We are Retro Geeks. And we love to uncover and revive odd terminology from the way back time machine days. Today we spotlight: Formica’s 1959 Vanitory. But is this an Australia-only invention??
Facebook follower Joel recently sent us a tip to this woddity, which he spotted in an advertisement for sale on ebay Australia from seller huckleberryhash.
Pam remarked that she’s seen a play on words like this to describe unique bathroom vanity designs before: Beauty Queen made a line of Lavanettes, including the Vanette model.
Back to the Formica Vanitory: Marketed as “your first step towards the home of tomorrow” these Vanitory units are quite dreamy. In particular, the curvy one-piece countertop design makes the unit look built-in. And of course, the purple polka dot laminate — we want! In fact, this whole bathroom is so cheerful and colorful — doesn’t it make you want to pull up a chair and primp for a while?
We have scholarship (yet to be published) that verifies that laminate could be “post formed” — curved — like this, as early as 1952. And of course, laminate can still be post-formed today. So: Vanitory, anyone? Perhaps an intrepid reader will give it a try.
Mega thanks to ebay seller huckleberryhash for letting us feature this vintage Vanitory advertisement.