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.
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.