Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey guys, and welcome back to OMG the seventies, So
glad to have you back. Before we start, I apologize
for my voice. I am just getting over the flu,
and although I feel great, my voice is lagging behind.
So I'm just going to embrace the sexy hoarseness. Let's
say today we're going to talk about kitchens, nineteen seventies kitchens,
(00:27):
all the avocado green appliances. Last time we talked, we
started talking about interior design of the nineteen seventies and
shag carpet and some of the awful colors and the
big plush furniture. But today we're going to dive deeper
into nineteen seventies kitchens. Of course, it is the heart
of the home, the kitchen. Let's forget the sleek, stainless
(00:52):
steel and minimalist designs. This was definitely an era of
avocado everything. Seriously, if it could be coated in that
particular shade of green, it was. And I'm not just
talking about the walls though yes those were two. We're
diving headfirst into a world of avocado colored refrigerators, toasters, blenders,
(01:16):
and even those weird little countertop ovens that looked like
they belonged on a spaceship. These weren't just appliances. They
were statements, bol proclamations of a decade that wasn't afraid
to experiment with color, even if the results occasionally bordered
on the psychedelic. I know you all had grandparents that
(01:40):
had every single small appliance that they owned on the counter.
There wasn't even enough space for a cup because they
had a blender, they had a toaster, they had a
small oven. What else did they have? Y'all? They had
it all. I can't stand that I have to put
(02:00):
my stuff away, But we had those grandparents. Remember the refrigerators,
the behemoths, usually standing proudly and rather awkwardly in the corner.
They were often finished in a shade of avocada green
that could only be described as earthy if earth happened
(02:23):
to be located in a particularly swampy region. They hummed
a distinctive tune, a low thrumbing that was as much
a part of the nineteen seventies soundscape as disco music
and the incessant drone of a distant lawnmower. Opening the
door was an event, a slow, deliberate process, partly because
(02:46):
the door itself often seemed awagh as much as a
small car, and partly because you were, you were taking
in the sheer spectacle of the interior. Those interior shelves,
usually made of glass or flimsy plastic, often held containers
of well, let's say, questionable food, things that had seen
(03:08):
better days and weeks and possibly months. Finding something specific
required a minor archaeological dig, a careful sifting through tupperware
containers and half empty jars, all while bracing yourself against
the potential avalanche of forgotten leftovers. And then there were
(03:34):
the toasters. Oh, the toasters. Forget those sleek modern contraptions
with their digital timers and self centering mechanisms. These were
behemoths of chrome and avocado green machines that demanded respect
and maybe a little fear. They popped up your toast
(03:55):
with a ferocious energy. Remember they went. Sometimes it shot
it right right out the top, often launching the slice
across the kitchen counter was surprising force. I remember one
particular toaster that had an abbot of spontaneously combusting. I'm
slightly exaggerating, but it certainly produced more smoke than it
(04:18):
should have. Cleaning those toasters was an exercise in frustration.
Crumbs seemed to cling to every nook and cranny, and
the chrome while let's just say it was a fingerprint
magnet of epic proportions. But the toasted bread, and for
the nineteen seventies homeowner, that was all that really mattered. However,
(04:42):
the true stars of the nineteen seventies kitchen what was that?
What am I going to say? The blenders? Exactly? These
weren't your dainty excuse me, these weren't your dainty plastic blenders.
These were powerful, often oversized machines built to withstand the
(05:05):
rigors of whipping up a batch of margaritas, or God
help us, a green tinged smoothie using the latest exotic
fruits possibly imported. The sound of the nineteen seventies blender
in full operation was legendary, a powerful whirring that could
shake the very foundation of your house, a symphony of
(05:28):
pulverized fruits and vegetables, accompanied by the satisfying clunk of
ice being broken down into submission. They often they also
seemed to possess an almost supernatural ability to self destruct.
Cleaning them involved carefully maneuvering to prevent a catastrophic spill
(05:51):
of fruit pulp, and a shower of tiny, seemingly indestructible blades.
