Perhaps it has something to do with growing up in the super-graphic, Terence Conran inspired late-'70s, but for reasons unknown, i've always been obsessed with housewares and accouterment that communicate, spell it out for you, let you in on their raison d'être. I'll give you a few good examples . . .
Cocktail Time (L to R): 1970s gin decanter with cork (currently $9.95 here), mid-century Couroc ice-bucket ($9.95 on ebay), 1960s Danish brandy decanter by Kastrup Holmegaard for Raymor ($88.50 on ebay)
Fashion talk: c.1960s paper "Love" dress, the truly iconic Le Bag c.Early-1980s (I have a brown and tan one that I carry religiously, which I found on ebay), c.1960s Potato Sack dress
High art: (L and R) Ceramic opium and nicotine jars by Raymor c.1960s ($19.99 on ebay. Eat your heart out, Jonathan Adler!), (middle) c.1930s "drugs" sign salvaged from an old pharmacy (as seen here)
Ooh, spicy!: c.1970s herb jars (£18), carved wooden spice rack c.1970s (available here for $39.99)
Well done: c.1960s Australian Bessemer melamine BBQ platter ($AU 4.50)
Coffee, tea, me?: c.1970s tea jars (£18), moustache mug (for keeping a perfectly foam-less moustache while you sip!), c.1960s flour power sifters (£15)
Totally cheesy: c.1960s T.G. Green ceramic cheese dome (£22), c.1970s cheese & crackers platter ($14.99), c.1970s enamel cheese dome (£22)
Kiss my grits: c.1960s T.G. Green utensil jar (£6), c.1950s enamel bread bin (£45), c.1960s Arthur Wood biscuit jar (£8)
And above is the perfect kitchen in which to display all of your wordy decor, as well as some truly literary mailboxes (photos from the absolutely brilliant 1982 design tome, The Los Angeles Times California Home Book by Carolyn S. Murray).
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