Before open-concept kitchens and smart appliances took over, American homes were filled with objects that were unapologetically bold, colorful, and built to last. The 50s and 60s had a design language all their own — and some of it is worth serious money today.
The Classic Rotary Dial Telephone
You’ve probably seen one hanging on a diner wall or in a grandparent’s hallway — that heavy black handset, the satisfying click-click-click of the dial spinning back. Rotary phones were standard issue in American homes from the late 40s through the 70s, and they were built like tanks. Western Electric made millions of them. A basic black model in working condition fetches $30–$60 today. Colored models — especially pink or turquoise — can hit $150 or more.
Collectors specifically hunt for two-tone models and wall-mounted versions. A working pink Western Electric 500 in original condition recently sold for $175 on eBay — not bad for something that spent decades in a junk drawer.
The Beloved Sunbeam Mixmaster Mixer
The Sunbeam Mixmaster was the KitchenAid of its era — every serious home cook either owned one or wanted one. Introduced in 1930 but hitting peak popularity in the 50s, it came with a dozen attachments and a chrome finish that stayed shiny for decades. These mixers were handed down like heirlooms. Many still run perfectly today, which is more than you can say for some modern appliances. A clean, working Mixmaster in original chrome sells for $45–$120 at antique shops.
Replacement bowls and beaters are still manufactured, meaning a 60-year-old Mixmaster can be fully restored to working order. Some bakers swear the old motor runs smoother than anything made today.
Avocado Green Appliances in Kitchens
Someone in the late 50s looked at a color wheel, pointed at avocado green, and said: put it on everything. Refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, blenders — if it plugged in, it came in avocado. The shade was so dominant that appliance manufacturers offered it as a standard option well into the 70s. Here’s the twist: avocado green appliances are genuinely collectible now. A vintage avocado Westinghouse refrigerator in working condition can bring $400–$800 from mid-century modern enthusiasts who want the full period-accurate kitchen.
Restoration Hardware and several boutique appliance brands have released modern appliances in ‘retro green’ colorways — a direct nod to the avocado era. What was once a punchline is now a design statement.