Cook nostalgia in your kitchen

With two of the biggest films playing in theatres right now (Valkyrie and Milk), giving moviegoers a taste of period cinema, iTALK helps you take your kitchen style back in time... Because fuddy-duddy is oh-so-cool right now

Drink to a memory
Coca Cola's website, lets you download these "heritage" posters for free. If you have a printer handy, you can print a couple of these artworks on A4 paper and frame them. Alternately, a studio will download and print these for you on photo paper.u00a0
How much: 24" x 36" paper for Rs 1,200. They can even print on canvas sheets sized 24" x 36" for Rs 6,000.
Where: Log onto Thecoca-colacompany.com. Or, contact Fotoklik, Link Corner Mall, Linking Road, Khar (W). Call: 9820618450

Retro storage
Cane baskets like these can be dressed up with less than a metre of printed cotton cloth for a retro storage option.
How much: Rs 350 to Rs 1,250 for baskets; fabric for Rs 60 a metre.
Where: Baskets at The House of Cane, 524 Gate No. 9, inside Crawford Market, near Sadanand Hotel.
Call: 9819331853
Cloth at Mustafa Traders, 351 Sheikh Memon Street, near Juma Masjid.
Call: 23424691 / 23455017

Illustrated to wipe you out
We are proud of this find, especially because we stumbled on this retro-print napkin / dishcloth, at the most unassuming little store.
How much: Rs 25.
Where: Mustafa Traders, 351 Sheikh Memon Street, near Juma Masjid, opposite Mangaldas Market.
Call: 23424691 / 23455017

Hang a dish
The intricate designs on these genuine antiques from China and Holland evidence the craftsmanship of yesteryears. Mount it on a wall for that old-world-appeal.
How much: Rs 2,000 onwards (depending on size, workmanship and rarity).
Where: Periodic Collections, 12, Mutton Street.
Call: 23428555 / 9821089479

Coffee, tea or me?
Nothing says retro like a floral-printed or red chequered apron. These are available in full length, plastic-lined versions like the one in the picture and in tie-up-skirt varieties.u00a0
How much: Rs 45 to Rs 80.
Where: Mustafa Traders, 351 Sheikh Memon Street, near Juma Masjid. Call: 23424691 / 23455017

Lay out the 50s
A simple, chequered tablecloth in the colour of your choice (though red or yellow are ideal) is a simple and inexpensive way to recreate the 1950s.
How much: A metre of chequered cotton fabric costs Rs 60 to Rs 80. Laminated
versions that area easy to wipe are available at same price.
Where: Classic Choice, 4/B, next to Dubash Market and Rajdhani Hotel, 369 Sheikh Memon Street.
Call: 23413901 / 9224384545

Butter up
This Bohemian glass, antique butter dish is the perfect accessory to lend your kitchen a retro look.
How much: Rs 5,000.
Where: Vintage Collection, 6 Mutton Street. Call: 0-9339271656

Doorway to the past
Hand-painted porcelain doorknobs or cabinet handles and coloured glass doorknobs don't cost a fortune, and can be used on just a few of your kitchen cabinets to create a look that was popular in the 1960s.
How much: Rs 400 for 4-piece set.
Where: Fine Art, Shop No. 23, Mutton Street.

Were characterised by ice cream colours like bubblegum pink and pistachio

>>Vivid-coloured laminates can be used to quickly transform your existing cabinet fascia. Alternately, wood cabinets can be stripped and painted with a polyurethane (PU) coating or even stained in a natural wood colour.
>>Introduce a splash of primary colour by spray painting the kitchen door or one wall in a Dayglo lime green, yellow, bubblegum pink.
>>Cabinets and doors can be instantly rejuvenated by adding coloured glass knobs.
>>Add a dramatic 50s detail to your floor by using linoleum tiles or wood planks.
>>Choose a bold or high contrast pattern reminiscent of the era. Colour combinations like red-and-white, yellow-and-white or the ubiquitous black-and-white checkerboard floor that characterised the 50's diner, create impact and energy.
>>Cover your kitchen countertops with a solid or patterned laminate. They come in a variety of colours and patterns, and are available at most major wood suppliers. The cost is significantly lower than its counterparts like wood veneer and granite.
>>Fill the room with little pieces of nostalgia like a large-faced wall clock, colourful plastic sugar tins, illustrated posters, jadeite cookie jars or salt-and-pepper shakers.
>>Most kitchenware companies such as Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach and Phillips have "retro-like" range of appliances in glossy cherry red, flamingo pink, black and chrome. Appliance stores like Vijay Sales and Sony carry a selection of these lines.
>>Include vintage-inspired elements such as mix-and-match coloured glasses, individual solid-coloured crockery and embroidered table linens (retro linens had embroidered fruits, flowers vegetables on them).

Deepa Massand, Architect suggests easy ways to give your kitchen a retro makeover
"The 50s colour palette was characterised by ice cream colours like pistachio, bubblegum pink and neon hues like cherry red and sunny yellow. New materials like polished chrome, shiny vinyl, rubber and fibreglass were introduced into home furnishings. A retro vibe can be easily and affordably created by altering key elements such as wall colour, flooring, countertops, cabinets, furniture
and accessories."