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Take a look at this fantastic booklet! Its called “Ideas to Help you Live Better… Electrically.”

The goal of this publication was to convince people living in the 1960s that the only thing they needed to have a happy life was more electrical gadgets and plenty of outlets to plug them into.

It’s no surprise that they were pushing the joys of electricity, since this particular booklet was handed out by the Public Utility Commission of Stratford Ontario.

Although calling this publication a booklet is a heck of an understatement, since the thing is 70 pages long! It’s not the length of that sets it apart. Nearly each page is full of beautiful artist renderings and paintings, done during the height of mid-century design. Each one takes my breath away and is suitable for framing as far as I’m concerned.

I didn’t see a credit for the artist anywhere, which is a shame. I would have liked to be able to contact him or her and tell them how much I appreciate their work, decades after it was completed.

Well, at least I can share some of it with you.

They split up the pamphlet into six sections: your kitchen, your living-dining room, your sleeping area, your service areas, your special areas and finally your indoor-outdoor area.

I wish I could show you every painting, but there are just too many of them. Instead I will share with you my favorites from each room and include some comments and insights. Even then there will be too much to see for one outing, so I’ll do separate articles for each section and post one every few days.

So let’s not waste any more time and start with the kitchen!

Isn’t this refrigerator beautiful? The rounded top sings mid-century. It’s such a lovely shade of blue and it’s great that the cabinets match. Why can’t we get refrigerators in colors like this today? I love how the booklet suggests that you place your fridge close to the outside door where deliveries are made. This makes sense since you don’t want to waste time putting your food away when you get back from the store.

This drawing is of the dishwashing and waste disposing center. They suggested place this area conveniently between cooking and food storage areas, a.k.a. the stove and the fridge. Even back then they anticipated we would have a dishwasher and a garbage disposal. I had a garbage disposal once in the 80s, but not since. They seem to have fallen out of favor.

Here they offer various shapes for your kitchen. A wall shape where the stove, sink and fridge are all in a straight line. There’s also an L shape when you have two adjoining walls and a U-shape which gives you plenty of counter space and saves you steps.

This is their version of a partially open floor plan, with a wall halfway between the kitchen and the dining area. The wall has a hole in the middle so you could pass food through.

This concept is really neat. Basically, they’ve put a glass wall and counter between the inside and outside. This means the kitchen is accessible from a patio.

Here are some handy suggestions for all your electric appliances. Shelves within reach of a snack bar to hold everything.

And here is a kitchen wiring center with pull out extension cords, along with plenty of outlets to give you ample current. It’s supposed to slide back conveniently into its own recess when not being used. I never had that, but I kind of wish I did.

Now this is really and literally cool. It’s a refrigerator that is mounted to a wall, so you would have extra counter and cabinet space underneath. The pamphlet claims it lets you see everything at a glance because the fridge is set at the right height for you. Wow! I never saw one in real life, but it’s a great idea.

They call this a Unit kitchen, which combines all four major work centers in one space. You would have your washer-dryer, sink, automatic dishwasher and range under one counter. They claim it’s a good idea for kitchens with limited space. I agree.

Next they give some various lighting suggestions for the kitchen, including fluorescent options and a variety of incandescent fixtures.

They also suggest a space saving idea. Build a clock into the wall! I wonder how you were supposed to change the batteries or set the time. Details, details. They also recommend you have an electric timer and a small radio.

Earlier I showed you the picture of a semi-open floor plan, where they cut a hole in the wall to slide through food between the kitchen and the dining area. Wouldn’t it be nice if that pass-through had its own light? This pamphlet says yes.

Of course in a mid-century home, wireless communications were the stuff of science fiction. So, why not set up a special area just for your rotary phone, where you would have a small desk, a pen and a pad to write notes on, along with its own light beaming down to illuminate the whole thing. Beautiful.

Finally, they suggest you have a convenient outlet for every appliance you own, or could possibly want in the future. Then you would be certain to get the most out of your electrical helpers.

Of course, I’ve never lived in a house that had enough wall outlets. I guess that’s why this booklet is a bit of a fantasy.

Well that’s it for the kitchen. My next post will focus on the living and dining rooms, so be sure to stay tuned to learn how to “Live Better Electrically.” Another example of Glorious Vintage Stuff!