Kitschy, Kitschy, Eeuw …
On July 19, 2020 by Speranza
I was recalling the 1960s “rec room” from my early childhood today and feeling a pang of empathy for that small girl, who was so proud of the questionable family touches that I felt sure elevated our home to another plateau of grooviness …
First, there was the purchase of a new Naugahyde couch, (“but what is a Nauga,” I questioned repeatedly, wondering what this unknown animal could be like.) The colour alone – a startling shade of Flaming Apricot – should have been the tip-off here and its slippery, unyielding cushions were as cold and rigid as a cemetery bench. But I loved it nonetheless and any rogue Cheeto dust remained undetected.
‘Artwork’ appeared on the walls next. There was the ubiquitous, almost government-issued pairings of the “The Blue Boy” and “Pinkie” – paintings which I have since learned were done by two different artists but are displayed together in the same museum and therefore linked in our minds. EVERYONE had these. But I have to report that our versions were infinitely superior since they had been reproduced on a fine, satin within a plasticky faux-gilt frame and were slightly padded to lend a convex, pin-cushion effect. I stared at them for hours.
I hinted strongly to my parents that a pair of those sad-eyed girls, always dressed as Harlequins (not the clowns, come on, give a five year old SOME credit!) would be another inspired addition, but sadly, this suggestion was never pursued.
My father’s company often gave a sort of “collectible” gift at Christmas each year and part of this generosity included the Bosson Head series. Very popular at the time, these “heads” occupied a display wall all their own and I was afraid to creep by them to change channels in the dim light as they seemed to be watching me too closely and I was especially concerned that they might speak to me. 
Finally, what middle class home of a certain (British) sensibility was complete, without The Three Flying Birds? Ideally mounted to simulate flight on their way up a staircase, the birds were usually ducks and often made of pottery. But ours were even better, being made of (working class!) brass and seemed a more genteel species.
Great post! (as usual) I grew up in a home with a dining room with walls ringed with the Danish Royal Copenhagan plates. I kinda thought they were cool as my mother would always purchase the annual new release. Thinking they may have had some value, I was incredibly disappointed when the time came when I saw them being sold by the dozen as box lots at auction. We also had the infamous Poker Playing Dogs ‘art’ work. As for the extra TP roll hidden in some fancy needle handiwork, it was never used for its most practical purpose. Strange people our parents were.
Who among us has not succumbed to The Franklin Mint at one time or another HA! (And, I mean no offence …)
I love this flash back. We didn’t have basements in Australia as we had mild Winters. Mum did have porcelain flying geese on the wall in the dining room.
LOVE that you had The Flying Birds too lol!!
Love this! We had no flying geese or Blue Boys, but my parents did have the ubiquitous bookcase made out of brinks and planks, as well as a coveted Blue Mountain pottery vase that, by law, had to grace every Canadian home.