s pile set out for the trash man: A set of vintage Caloric kitchen appliances and sink — New Old Stock, still in the original boxes. Including: Built-in oven with warming drawer (?), gas cooktop, splash back, range hood, double-bowl sink, and brochures. Oh: In luminous pink pink pink. Five years into the blog, and I don’t see this too often. Moreover, I became very intrigued when Nancy asked me if I knew anything about Beatrice West, who was credited on one of the boxes for the color styling. I LOVE learning about — and helping to rediscover — once-famous, now forgotten (?) design personalities from the mid-century years. Read on for what I’ve found out about Beatrice West — oh, and see 15 more photos of Nancy’s NOS pink kitchen loveliness — which she is looking to sell.
Nancy writes:
Hi Pam! This is such a great find! I found them in the garbage!!
Yes in the garbage!
My elderly neighbor died, and her grandson bought the house and basically threw everything in the house out!
When I saw the pile of boxes I had to investigate!
When I saw what it all was I almost fell over!
I got my husband and I loaded our truck! None of it has been used, the oven still has the tag on it! The only thing missing is the part that goes under the knobs of the gas stove top. I have half of the box for the stove (the other half was just crumbling).
Its all made by Caloric!
I can only find the original ad for the stove on the web.
Have you ever heard of Beatrice West?
On the boxes it says her name. I cannot find anything like this (never used appliances from the sixties).
I do want to sell it all, not sure if I should sell it separately or as a package and what to charge… these type of things usually don’t exist!!!:)
If you have an info on it let me know!
I do have other pics that I could send you, close ups etc. if you want to put it on your web site (which by the way I loooooove!!!) feel free!
I had actually thought of changing my kitchen and putting in these items but my husband wasn’t thrilled!
- Nancy
Thank you, Nancy, for sharing your story and these photos. I am sure you will find a buyer, these are so delicious.
Meanwhile — back to Beatrice West. When Nancy wrote I began to search on google and was able very quickly to find numerous references to Beatrice West from the 1950s, into the 1960s, and as late as 1981. I have to admit, though, that it was frustrating, because while Google books now archives many many publications, it only gives “snippets” — not the full text, for copyright reasons. I totally understand and respect this. Just sayin’ that my research on Beatrice West is mostly parsing snippets until I can get to the original source documents.
From what I could piece: In the early part of her career, Beatrice West worked as an architect in Texas. Ultimately, she became an expert consultant on the use of color in midcentury America, operating a number of eponymous companies such as Beatrice West Color, Inc. at 333 E. 46th St. in New York City, authoring or co-authoring a number of books, and working with big-name housing developers like Levitt, with manufacturers like Caloric and with retail clients alike. She was a charter member of the Color Marketing Group and its president in 1969, and received the group’s highest honor in 1981.
Update: See Comments below, for additional info that readers quickly dug up, which I need to incorporate up here when I get additional time.
A 1955 Popular Mechanics story on exterior colors for the home says:
An incident that happened early in Miss West’s career best illustrates the power of color. It was right after World War II and despite the housing shortage a development of prefabricated houses did not sell. Miss West, who was then working as an architect in her native Texas, was asked by the prefab manufacture to visit the project and tell him what was wrong. There she found row after row of white houses with blue shutters and mottled roofs of red, blue and green. She worked out a color plan for the entire project of 300 houses and fixed up a model for demonstration fixed up a model for demonstration purposes. All the house were sold in a single weekend and Beatrice West had found herself a new career. Soon she was planning the color for Levitt projects and National Homes.
Looks like she did color consulting for American Kitchens (steel kitchen cabinets):
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books.google.com1955 - Snippet view – American Lumberman and Building Products Merchandiser
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She was involved with Charles Goodman:
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books.google.com1955 - Snippet view – Tide – Volume 29, Issues 14-27
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Relative to the Caloric relationship, I found this snippet.. there were others for subsequent years:
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books.google.com 1959 - Snippet view – Gas Age: Volume 124
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Somewhere there is a film!:
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books.google.com H.W. Wilson Company - 1960 - Snippet view – Educational Film Guide
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She was a who in the Who’s Who of Women in 1961:
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books.google.com 1961 - Snippet view – Who’s Who of American Women, Volume 2
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Note, this book about Levittown, Pennsylvania, calls West an interior designer, not an architect. It also says she was involved in the very first Levittown:
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books.google.com Dianne Harris - 2010 – 429 pages - Second suburb: Levittown, PA
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books.google.com American Gas Association - 1960 - American Gas Assoc. Monthly Volume 41
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By 1969, she may have become a design snowbird down in Florida:
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No cover image
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books.google.com1969 - Snippet view – AIA Journal
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It looks like she was doing some work with Eljer circa 1977:
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books.google.com Making of America Project - 1977 - House Beautiful, Volume 119
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The last reference I can find to her online is 1981, when she received the Color Marketing Group’s Dimmick Award. They called her “Bea”:
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books.google.com Color, Inter-Society Color Council, Colour Group (Great Britain) - 1982 - Color Research and Application, Volume 7
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But… This information is so scattershot. What happened to Beatrice West after 1981? Why isn’t there more information available about this COLORFUL woman’s life?! Anything mystery for us to unravel!
