Cocktail Shakers, Lava Lamps, and Tupperware: A Celebration of Lifestyle Design from the Last Half of the 20th Century [Paperback]

Wayne Hemingway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2003

"Cocktail Shakers, Lava Lamps, and Tupperware is a supremely cool and consumer-driven showcase of everyday interior design of the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. From toasted-sandwich makers and Tupperware containers to mass-produced polypropylene or tubular steel chairs and from porch swings to cocktail shakers, this book delves into the various living areas of the suburban home land the catalogs from which the artifacts were ordered) to find the best of popular design. The book combines hip graphic treatments with a level of ironic kitsch that reflects the products featured. Internationally acclaimed pop-cultural design aficionado Wayne Hemingway adds his uniquely witty commentary as a collector and champion of mass-produced interior design.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Wayne Hemingway is a pop-cultural icon: co-founder of award-winning clothing company Red or Dead, mass market home architect, TV persona (from art critic and architectural awards judge to breakfast chat show fashionista). Wayne lives by the sea with his wife and four children in Chichester, UK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592530451
• ISBN-13: 978-1592530458
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,118,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars great reference, September 14, 2011

By 

karissa - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cocktail Shakers, Lava Lamps, and Tupperware: A Celebration of Lifestyle Design from the Last Half of the 20th Century (Paperback)

This is a fantastic reference tool for anyone interested in the kitschier, more low-brow side of mid-to-late 20th century design. Obvious items such as sofa sets, credenzas, and shelving units are included, as well as less obvious areas such as moulded bathroom pieces, floor tiles, and typewriters.

However, while I realize this book is on the more fun, playful side (as opposed to being serious home furnishings research material), slightly more reference photos and descriptions could have benefitted the reader. The writeup on netted curtains is merely a rant by the author on how much he hates them - save the opinions for conversation, please, unless we're discussing this person-to-person, I don't care how much you dislike something.

Despite the lack of content in the writing, I do like the use of catalog excerpts - anyone can take a photo of a chair in a thrift store; I'm impressed with the material that the author has presented.

3.0 out of 5 stars Great choice of items, but very poor quality images, March 5, 2009

By 

Michael A. Duvernois (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Cocktail Shakers, Lava Lamps, and Tupperware: A Celebration of Lifestyle Design from the Last Half of the 20th Century (Paperback)

This is conceptually an excellent book, celebrating the home design elements of the second half of the 20th century. Woven plastic "fabric" lawnchairs. Catalog hi-fi holding tables. Padded wet bars. The author clearly values some of these items, and includes others (lava lamps for example) that are disliked but important for the era.

The whole thing is seriously undermined though by the VERY poor quality illustrations, mostly taken from catalogs which appear to be reproduced using a defective polaroid camera with a lens that had been scratched by a rabid porcupine. Horrid illustrations. Most of these items can still be found in homes and thrift stores, they could have been photographed. There are photographs from the time as well. Anything!