Color in the 50s was inspired by the scientific age that produced the splitting of the atom. Colors like chartreuse and flame red were often chosen for the popular molecule motif and used on everything from textiles to ceramic tiles. After the enforced drabness or wartime, the 50s signaled the beginning of color invading the home and women were encouraged to consider decoration as beneficial to their well-being. Never mind if their inspiration came from atomic annihilation. Bright pink washing machines beckoned housewives, blue-green poodles adorned everything from ashtrays to circle skirts. Sea-foam green walls entertained pink and turquoise curtains with bacteria-like designs. Red fiberglass lamp shades rested atop a salmon-pink ballerinas perched on a blond wood kidney-shaped tables.
Painting the walls was an inexpensive way to transform any kitchen. New polyvinyl acetate emulsions came in a range of colors with mouth-watering names such as Lemon Peel, Green Olive, Cantaloupe, Mocha and Aubergine.
Check out these atomic age color schemes at www.Kuler.Adobe.com