Yet despite their nature and vegetable ease of cleaning, they
were vital appliances of the nineteen seventies homes. Let's talk
about some smaller appliances, the kitchen gadgets that promised a streamlined,
(06:14):
effortless approach to cooking and cleaning, though often delivered the
exact opposite. They were the electric carving knives that seemed
to be more dangerous than useful. The waffle irons that
could produce waffles that were simultaneously overcooked and undercooked. How
is that possible? There were the electric can openers that
(06:37):
seemed determined to make opening cans more difficult. How but
the ones that were mounted to the bottom of a cabinet.
What in the world, How often do you really use
a can opener? Does it need to be attached to
your kitchen cabinets? Now? These appliances sat on the counter
(06:59):
like miniature trophies, testament to the desire for progress and
the often comic attempts at achieving it. Beyond the avocado
colored appliances, the nineteen seventies kitchen boasted another distinct feature.
Think of those groovy floral wallpaper borders, often depicting whimsical
(07:23):
scenes of birds, flowers, or far out geometric patterns. These
borders sometimes clashed horribly with the kitchen cabinets, but that
was part of the charm. The cabinets themselves might have
been wood paneled, painted in an array of psychedelic colors,
or covered with contact paper that mimicked more expensive materials
(07:47):
and art form in itself. Remember when the contact paper
started to come off and it was sticky and everything
stuck to it. But once one little corner started, the
whole thing came off and it was just a sticky,
nasty mess. Lighting was another key component of the nineteen
(08:08):
seventies kitchen. Forget overhead lighting or talking about multiple pendant lights,
possibly made of stained glass or brass, hanging varying heights,
creating a diffused, sometimes dim light that cast long, whimsical
shadows across the counter. These lights often hung precariously, and
(08:31):
if you were feeling particularly adventurous, you could try to
replace a burned out bulb, a feat requiring both agility
and a high tolerance for risk taking, and of course
no nineteen seventies kitchen was complete without a plethora of
kitchen gadgets, most of which were ultimately unnecessary and frequently
(08:54):
ended up gathering dust in a drawer. There were egg cookers,
which guaranteed perfectly cooked eggs until they didn't. There were
ice cream makers, the use of which often required a
full day commitment. Each gadget promised convenience and efficiency, but
frequently added to the complexity of cooking. The overall aesthetic
(09:19):
of the nineteen seventies kitchen was a fascinating blend of
optimism and practicality, or perhaps a lack thereof. It was
a time when technology and design were still in their
relative infancy, leading to an electric mix of appliances, colors,
and patterns. It was a chaotic and often dys functional mix,
(09:43):
reflecting the decade's broader cultural trends that were vibrant, bold,
and unapologetically individual. Yet there was a certain charm to
this kitchen aesthetic, a sense of casual abandon and a
willingness to embrace the imperfect, the absurd. Looking back, the
nineteen seventies kitchen may seem like a comical juxtaposition of esthetics, functionality,
(10:10):
and sheer excess, but in its own peculiar way, it
offered a glimpse into the lives and aspirations of a
generation that was willing to experiment, even if it meant
enduring the quirks of all avocado colored appliances and a
persistent hum from that overly enthusiastic refrigerator. It was a
(10:32):
time that revealed in its eccentricities, and the kitchen as
the heart of the home was a perfect reflection of
this optimistic spirit. Today we might chuckle at the questionable
design choices, but there's a certain nostalgia for those appliances,
a connection to a bygone era of vibrant optimism and
(10:56):
quirky design. They may have been impractical and probe to the malfunction,
but they certainly possessed a charm that is often absent
in today's sleek, modern kitchens. And let's face it, those
avocado colored appliances are now collectible. Who knew a shade
(11:16):
of green could become so desirable After all these years,
the nineteen seventies kitchen remains a quirky testament to a
decade defined by its unique style and memorable imperfections. It's
a reminder that sometimes the most memorable spaces are the
ones that embrace a bit of happy chaos. Thank you
(11:40):
all so much for tuning in, and next time time
on OMG the seventies, we're going to talk about more
interior design and specifically furnishings. Thanks so much for being
patient with my voice. Y'all. Take care,
Hey guys, and welcome back to OMG the seventies, So
glad to have you back. Before we start, I apologize
for my voice. I am just getting over the flu,
and although I feel great, my voice is lagging behind.
