My photoshop rendering with known colors of the Desilu prop bedspreads .
Above is my impression of a couple of contenders for the color of the hobnail chenile bedspreads on I Love Lucy. Previously we identified the make as Morgan Jones “Minuet”. Ads from the 1950’s era give us an idea of the color range but now thanks to an instagram comment from johndalessio we have more clues. Desiu props were re-used over the years and some identical bedspreads have turned up in Bonanza and on The Andy Griffith Show in color. There is a brown color that we saw on Andy Griffith that corresponds to “Sandalwood” in a contemporary ad. And a light green color version of the same bedspread as seen on the screen capture from Bonanza, S2 E33 “Elizabeth, My Love”, near the end of the episode. Either of the bedspreads could have originated in the I Love Lucy series. Those series were made on Desilu sets and used Desilu props. The green version would have been a good choice to set off Lucy’s red hair, dont you think?
The Green version of the same bedspread on Bonanza
The brown color version on Andy Griffith
Many thanks to johndalessio for providing the research through my my Instagram page
Johnson Carper “I Love Lucy” furniture on the show – notice the 50’s style splayed legs
As the Lucy Show soared in the ratings Desilu product placement took off on a grand scale with the I Love Lucy bedroom furniture. The original bedrooms set was replaced by a light wood version with new walnut accents such as the splayed legs seen on the chest of drawers, picked up the latest trend in mid century furniture.
This Original Johnson Carper Chest of Drawers with splayed legs in contrast walnut was seen on eBay recently.I Love Lucy Bedroom Furniture on an early version of the bedroom set – no splayed legs
The Johnson Carper “I Love Lucy” furniture that was promoted in the ad by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz had some differences from the first bedroom suite on the show as seen in the early photo above. The hardware is different and the 50’s style angled legs are not seen in the early set photo above. The color ad at the end of this post is more like the early on-set pieces.
Master Lineoleum features the Johnson Carper Fashion Trend I Love Lucy furnitureOriginal 1953 Ad for “Fashion Trend” Range of I Love Lucy style bedroom furnitureThis Johnson-Carper Fashion Trend set does not have the splayed legs.
BEFORE: Screen capture of the Ricardo’s BedroomAFTER: The bed on the left is from a photo of an original vintage bed. The wallpaper is from the current Delphia Jasmine range applied over the original.
Recently there was a vintage bed sold on eBay from the same “Fashion Trend” range by Johnson-Carper that was used for the I Love Lucy bedroom furniture. I copied and pasted from the images of the vintage bed ( see original photo below) into a screen capture from the show. I also pasted in wallpaper from the current Delphia Jasmine Trellis Floral Wallpaper by Brewster Home Fashions that we looked at in a recent blog post. Then I colorized Lucy’s bedding,wall picture and tripod lamp to suit the replicated half of the picture and here is the result.
The Ricardo’s beds were from the “Fashion Trend” range by Johnson-Carper. The color was described in the original ad as a ” contrast of light ivory Korina and natural walnut” The ad at the end of this page shows a lighter color set .The bed on eBay is a more golden color so the color in the rendering above is adjusted to appear lighter..
1950s “Fashion Trend” by Johnson-Carper seen on eBay
Pictured here is a 1950s “Fashion Trend” by Johnson-Carper seen on eBay ( Original listing HERE) the same make as the Ricardo’s beds on I Love Lucy. Shown are the headboard, foot board and slats. Solid blonde wood construction. The headboard shown above measures approx 57″ wide x 10.5″ deep x 42.5″ tall. Footboard measures approx 57″ wide x 20.5″ tall x 2.5″ deep. Slats are 54″ long.
Original 1953 Ad for “Fashion Trend” Range of I Love Lucy style bedroom furniture The color is Ivory Korina with Fawn Walnut.
Ad text:
Live like Lucy
(You’ll love it!)
Now… for your home, the lovely “I Love Lucy” Suite!
Here’s the beautiful fashion trend bedroom suite created especially for Lucy and Desi and their sensational television show. “I Love Lucy” — chosen for their Hollywood home too! Brought to you by thousands of fashion trend dealers coast to coast.
“We Love Fashion Trend,” says Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, stars of the fabulous “I Love Lucy” show. You, too, will love this Fashion Trend Suite for its charming style especialy created for Lucy and Desi by Edmond J. Spense for its subtle yet stunning contrast of light ivory Korina and natural walnut for the many quality features that make Fashion Trend one of the most famous names in furniture… and for the down-to-earth price that makes Fashion Trend as easy to own as it is to love. See the I Love Lucy suite at leading furniture and department stores. — Live like Lucy! Double Dresser and Bookcase Bed $198.00.
The Ricardo’s bedroom set – pair of framed ballet sketches
In the bedroom Set of “I Love Lucy” prominently displayed on the wall behind the twin beds are a pair of ballet sketches in matching frames. One of these original prop sketches turned up on eBay in 2006 and the story that was related in the auction description is an interesting one.
Original pastel drawing from I love Lucy bedroom set
Description from the auction lot: “This is an ORIGINAL set piece or prop off of the Desilu set for the I LOVE LUCY show! It has been stored for the past forty odd years — and recently found — by me because it was in my family’s storage area since the early sixties!
It is the actual pastel and ink on art paper — an original piece of artwork, not a print — AND the original frame that was used as a prop on the set of the original I LOVE LUCY show starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.” Continue reading I Love Lucy’s Bedroom Set Framed Ballet Pictures→