Beatrice West color-designed Caloric appliances – NOS pink set – for sale 
Samantha spots a Saved Pink Bathroom 
Become a fan
What a find!!! It’s amazing the things that people will throw away.
Oh my goodness! That’s incredible! I would have passed out on the street if I’d seen such amazingness there! Wow!! And that it all had never been installed and is so pristine. Wow..some more. Congratulations to Nancy! And here’s to Beatrice and to color, color, color!
Lol no doubt!
WOW! I am in awe of anything mid century pink!!! What a find!
That has to be one of the most awesome curb finds ever!
WOW. Whoever buys it will be very lucky.
May have found something on Beatrice West at the rootsweb.com Social Security Death Index. There is a Beatrice W Wittrup born in 1910, died in 1996 in Palm Beach, FL. Her Social Security number was issued in New York. Rather circumstantial, but some of the clues seem to match. One of my hobbies is genealogy, and I am slowly embracing the mid-century while renovating the suburban split level I grew up in.
John — that is her for sure! I saw that reference to her maiden name in another reference, and her last interior decorating company seems to have been in Deerfield Beach, Florida. THANK YOU! Now, I need more information on her life!!!
We’ll keep digging on info for Beatrice, and get you pictures of my split level.
Very curious to know why this was never installed. Did her husband hate pink? And what city is this in?
I have no idea why this was never installed! I’m located in Northern NJ.
Nancy,
Where in northern NJ are you and have you decided on a price for this set yet? I’m in Vernon, NJ and very interested. You can contact me at iloveyouletsgo2@gmail.com if you’re looking to speak with a very interested potential buyer!
Best,
Jessica
Here’s a PDF I found with an advertisement featuring Beatrice West and a brand called Lucite Wall Paint: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/SiteMap/FreePdfPreview.aspx?img=101666524
I also found a clipping that stated that “Miss West considers the roof color the most important area”
Hurray!
ooh, that’s a good one. thanks!
What a great find! I’d pull all my stainless out for a kitchen like that! My next house will be a mid century modern for certain… If I can just convince my DH.
Wow! That is a beautiful set! That pink is actually rather subtle. It’s hard to believe someone would just put these out with the trash. Thanks for saving them!
Great find and super great research. Nice to know Beatrice West was a real person and not a made up corporate advertising company persona like Betty Crocker or Uncle Ben.
I would LOVE that gas cooktop!! I hope you’ll post how she decides to sell them?? Thanks for sharing…
I emailed Nancy to let her know about the post here on the main blog, and to give her the opportunity to supply contact info, etc. Personally, I hope the set stays together…
I agree totally, but just in case that doesn’t happen…
Nancy- I have the same range in white which I picked up from Craigslist with the thought of installing into my 50′s kitchen. Then my late 70′s wall oven died and I spent three months searching for a period oven in good condition. Finally I found not one but two Chambers wall ovens. Once you buy a Chambers you don’t go back. So I had to track down and buy a Chambers rangetop model, stainless steel with a griddle, still waiting to install it. To make a long story short I have the one piece your missing and would be happy to give it to you. I’m not sure exactly how to make that happen. Its probable the coolest part too. Lots of fins like a Cadillac.
Hi Russell, Congrats on your finds! The piece that is missing is underneath the stove top knobs, kind of like a decorative plate or catch all, probably all silver/chrome color. Would you be able to take a pic of it and send it to my email? I would really appreciate that! Thanks for the post!
Nancy
nancy159@yahoo.com
Holy Cow!!! What a find! I’m curious, too, why these were never installed? Love that oven and the knobs! WOW! WOW! WOW! Congrats on a great find!
The Retro Gods were surely looking out for you & knew where to place the priceless items. What a dream find! Thank you for rescuing these items!
Well, I didn’t expect to get teary at the thought of someone ‘trashing’ this set. So glad it was saved, and I echo Pam – I hope it stays together. Takes your breath away it does….
