The Fiesta dinnerware was introduced by the Homer Laughlin China Co. in 1936. It brightened the Depression-era homes until 1972 when the production of the line was stopped. The colorful, glazing and sleek Art Deco style made Vintage Fiestaware highly demanded by collectors. The company re-launched the range in 1986. The new line was microwaveable, ovenproof, and dishwasher-safe, unlike vintage Fiesta dinnerware. There are certain things you should know in order to distinguish vintage from contemporary Fiesta dinnerware in order to make an informed purchase.
Identifying Vintage Fiesta
Fiesta dinnerware has concentric rings, which widen towards the rim. The joints of the handles have subtle ornamentation. The items with pedestal base like the onion soup bowls have the iconic rings of this range. Dishes and bowls are typically round or oval and the hollow-ware like the marmalade jars are globe-shaped. Vintage dishware of this range display uneven glazing but the newer pieces have consistent finishes.
Contemporary vs. Vintage
There are certain differences between the contemporary and vintage Fiesta dinnerware. Anything that was made between 1936 and 1972 falls in the vintage category. There are guidebooks available if you need help in identifying original Fiesta. For instance, the vintage teapots used to have flat lids but the modern teapots have bubble lids. You will see full-circle handles in vintage teacups but the contemporary teacups have partial-circle handles. While buying, the customer must check the characteristics of each piece individually, since the company modifies designs regularly leading to quite a few variations.
Fiesta backstamps
Many Fiesta items are stamped with a certain combination of “Made in the USA” and “Fiesta, HLC”. The company also added “Genuine” in the late 1930s. While many items had molded stamps, some others lack them due to design limitations. A Fiesta guidebook is the best thing to confirm the authenticity of an item. After 1986, Fiesta dinnerware has a small “H” on the underside. The new bowls and places have an ink stamp.
Vintage Fiesta colors
Fiesta dinnerware was originally available mainly in five colors – green, old ivory, red, yellow, and cobalt blue. Then in 1937, turquoise was introduced. The single-glazing process modernized the manufacturing process and also helped to cut costs.
Radioactive Red
The original red, also called “radioactive red” got its color mainly due to the presence of minor uranium oxide in the glaze. The uranium glazing was halted as the country decided to take part in the World War II. It was in 1959 when the company decided to revive the radioactive red pieces but this time it used depleted uranium oxide. The Bionucleonics Department of Purdue University measured the radiation levels of the dishware line and confirmed that it was within the safety range.
Color history
Red, turquoise, and yellow among the original colors of Fiestaware survived till the late 1960s. In 1951, old ivory, green, and blue gave passage to soft pastels. In 1959, an uncommon variation was introduced, which was medium green. It was turf green and antique gold that closed out the vintage years of Fiesta. Contemporary Fiesta colors are quite similar to the vintage colors. Hence, interested people should look at authoritative pictures to confirm the authenticity.
Rare Fiestaware
Fiesta kept staples like disc pitchers, plates, and bowls but discontinued or redesigned other pieces. The year 1936 saw the release of 34 items, including compotes, covered casseroles, and sugar bowls. Homer Laughlin modified its original items thereby making Fiesta’s freshman class heavily enviable among collectors. People must buy items with lids because it is quite difficult to find singleton lids.
Rare Colors
The medium green pieces were manufactured between 1959 and 1969. It can be difficult to tell the difference between all the greens. Some compare the medium green to John Deere green. The 2-quart disc pitcher in medium green is a rare collectible. Other rare items include onion soup bowls in turquoise that were manufactured only for a few weeks and discontinued in the late 1930s. The old ivory colored onion soup bowls with red stripes are also rare.
A clean home helps enhance home aesthetics and is synonymous with physical and mental well-being. Studies have found associations between clutter-free homes and increased happiness and confidence. Moreover, cleanliness prevents respiratory conditions and reduces the prevalence of allergic reactions. Facilitating cleanliness at home is no rocket science—all one needs is some patience and certain tried and tested home-cleaning hacks. So, this article provides an insight into some home-cleaning secrets that professionals rely on.
Start cleaning from the ceiling
Experts believe that cleaning from the top helps establish an efficient cleaning process and reduces effort. This is because the dust suspended from the ceiling and objects situated on or close to it, such as chandeliers, ceiling fans, the roofs of cupboards, attics, etc., fall to the ground, requiring one to clean the floor to dispose of this dust. Thus, cleaning the floor at the end ensures that no surfaces have to be cleaned more than once.
Use natural products
Although store-bought cleaning products can and should be used while cleaning the home, several household items also make for excellent cleaning solutions. For example, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar is recommended for cleaning hard stains on various surfaces, including the sink and floor. Similarly, citrus fruits like orange and lime are natural cleaning agents that can be used to clean cutlery, bathroom surfaces, and other home surfaces.
Use the dishwasher to clean various objects
The dishwasher is indeed a wonder home appliance that not only cleans utensils but a host of other household items, including toothbrush organizers, stove burner liners, refrigerator shelves, gardening products, and practically any other product made of glass, ceramic, or metal. Thus, using the dishwasher to clean your household products can save considerable time and energy while ensuring a spick-and-span home.
Avoid mixing vinegar and bleach
Although vinegar and bleach are effective cleaning solutions when used individually, blending the two products releases a poisonous chlorine gas, which can be dangerous if inhaled. Therefore, these cleaning products should be used separately while cleaning the home.
