How we'll win the war...
(the home front version)
-
We'll get Louis I. Kahn to design a nifty home for us Two houses are featured in this issue, the Kahn cutie above, and a Gerald Colcord colonial stone house built in that center of colonialism, Beverly Hills, California. Other design features: Lavishly illustrated cover article on modern glass: Libbey, Corning, Georg Jenson and Orrefors. ("...one of the few imported pieces still available.") New York landscape architect Cynthia Wiley designs "suntraps" for your garden, Richardson Wright discusses furniture placement, lighting techniques illustrated by a Henry Harding house in Palm Beach, "seen over a decorator's shoulder"... rooms from Marshall Field's Southwest House (!), Greek Revival House, and an apple-themed room in Rich's, Atlanta.
And I
quote: "Cactus motif in aspen yellow and pinon green on greige curtains
and rug in the large living room. Sofa, chair and walls are likewise
greige. Real cactus in pots repeats design of curtains and rug."
I believe this is where Gene Tierney first spots Cornel Wilde in Leave
her to Heaven.
- We'll freshen up our lipstick, light up a smoke, and whip up some cold orange mousse. Let's keep those home fires burning, shall we? Mysterious cosmetics ads (Tone, Luxuria, anyone?). Recipes in a chiding tone from the owner of the Cordon Bleu ("American women women should be the best cooks in the world... But though I have many who could cook, some superlatively, I think by and large they are spoiled."). The following (I think) hilarious ad for Marlboros:
The
luxury cigarette? When, do you suppose, did that demographic
change?!
- We'll think about all the things we're going to BUY. After. This was one of the most idiosyncratic aspect of the wartime magazines: ads for stuff you can't buy. Got any Spode china? Nope. Happen to have any of that Wallace silver on ya? Uh uh. May I please buy a Lincoln? Not bally likely, Miss. (The Lincoln ad features a lovely, sun-dappled empty road-- Route 32 along the New Hope Canal.) Take a gander at this astonishing ad for Gump's, will you?
"Some
day, when despoiling invaders have been swept into the sea, the good earth
of China will give up its buried treasure... Meanwhile, Gump's remains
a world-famed show place for pre-war importations..." Oh, my.
There is so very much to appall one here that I, jeans., am at a loss for
words... Let's move on to the next one, shall we?.
"Today,
Wallace craftsmen dedicate their skills to victory. But plan now
for the post-war era when silver will again be available in larger quantities
for gracious living."
Some manufacturers are not content simply to tell you that you may not buy their goods. Take Spode, for example:
Don't even think about buying this India Tree
plate!
You'll be sorry, Sister!
- We'll get snockered. No, really, there are more rum ads in this issue than I've ever seen in my life. I count at least six. (I know, I know. I'm slicing the limes right now, would you get out the Blen-dor?)
- And while we're accomplishing the above, we'll enjoy those idiosyncratic '40s design motifs. In this regard, All I Know I Learned From Bevis Hillier: It's all there, folks. Victorian themes (below), the husband-in-the-picture-frame motif, the South American/ Cuban obsession...
?