Say, do you know about WorldCat? It is, literally, a world-wide library catalog database. All university libraries and most public libraries with internet access will have access to this database. You can find virtually any publication, where it is located, and how to borrow it. Some libraries will lend only to university libraries, so you’d have to get permission for that, but many will lend to public libraries. I have used the database to find some really obscure late 19th-century magazine articles, so you might have luck finding some of the speeches and other articles.
Oh, my goodness…! It does take your breath away! Please keep it together… it’s so wonderful! Good luck!
My favorite post of the week, for sure! I am crazy for this stuff…and have a 1958 pink Monterey gas stove(freestanding) and it makes me giggle with elation every time I look at it.
I want to buy this. How do I get in touch with her?!
Kerry, I’ve emailed Nancy giving her the opportunity to post her contact info here. I am not sure if she’s sold these yet, or what…Patience Paddywan
Hi Patty, I do want to sell it, not sure how though, thought of auction house or to entertain offers! If you would like to get in contact with me my email is nancy159@yahoo.com
Thanks!
Nancy
Whoops, sorry meant Kerry!
Holy cannoili! What a score! This is a sign to Nancy that she needs to buy a house with a place for these fab appliances!
And speaking of the Retro Gods… should we identify them? I’ll nominate Janus, god of doorways, portals and the beginning and end of things. He’s a two faced god, which is why theatre folk have adopted him.
But we really need a kitchen and bathroom goddess, don’t you think?
Diana needs to be Kitchen Goddess because of the Youngstown connection….
You know, maybe there’s some local house museum that could use them if Nancy can’t, although, I really think her husband should just be one with the new pink kitchen.
I’d be interested in knowing what Nancy wants for the whole set as well.
Hi Roseana, not sure whether I will sell through an auction house or to entertain offers. Here is my email if you would like to contact me:
nancy159@yahoo.com
Thanks!
Nancy
I found a bit more info:
Last Name: Wittrup
First Name: Beatrice Kantz West
Age: 85
Town: Boca Raton
Obituary Date: First: 22 Feb 1996
From the Genealogical Society of Palm Beach.
She also had a company in Boca Raton, Beatrice West Studios. Florida still has it listed as Inactive. She was the President, Secretary and Director, and Jack Wittrup was the Director, Treasurer and Vice President
It makes me wonder if this is the same lady. Wittrup was her maiden name? Then why is she sporting two other names before it?
I am SURE it is her same name. Hypothesis: Her legal and real name was Wittrup. Her “marketing” name was West?
I basically DIED.
Curious as to where Reader Nancy lives. Distance is definitely a factor for me while looking for appliances/cabinets/whatever.
Hoping she’ll check in soon!
HI Lara jane, I’m in Northern New Jersey. It all can be freight shipped, I have to check into that as well! Will post when I find info on that!
Thanks
Nancy
Holy Smokes, what an incredible find. I can’t imagine breaking up a set like this. Bravo to Nancy for rescuing it and to her husband for helping. Good luck finding a good home for all of this!
I’m speechless…swoon!
If you want to sell them. Please let me know i have been looking everywhere for a set. To go with teal. I am Houston in a small 1950′s ranch.
HI Matt, I do want to sell them as a set. I’m not usre whether to sell them through and auction house or to entertain offers. You can reach me through my email nancy159@ yahoo.com.
Thanks!
Nancy
This is incredible. To think that after all these years that NOS appliances from this era still exist in their boxes.
it’s times like these that I really wish there was an online encyclopedia or wiki just for mid-century designers. I had one heck of a time trying to get information about Dorothy Schindele, and she’s not *that* obscure, right?
What a truly amazing find. I went out for a quick search around the blog-o-sphere and this find and article is showing up everywhere. People are VERY excited. Let’s hope the man silly enough to throw them out doesn’t come looking for them.
Oh, wouldn’t the best way to sell them be an on line auction so that the maximum value was met? Or a very large auction house that takes phone bids?
Just amazing! I wonder if I could convince the hubs to let me put those in our 1962 ranch. We are in the throws of a restore/remodel so the timing is perfect!
Here is a PDF of proceedings in the Florida State Senate, 1984. See p. 241, S.R. 2119, commending Jack Wittrup for the portraits he has completed and inviting he and his wife Beatrice up to the stage to receive a copy. Jack Wittrup = Beatrice West’s husband, I now update my hypothesis: http://archive.flsenate.gov/data/Historical/Senate%20Journals/1980s/1984/17-233TO24205_08_84.PDF
Oh my, where is this set? It looks like it might even be a perfect fit & I already have the pink Ransburg Rooster canister set to match! I would be interested, too! Pls give her my info!