So I'm just going to embrace the sexy hoarseness. Let's
say today we're going to talk about kitchens, nineteen seventies kitchens,
(00:27):
all the avocado green appliances. Last time we talked, we
started talking about interior design of the nineteen seventies and
shag carpet and some of the awful colors and the
big plush furniture. But today we're going to dive deeper
into nineteen seventies kitchens. Of course, it is the heart
of the home, the kitchen. Let's forget the sleek, stainless
(00:52):
steel and minimalist designs. This was definitely an era of
avocado everything. Seriously, if it could be coated in that
particular shade of green, it was. And I'm not just
talking about the walls though yes those were two. We're
diving headfirst into a world of avocado colored refrigerators, toasters, blenders,
(01:16):
and even those weird little countertop ovens that looked like
they belonged on a spaceship. These weren't just appliances. They
were statements, bol proclamations of a decade that wasn't afraid
to experiment with color, even if the results occasionally bordered
on the psychedelic. I know you all had grandparents that
(01:40):
had every single small appliance that they owned on the counter.
There wasn't even enough space for a cup because they
had a blender, they had a toaster, they had a
small oven. What else did they have? Y'all? They had
it all. I can't stand that I have to put
(02:00):
my stuff away, But we had those grandparents. Remember the refrigerators,
the behemoths, usually standing proudly and rather awkwardly in the corner.
They were often finished in a shade of avocada green
that could only be described as earthy if earth happened
(02:23):
to be located in a particularly swampy region. They hummed
a distinctive tune, a low thrumbing that was as much
a part of the nineteen seventies soundscape as disco music
and the incessant drone of a distant lawnmower. Opening the
door was an event, a slow, deliberate process, partly because
(02:46):
the door itself often seemed awagh as much as a
small car, and partly because you were, you were taking
in the sheer spectacle of the interior. Those interior shelves,
usually made of glass or flimsy plastic, often held containers
of well, let's say, questionable food, things that had seen
(03:08):
better days and weeks and possibly months. Finding something specific
required a minor archaeological dig, a careful sifting through tupperware
containers and half empty jars, all while bracing yourself against
the potential avalanche of forgotten leftovers. And then there were
(03:34):
the toasters. Oh, the toasters. Forget those sleek modern contraptions
with their digital timers and self centering mechanisms. These were
behemoths of chrome and avocado green machines that demanded respect
and maybe a little fear. They popped up your toast
(03:55):
with a ferocious energy. Remember they went. Sometimes it shot
it right right out the top, often launching the slice
across the kitchen counter was surprising force. I remember one
particular toaster that had an abbot of spontaneously combusting. I'm
slightly exaggerating, but it certainly produced more smoke than it
(04:18):
should have. Cleaning those toasters was an exercise in frustration.
Crumbs seemed to cling to every nook and cranny, and
the chrome while let's just say it was a fingerprint
magnet of epic proportions. But the toasted bread, and for
the nineteen seventies homeowner, that was all that really mattered. However,
(04:42):
the true stars of the nineteen seventies kitchen what was that?
What am I going to say? The blenders? Exactly? These
weren't your dainty excuse me, these weren't your dainty plastic blenders.
These were powerful, often oversized machines built to withstand the
(05:05):
rigors of whipping up a batch of margaritas, or God
help us, a green tinged smoothie using the latest exotic
fruits possibly imported. The sound of the nineteen seventies blender
in full operation was legendary, a powerful whirring that could
shake the very foundation of your house, a symphony of
(05:28):
pulverized fruits and vegetables, accompanied by the satisfying clunk of
ice being broken down into submission. They often they also
seemed to possess an almost supernatural ability to self destruct.
Cleaning them involved carefully maneuvering to prevent a catastrophic spill
(05:51):
of fruit pulp, and a shower of tiny, seemingly indestructible blades.
