Tag Archives: retro kitchen

Holt Howard Cozy Kittens Collector’s Guide

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If you adore mid-century charm, playful kitchenware, and just a dash of feline mischief, the Holt Howard Cozy Kittens are about to steal your heart. In fact, these whimsical pieces have become some of the most beloved vintage collectibles from the 1950s.

The Holt Howard Cozy Kittens, also known as Cozy Kitchen Kitties, are among the most beloved vintage cat collectibles from the 1950s. Introduced in 1958 by Holt-Howard, these wide-eyed kittens transformed everyday kitchen items into whimsical works of art.

And today?

They’re highly collectible, surprisingly diverse… and in some cases, quite valuable.

What Are Holt Howard Cozy Kittens?

Holt Howard Cozy Kittens are a line of ceramic kitchen collectibles made in Japan during the late 1950s.

They’re known for:

  • Big expressive kitten faces
  • Hand-painted details
  • Playful mid-century colors (greens, blacks, polka dots, plaids)
  • Functional kitchen forms (jars, shakers, dishes)

These weren’t just decorations, they were meant to be used, which is exactly why finding them in excellent condition today is so exciting (and rare).

Complete List of Holt-Howard Cozy Kitten Pieces

Collectors often ask: “How many Cozy Kitten pieces are there?”

While no official master list exists, here’s a collector-backed guide to the most commonly known pieces:

Shop Cozy Kitten Pieces from My Collection:

Pixieware Condiment Jars (Most Collectible)

Holt-Howard Cozy Kitten Pixieware condiment jars with spoons 1958 Japan
Rare Holt Howard Cozy Kittens Pixieware Jars
Holt-Howard Cozy Kitten Pixieware Ketchup Condiment Jar 1958 Jaoan
Holt Howard Cozy Kitten Pixieware Ketchup Condiment Jar 1958 Jaoan

These are the stars of the show. In particular, the Pixieware jars are among the most sought-after pieces in the entire collection.

Featuring the iconic Spoofy Spoon lid, these jars allow serving without removing the lid—pure mid-century genius.

If you love these, you’ll also want to explore my full guide to Holt-Howard Pixieware jars

Continue reading →

Egg Warmers, Retro Aprons and Vintage Kitschy Kitchen Linens 1940s-1960s

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I so enjoy the appeal of a retro kitchen and retro aprons and linens. Retro is so colorful and cheerful! Retro encompasses lots of Anthropomorphic elements from vintage Anthropomorphic salt and pepper shakers, Anthropomorphic fruit and veggies embroidered onto tea towels, dish towels and aprons and even Anthropomorphic chalkware wall plaques. EllynAnne Geisel has a couple great books out that bring the love of retro and vintage kitchen linens and aprons to the forefront of today and her website has so many neat downloadable “how to” like making these fabulously neat Original Egg Warmer Designs. Visit here for directions for this fun project! Make the POLKADOT EGG WARMER, APRON EGG WARMER, EGG WARMER APRON, EGG WARMER DRESS.

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Lustro Ware for Your Retro Kitchen

			
						

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My latest fascination is all about the colorful hard plastic kitchenware known as Lustro Ware. Just yesterday I was at Antique Society (a local multi-dealer antique mall in Sebastopol, CA) and came across a very bright yellow Lustro Ware cookie jar and a pair of bright red salt and pepper shakers and just ‘had’ to have them. I see lots of ‘retro’ kitchens decorated with collections of this bright and colorful hard plastic from yesteryear, and I set out to learn more.


The ‘Columbus Plastics Company’ was launched back in very late1939 by Gebhard W. Keny and W.J. Braley. Some 5-6 years later in around 1946 they changed their company name to ‘Lustro Ware’ and were producing some 300+ items for the home and kitchen with the ‘patent pend’ stamp under the division of the ‘Columbus Plastic Products Division of The Borden Chemical Company’ with a trademark filed sometime in 1950.








Today, Lustro Ware is very collectible and you can find all kinds of items in many colors from yellow, red, pink, green, blue and more in the form of salt and pepper shakers, to bread boxes, plates, canisters, cookie jars, trash cans, utensil holders, trays, measuring cups and spoons, juice reamers, spice racks and spice holders, recipe boxes and so much more.


Items today (2013) that are currently ‘hot’ are the spice racks and holders (Vintage Aunt Jemima especially for a complete set) with prices $200+, shakers sets $25-$50 and canister sets $250+.  Be careful with the Aunt Jemima sets as many are marked ‘F&F Mold and Die Company’ and not ‘Lustro Ware’.






Finding Lustro ware items with the letters in tact and no scuffmarks can be challenging. Do you collect Lustro ware? I would love to hear about your collection, please email me via my ‘contact’ page.