This vintage sofa slipcover has a medallion pattern that reminds me somewhat of the sofa in the early episodes of I Love Lucy.
Mid Century Sofa Slipcover
Category Archives: 1950s Furniture
1950’s Tripod Lamp
I dont have an exact match yet for the Ricardo’s bedside tripod lamps but similar atomic style tripod cylinder lamps can be found online to create a similar look. Below is an example of a mid century tripod lamp with fibreglass shade on eBay this week:
I Love Lucy Bedroom: Johnson Carper Chest of Drawers
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.
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.
I Love Lucy Bedroom: Master Lineoleum
The 1953 I Love Lucy Master Lineoleum Ad gives us another impression of the Ricardo’s bedroom furniture.
The Ricardo’s Bedroom Furniture: Digital Decor Experiment
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..
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.
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.
Lucy Ricardo’s Fruit Stand
A 2-tier bowl stand with spindle legs can be seen on I Love Lucy in the Ricardo’s living room. Here is a picture of one just like it.
This 33″ tall colonial tiered bowl style stand or dumb waiter with spindle legs was found at the Rose Bowl Flea Market with no maker mark. There is a long metal bolt down the center with a brass handle on top. The bowls are solid carved/turned wood the widest bowl is 16″ diameter.
Lucy used hers as a fruit stand but in the past this type of bowl stand was also used as a knitting yarn holder. A single bowl on a stand was used as a dough bowl in colonial times.
I have been looking at vintage turned wood bowls on eBay to identify possible sources – Woodcroftery made bowls that look very similar – if anyone knows the make or has a similar one please leave a comment.
A patent for a single tier stand was filed in 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DESIGN FOR A KNITTING 0R SEWING BOWL William James Hamilton, Jr., Westfield, N. J. Application February 17, 1940, Serial No. 90,339 .
For a DIY option I think a custom wood turner could easily make the stand sections – and make the center hole in two vintage wood bowls (bowl sizes are 16″ and 11″) the center bolt and finial is easily sourced – e.g. lamp making supplies
This is a knitting stand with one bowl seen on eBay
Little Ricky’s Cosco “Feed-N-Play” Table
In the I Love Lucy episode “The Sublease” Little Ricky’s play table is among the items Lucy has to store at Fred and Ethel’s apartment. Little Ricky uses a state of the art 1950’s folding metal baby seat – a Cosco Feed-N-Play Table.There are a couple of them on eBay this week. Pictured below is one example. Click HERE to see the listing.
Anchor Andirons
In a 1954 Newsreel Lucy and Desi introduce their two children, and urge viewers to contribute to a campaign by the March of Dimes to raise money for the testing of the polio vaccine.
These brass anchor andirons look similar to the pair seen in the publicity photo and video.
The mark “Rostand” Milford.Conn. is seen on similar ones online.
Continue reading Anchor Andirons
Site Updates 1-28-2015
Patent information and maker name added to the post about the Ricardo’s drop-leaf hi-lo coffee table:
http://www.50slucy.com/i-love-lucy-convertable-coffee-table.html
I Love Lucy’s Mersman Hi-Lo Coffee Table
On eBay this week is a Mersman Tables Hi-lo convertible coffee table similar to the one on I love Lucy. 
It appears to be walnut wood and identical in style and construction to the one on the show. It can be adjusted in height and the leaves opened for use as dining or card table just like the one seen on the show. It has a product number 1402S pictured in the listing. See pictures below from the seller’s listing or Click here to view full details on eBay
Alternative Listing for this table: CLICK HERE See this table on Etsy (US)
Measurements:
Lowered 15.75″ high
Raised 26 2/3″ high
Top:
Leaves Down 36″ x 20″
Leaves Up 36″ x 36 1/4″
Inventor of the spring and hinge mechanism:
Boris Hoppe
Patented Mar. 6, 1951
US2544229
Patented Mar. 6, 1951
US2544229