HI Leftofcentergirl, I’m located in Northern New Jersey. I can be contacted at nancy159@yahoo.com.
Thanks!
Nancy
Pam:
Please relay to Nancy that she has a buyer if she decides to sell !! I would love to keep this set together and install it in my 1959 dealership’s kitchen.
Hi Al Casby, I do want to sell it, but not sure as to how. Thought of an auction house, ebay or entertaining offers! You can reach me throught email at nancy159@yahoo.com.
Thanks
Nancy
Here’s a short bio on Jack Wittrup — who apparently is well known for his illustrations of pin-up girls! These two must have been QUITE the couple! Also a name of a first cousin… http://www.askart.com/AskART/artists/biography.aspx?searchtype=BIO&artist=117909
Showing marriage dates: http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lasleygw/Hans%20Adam%20Shilling%20descendants/rr01/rr01_064.html
Children???
That is just too,tooo good to be! I’m going to start trolling dumpsters too! And to think I was congratulating myself on a small bundle of unused Cannon striped towels from circa ? the orig. tag says 59 cents. I know what I’ll dream about tonight…
Finding Cannon towels new in their original packaging is awesome too! I have a growing collection of Cannon & Fieldcrest towels with the reversible designs. They were so well made back then! Awesome find!
What an awesome find! I can’t believe how stunning it is. If someone who is doing a retro kitchen doesn’t want it maybe a museum would.
How fascinating!! I have quite a few Wittrup Pinup prints – reproductions but still fab and fun! I highly recommend – they’re super cute in a bathroom.
OMG!! That pink oven…..unbelievable find!! Are you going to sell it? If so, what’s the price?
Wow! This is so amazing, all the comments and compliments! Thank you all and especially Pam for the posting! I can’t tell you how excited I was when I saw what was in those boxes that day: 1962, all pink, never used vintage appliances and with their original boxes! I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing! We couldn’t move fast enough to get them loaded in our truck! Saved from the trash heap!!! I would love to sell them to someone who has been searching for a find like this. Many of you expressed that the set shouldn’t be broken up and I agree, at this time I would like to sell it as the set that it is! So here’s my dilemma….do I contact an auction house (being I live 30 Miles from Manhattan in Northern New Jersey) or entertain offers? If anyone has any questions, comments, offers to entertain please don’t hesitate to contact me at: nancy159@yahoo.com
I just don’t even know what to say. I have never seen such beauty. What I wouldn’t give to own those pieces!! I agree with others that I hope the pieces can stay together. So happy they were saved by you Nancy!!
Oh my god!! Fabulous. Just fabulous. Good work Ms. Nancy!
WOWZA!!!
Thanks so much for sharing this fabulous story! I’m very excited about the find and I’m not even the one who found them!
Robin ~
That is AWESOME!!!! I would go next door and talk to the son and see if he has anything else that he wants to throw out.
I keep wondering why this woman had a whole pink kitchen in her house for 50 years and never did anything with it!!
Lucky, lucky, lucky. Love that pink! Thanks Pam for all of the info on Ms. West. I love your blog!
So Bea is the lady we have to thank for those wonderful colors? Well, at least pink, turquoise & yellow were wonderful!
Hey, that house pictured in the commercial — I recognized it immediately. My parents bought that same house in University Hills in Denver in 1952! It was quite the rage back then. Ours had the optional garage, which was attached on the left side. We had the 2-path driveway, with grass in the middle. Oh, the memories! I remember we had a Westinghouse “Weigh-to-Save” front-load washer (no dryer), and a gas stove. Mom had to light the pilot each time she wanted to use the oven, and one time, it backfired on her. I had a fear of gas appliances for many years after that.
In subsequent years, I purchased, and lived in, 2-other homes that were (coincidentally) built in 1952. Denver was exploding in the ’50s, and builders couldn’t build homes fast enough. There is a large enclave of California (Eichler) mid-century modern homes in southeast Denver. It’s a joy to drive around and see them. Many have been restored to their original resplendance.
Thank’s for saving it from the scrapheap wow they are beautiful. The best thing I found in a council cleanup was a early 60′s heater still new in the box worked first time. It is amazing what people chuck out.
My opinion is if you go through an auction house, you will have pay a hefty commission. I dare to say that Pam’s website is visited by most people that would be interested in your set and have a genuine appreciation for all things Mid Century! And another reader mentioned that if you Google this topic, it is all over the internet.
If I were in your position, I would just entertain offers for a few weeks (send an e-mail to everyone that has said they were interested with a certain end date) and then just take care of the transaction that way. Maybe you will get lucky and the buyer will live close enough to come pick up! Good Luck and AWESOME find!