Yet despite their nature and vegetable ease of cleaning, they
were vital appliances of the nineteen seventies homes. Let's talk
about some smaller appliances, the kitchen gadgets that promised a streamlined,
(06:14):
effortless approach to cooking and cleaning, though often delivered the
exact opposite. They were the electric carving knives that seemed
to be more dangerous than useful. The waffle irons that
could produce waffles that were simultaneously overcooked and undercooked. How
is that possible? There were the electric can openers that
(06:37):
seemed determined to make opening cans more difficult. How but
the ones that were mounted to the bottom of a cabinet.
What in the world, How often do you really use
a can opener? Does it need to be attached to
your kitchen cabinets? Now? These appliances sat on the counter
(06:59):
like miniature trophies, testament to the desire for progress and
the often comic attempts at achieving it. Beyond the avocado
colored appliances, the nineteen seventies kitchen boasted another distinct feature.
Think of those groovy floral wallpaper borders, often depicting whimsical
(07:23):
scenes of birds, flowers, or far out geometric patterns. These
borders sometimes clashed horribly with the kitchen cabinets, but that
was part of the charm. The cabinets themselves might have
been wood paneled, painted in an array of psychedelic colors,
or covered with contact paper that mimicked more expensive materials
(07:47):
and art form in itself. Remember when the contact paper
started to come off and it was sticky and everything
stuck to it. But once one little corner started, the
whole thing came off and it was just a sticky,
nasty mess. Lighting was another key component of the nineteen
(08:08):
seventies kitchen. Forget overhead lighting or talking about multiple pendant lights,
possibly made of stained glass or brass, hanging varying heights,
creating a diffused, sometimes dim light that cast long, whimsical
shadows across the counter. These lights often hung precariously, and
(08:31):
if you were feeling particularly adventurous, you could try to
replace a burned out bulb, a feat requiring both agility
and a high tolerance for risk taking, and of course
no nineteen seventies kitchen was complete without a plethora of
kitchen gadgets, most of which were ultimately unnecessary and frequently
(08:54):
ended up gathering dust in a drawer. There were egg cookers,
which guaranteed perfectly cooked eggs until they didn't. There were
ice cream makers, the use of which often required a
full day commitment. Each gadget promised convenience and efficiency, but
frequently added to the complexity of cooking. The overall aesthetic
(09:19):
of the nineteen seventies kitchen was a fascinating blend of
optimism and practicality, or perhaps a lack thereof. It was
a time when technology and design were still in their
relative infancy, leading to an electric mix of appliances, colors,
and patterns. It was a chaotic and often dys functional mix,
(09:43):
reflecting the decade's broader cultural trends that were vibrant, bold,
and unapologetically individual. Yet there was a certain charm to
this kitchen aesthetic, a sense of casual abandon and a
willingness to embrace the imperfect, the absurd. Looking back, the
nineteen seventies kitchen may seem like a comical juxtaposition of esthetics, functionality,
(10:10):
and sheer excess, but in its own peculiar way, it
offered a glimpse into the lives and aspirations of a
generation that was willing to experiment, even if it meant
enduring the quirks of all avocado colored appliances and a
persistent hum from that overly enthusiastic refrigerator. It was a
(10:32):
time that revealed in its eccentricities, and the kitchen as
the heart of the home was a perfect reflection of
this optimistic spirit. Today we might chuckle at the questionable
design choices, but there's a certain nostalgia for those appliances,
a connection to a bygone era of vibrant optimism and
(10:56):
quirky design. They may have been impractical and probe to the malfunction,
but they certainly possessed a charm that is often absent
in today's sleek, modern kitchens. And let's face it, those
avocado colored appliances are now collectible. Who knew a shade
(11:16):
of green could become so desirable After all these years,
the nineteen seventies kitchen remains a quirky testament to a
decade defined by its unique style and memorable imperfections. It's
a reminder that sometimes the most memorable spaces are the
ones that embrace a bit of happy chaos. Thank you
(11:40):
all so much for tuning in, and next time time
on OMG the seventies, we're going to talk about more
interior design and specifically furnishings. Thanks so much for being
patient with my voice. Y'all. Take care,
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