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She often appears in class dressed in a ‘50s outfit complete with a fancy, sheer vintage party apron.
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A Life Of Lively Kitchen Collecting!
By Rosemary Lee Potter, Ed.D.
Special to Tropical Breeze
Once again it is delightful to hear a tale of collecting which fits nicely right into the life and work of the collector. Such a story comes from Sonia Kotusinski, home economics teacher (now its called Family and Consumer Sciences) at Joseph L. Carwise Middle School in Palm Harbor. Sonia is a tall, striking, young educator who loves to cook! It shows, this high-interest impression, as on class cooking days, she often appears in class dressed in a ‘50s outfit complete with a fancy, sheer vintage party apron. Some girl students recognize the period costuming for what it is. Others haven't a clue. I was told that, after her first appearance dressed this way, at later cooking days, some girls did bring in aprons to wear. Progress?
When visiting Sonia's classroom you can't miss the vintage kitchen items displayed along the top of the many cabinets. Cabinets, I might add, painted that famous 50's vintage light turquoise. One display includes a number of old cookbooks Sonia was able to acquire as her Florida State University home economics school cleaned out old library shelves. Another offers posters and ads and includes a rice sieve, egg beater, and an iron - and more. Sonia says girls in her class cannot believe how heavy the iron is/would be if in use. Imagine teaching students to iron. Progress?
How long has Sonia's interest in old kitchen items been expressing itself?
She says her mother was surprised when she chose a broom and dustpan set as a gift from her grandmother, when given many other options. Seriously, she's always liked cooking. Her first collectibles were jello molds which she bought at a church yard sale as a tenth-grader. She early on acquired a taste also for pieces of popular china in the distinctive Franciscan Starburst pattern.
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Tropical Breeze photos by Rosemary Lee Potter
Sonia Kotusinski, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, with her first Jello grape mold.
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Sonia kept her original collection in a box under her bed at home - but when she went off to FSU - so did her collection - as dorm room decor! For example, she displayed an eggbeater from a hook on the ceiling. Different dorm room, eh? However, remember her major and eventual career plans.
As time and collecting went on, were there some buyer's remorse experiences?
Sure, during a college break, over in Blountown, Sonia and a friend discovered a vintage Frigidaire which they thought would be a perfect acquisition. Unfortunately, the man selling it would only let it go if they also bought an overlarge commercial freezer, impossible to cart home in the vehicle they were driving. Wistfully, Sonia remarked how the refrigerator if only as interior decor, could have been used as a classic storage cabinet, but also recalled how impractical the freezer was.
Does Sonia's mom or she use any of the old kitchen tools? Of course, but not if they are rusty or damaged. However, she says her mom bought a brand new mixer which really didn't work well. Back she went to her old mixer - a trusty 40-year-old appliance, a joy for vintage collectors! Progress isn't always so.
Sonia also is enjoying her search for her own place. She is particularly excited about one condo she's seen and yet its decor would not appeal to many - excepting Sonia, vintage kitchen collector! Would you know the place she's considering buying has a red sink and black fixtures as well as one wall painted bright red! These colors fit well with many of her collectibles - much less her taste in period furniture.
Looking for a rare piece, Sonia? Yes, she would someday wish to find an enamel-topped table with a chrome edge. So far, too expensive, but she expects to find one affordable eventually.
Here was something I also enjoyed hearing from Sonia - how taste in the period clothes, colors, music and other items is part of Rockabilly culture - like those 1940s-1950s dresses, to me, so reminiscent of the period, once shown at Disney World's aqua kitchen, as well as the dress and appliances on "The Jetsons" animated TV cartoon series.
Big beads for your neck? Frilly, sheer apron in the kitchen? What else? Some folks like a special ambience in their lives. So what's in your kitchen cabinet or even bathroom cupboards? A hair curling iron, a mixer or blender, a washboard? There are thousands of handy appliances and cooking tools which appeal to collectors - some even still in use. Remember to look at the handles of tools as some may be made of valuable Bakelite - a vintage, extruded plastic in various, usually bright colors. Holiday home decor? Maybe!
A Note on Collecting References: For some months I have enjoyed reading a delightful version of collecting news. The Kovels are well known for their annual Antiques and Collecting PriceList - the 2007 edition now available. It's Ralph and Terry Kovel's new, extremely valuable online resource, their web newsletter - Kovels Komments! You'll find info on recent surprising antiquing mysteries, humor on current desirable items like an unusual new Barbie, and a valuable sharing of identification techniques about queries. Check it out for yourself at kovels.com.
© 2006 Rosemary Lee Potter. All Rights Reserved.
Rosemary Lee Potter is a confirmed victim of the collecting bug and can be reached by e-mail at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
or write to her in care of Tropical Breeze, P.O. Box 585, Safety Harbor, FL 34695.
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| An array of vintage kitchen appliance and tool collectibles, advertising, and period shoes, collection of Sonia Kotusinski. |
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| Collection of 1950’s cookbooks and home economics texts, acquired at FSU Home Ec give-away. |
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