Dust the rooms before vacuuming
It is a good practice to dust the rooms, including shelves, walls, showpieces, and furniture, before vacuuming these surfaces. Starting your cleaning process with dusting ensures that the dust particles that are released into the air while dusting can be absorbed by the vacuum cleaner. In contrast, dusting after vacuuming leaves these dust particles suspended in the air, which can cause allergies and accumulation of dust on surfaces.
Sanitize the sink
Research conducted by the Global Hygiene Council suggests that kitchen sinks comprise over 17,000 bacteria per inch, while the kitchen tap handles contain 13,000 bacteria. Hence, it is crucial to clean and sanitize the sink regularly to prevent bacterial infections and diseases. For optimal sanitization of the sink, experts advise filling the sink with warm water, adding a tablespoon of bleach to it, and allowing this solution to rest in the sink for at least five minutes. One can also dip a sponge in this solution and use it to clean the kitchen tap and faucet.
Clean or replace your sponge regularly
It is advisable to replace the kitchen sponge frequently, typically once every two weeks. However, the same sponge may be used for longer periods if cleaned thoroughly. Kitchen sponges must be soaked in a diluted bleach solution for five minutes and then rinsed for best results.
Descale the coffee maker
Descaling the coffee maker is an integral routine process to ensure hygiene. Descaling essentially removes limescale, which often gets accumulated in coffee makers due to calcium, magnesium, and other minerals being deposited by water. One may purchase specialized descaling tablets to descale coffee makers or simply use vinegar for this process.
Start by clearing the clutter
A cluttered room cannot be cleaned, no matter what cleaning products and strategies are used. Therefore, the first step to effective home cleaning is to clear all the clutter, checking every room, including the spaces beneath couches and beds. Another integral aspect of decluttering is to dispose of the items that one does not require.
Invest in microfiber cloths
Microfiber cloths can be one’s best cleaning companions as these are excellent absorbents. These can be used to remove organic matter, such as grease and dirt, as well as germs and bacteria from surfaces. Moreover, they reduce one’s cleaning effort considerably and require minimal wiping. Hence, it helps to collect sufficient microfiber cloths for home cleaning.
Avoid cleaning one room a day
Many homeowners often clean one room a day, owing to the exertion involved in cleaning all rooms on the same day. However, cleaning one room a day often makes cleaning an endless process extended over days on end. In contrast, cleaning the entire home within a day or two can help wrap up the activity efficiently. To avoid exertion, families can plan cleaning as a group activity, wherein each person takes charge of cleaning one room. Such activities increase family bonding time while alleviating the boredom involved in home cleaning.
Consolidate all the cleaning tools
An essential aspect of home cleaning is gathering all the necessary cleaning materials and tools. Having your cleaning equipment scattered can increase confusion and increase the cleaning time. It helps to consolidate all of one’s cleaning tools in a bucket or tub, as it can help speed up cleaning and facilitate more organized cleaning activities.
Furniture plays a major role in a home. All of us wish to have good quality furniture. Apart from that, it must match up with our home decor. RV Furniture offers great quality furnishings which provides customized special items like tables, chairs, and other furniture items. A variety of products are manufactured by RV Furniture with skilled workmanship. You can completely enjoy the quality of furniture by RV for a long period of time. From modern-day and classic styles, RV Furniture helps users to choose the correct pieces. A number of designs are available which can give you a comfortable feel in your home.
Let us look at some pieces of RV Furniture in detail:
Classic RV Table
This classic table is best quality furniture which you can purchase at around $330. You can easily assemble this table at your home as holes are pre-drilled as well as lined up. The component part comes up with rubber feet attached. The size of Classic RV Table is 27W X 36L X 30H and you can expand it up to 48L. This piece is made with solid hardwood and can be customized according to the ordered size. The styling of this table is amazing and the finishing is beautiful. It is a popular table design by RV Furniture. The best feature is that it can be expanded according to your space.
Slab Table with Trestle Base
Fill the empty space or a corner with the Slab Table with Trestle Base. The price of this table is approximately $229.00. Size of Slab Table with Trestle Base is 26W X 43L X 30H. It is an efficient table which helps you to utilize space in a better way. Solid hardwoods are used in this piece which makes it solid and long-lasting.
Contemporary Mini-Up Coffee Table
Mini Coffee tables look beautiful when you put them in the middle or any corner of the room. The size of this table is 21W X 26L X 16H. Also, you can extend the height of the Contemporary Mini-Up Coffee Table to 26 1/4″. You can purchase this coffee table by spending roughly $248.00. This table is very useful when you have to serve snacks on the couch or you have to entertain guests. You can put this table in any place. It is adjustable hence you can put it over the bed, couch or any other location. This table is made on order with solid hardwood according to your preferred size.
Classic Pie End Table
Classic Pie End Table is built with solid hardwoods. The market price of this table is around $109.50. Size of this table is 16W X 20L X 16H. The sturdy construction of this table assure the users of years of utility. It is designed in such a way that it can fit in between two tips at any angle. You can put this table on one side to keep your regular things closer. This small table does not take up a lot of space. If you want a small table for your room then this is the best deal.
Classic Folding Dinette Chair
The price of the Classic Folding Dinette Chair is approximately $134.40. Its size is 19H X 16D X 16W. You can easily store this chair anywhere. The cushioned seat is completely comfortable. The collapsed size of this chair is 8 ½”. Modern-day dinette chairs are found in different shapes and frequently they are slim. Classic Folding Dinette Chair makes a place immediately feel more stylish. Dining rooms become beautiful with these chairs. The chairs can fit in a small space too. Just like an ordinary chair, these chairs are made of solid wood. Also, you can customize the size of the chair according to your space. Various shapes and designs are offered by RV Furniture.