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.
Sentimental Anniversary Original air date: February 1, 1954
Lucy and Ricky exchange gifts in celebration of their anniversary in the I Love Lucy episode Sentimental Anniversary. Lucy’s gift to Ricky is a set of MacGregor Golf clubs. MacGregor Golf was founded in 1897 and is the second oldest golf company in the United States after Spaulding. MacGregor clubs were used by famous 1950’s golfers like Ben Hogan and Jimmy Demaret. and many of the top PGA players.
The McGregor popular clubs in 1954 were the Tourney series of clubs (with four choices of shaft flexes), Eye-O-Matric woods, the Pro Peel steel shaft and ceramic-face irons.
MacGregor c.1954 M55W Persimmon Driver seen on eBay
The vintage MacGregor M55W Persimmon Driver pictured above is similar to one seen in Ricky’s golf bag. In real life Desi Arnaz was a keen golfer and an early member of the Rancho Mirage Thunderbird Country Club where they owned a home. Desi Arnaz, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Jack Benny, Gordon MacRae, Hoagy Carmichael, Phil Harris, and Desi Arnaz were among the first members at Thunderbird Country Club.
Note the MacGregor logo on the box in this shot from the opening scene of Sentimental AnniversaryFred and Ethel admire Ricky’s new golf clubs
Recently we looked at a similar black metal pair of owl bookends with no maker mark. Now these Owl bookends are listed on Etsy that have a Made in Austria mark on the base. They are identical to the other black ones except for the color of the marble base.
The I Love Lucy Owl Bookends were Austrian and the same shape but had a darker marble and the owls were painted brown
See it on eBay
The Austrian owl bookends above are painted brown like the pair on I Love Lucy but they dont have a marble base. We know the color of the I Love Lucy ones from an original color on-set photo.
Square Plastic Cookie Canister in I Love Lucy kitchen “Charm School” episode.
See it on eBay
This red and white Luster Ware plastic cookie canister looks like the one in Lucy’s kitchen, however the one on the show appears to have a handle on top more like the Burrite canisters in yellow pictured below.
Lustro Ware ad from 1954 5-pc Starter Set priced $9.95
See it on eBay
Burroughs Mfg., Burrite, Yellow Plastic Canisters
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.
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
The Salt box seen in the I Love Lucy kitchen was made by the same company as the ivy oil and vinegar double cruet, Olde Thompson, and has the markings on the bottom. It’s made of ceramic and is off-white/cream in color with a Rooster and floral design.
Above the salt box on the wall was a metal matchbox holder.
On eBay this week is a vintage Olde Thompson Salt Box in the Imperial Ivy design. The ivy design was also featured on the Olde Thompson cruet seen on I Love Lucy. The Ivy salt box was not seen on the show but there was an Olde Thompson salt box in the same shape on the wall near the kitchen sink.
The complete cruet set seen at an early date in the I love Lucy kitchenOlde Thompson Cruet similar to Lucy Rocardo’s on I Love Lucy matches the Salt Box
Floral Trellis Wallpaper in the Ricardo’s bedroom on I Love Lucy
If you ever wanted to create a touch of I Love Lucy style in your home this could be it! The Delphia Jasmine Trellis Floral Wallpaper by Brewster Home Fashionsavailable from Wayfair is the best match I’ve seen for the Ricardo’s bedroom wallpaper. Just one wall behind the beds was papered in this iconic floral trellis design.
Create a similar look with Delphia Jasmine Trellis Floral Wallpaper by Brewster Home Fashions
The Delphia Jasmine floral pattern is an almost exact match for the original. It is available in a four different colorways and still works today with contemporary home decor. Wayfair are selling directly on eBay. CLICK HERE to see it on eBay.
Lucy and Ricky exchange gifts in celebration of their anniversary in the I Love Lucy episode Sentimental Anniversary. Lucy’s gift to Ricky is a set of 
The 
See it on eBay
See it on eBay
See it on eBay
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.
It is available in a four different colorways and still works today with contemporary home decor. Wayfair are selling directly on eBay. 
