Funky Plastics Designs To Remember

Funky Plastic Tulip Coasters at RetroChalet on Etsy.

FUNKY DESIGN. 

Perhaps the best part about plastics is the fact that in the past, manufacturers really went all out on trying to have the best, craziest , newest ideas, and in some cases, overall funky design.  Needless to say, some items were loved by the public and some were a huge flop. Over the top plastic designs are now either coveted into museums for design or used by collectors who want that retro home. Here are a few of the tackiest finds from the past. It's amazing some of these items featured here today even survived. Most makes you wonder, what were they thinking?  

The funky coasters above, surely fit snug on the bottom of a can, but are meant to be some form of coaster for tables. They are hard plastic and brittle feeling, it's amazing these tulip like art forms survived today!
 

Funky Plastic Purse from SequinKittenVintage on Etsy

CHEAPLY CHIC. 

Funky plastic purses are still a hit. Most  a sure remembered novelty of the past.  Lucite is big among collectors, but for those who can't afford those high end designs, could settle for a funkified retro purse like these.  Many produced in Hong Kong, Taiwan and even China, provided kids a fun dress up purse at a low cost. These were big as toys in the 60's through the 80's.  Today these would be hazard to children due to the tiny plastic  "dots" which were often glued on!

Vintage Pickle offers these fun plastic drapes !

CRAZY LAZY. 

Some things just make you wonder what was the designer or company thinking? Ever wonder how retro diva's of the 60's stayed dressed so nice? Because obviously this was a short cut to having to clean and launder their curtains, go with plastic and wipe 'em off. This item was either coveted among housewives who never gave up the secret to being nifty; or flopped horribly. Either way, it's amazing that this Etsy seller has found a set unused in the original package!

Stonesoupology on Etsy has this great lime lucite trivet for sale!

LOVE OR HATE?

The designs of yesterday were either loved or hated. I personally LOVE these sliced lemons, limes, and orange trivets you see made of lucite. They are getting harder to find and made of lucite encassing tiny plastic particles on the inside. They look eerily real and can really dress up a vintage kitchen.  I'm sure when these came out, housewives either adored or hated them. There is no in between.

Find this cool Plastic Kleenex holder at Etsy shop MEZZOATTREZZO

WORK OF ART OR BETTER LEFT IN THE PAST?

Quite possibly the finishing touch in the bathroom makes for this vintage Syrocco plastic gaudy kleenex holder. You know, because back the plastic Kleenex holders were a must have to hold your hankies.  Today, looking at this gaudy molded objects makes you wonder, is it a design relic or quite honestly should be left in the past? That's for you to decide!

What was your favorite tacky design growing up? Tell me!

Celebration Time!

THANK YOU FOR OVER 226,000 views here on Melmac Central. When I first started this blog it was simply because of a love of plastic, and something to pass the time. Over the past two and a half years, I've tried to update it with helpful free information about the plastics from your granny's house.  I'm glad you are reading it.  Although I use RetroChalet.blogpsot.com, the website Melmac Central does cost money, and for that I'm thankful to my ever so grateful sponsors! Make sure to visit them all, because without them you wouldn't be reading all of this for free!