Sunday, March 30, 2008

Kitsch














Kitsch: Prounounced "kich"
Function: NOUN - remember, the teacher taught us a noun is a person, place or thing....
Etymology: German
Date: 1925

Definition:

1 : something that appeals to popular or lowbrow taste and is often of poor quality
2 : a tacky or lowbrow quality or condition

aka: Kitschy, which is an adjective.

Hmmmm...ok, I admit, I am a bit confused, dazed, perplexed. Reason? Well, I have been loving
"Vintage Kitsch" things for many years and have been proudly collecting and displaying them in my home because I LOVE the sweetness of the pieces. Little did I know that Kitsch refers to things in poor quality, tacky or lowbrow. Lowbrow? What is that? It sounds rather nasty to me...lowbrow. Ok, get my mind out of the gutter on that one.

I don't care what the definition truly is. I love Kitsch! Tacky, blase, imperfect.... Bring it on!!!! The cuter, the better. They are little pieces that bring a smile to my face! A tacky and imperfect smile at best!!
For a little "vintage" thinking...check out Laura's post on Card Tables. I had to share this with you, if you haven't read it already, because it really tickled my funny bone...well, all of them! Laura has a keen sense of humor and her posts are very amusing, to say the least!!
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36 comments:

  1. RosemaryMarch 30, 2008 at 8:09 PM

    Cute stuff!!
    Thanks for sharing,
    Rosemary

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  2. BettyMarch 30, 2008 at 9:16 PM

    Oh crap! I love kitsch too! I guess that makes me a lowbrow. Eyiyiyi!

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  3. PamKittyMorningMarch 30, 2008 at 10:46 PM

    You're killing me with the cute stuff. I've been driving myself crazy trying to find a basket like the one you're pretty geraniums are in and now I'm going to have to start finding some cute salt and pepper shakers. I have the squirrel with the cornicopia in pink.

    Everything is so cute!

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  4. SalMarch 31, 2008 at 4:30 AM

    I love kitsch too..!Your pics are so fab..thanks;-)Sal

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  5. JanetMarch 31, 2008 at 5:42 AM

    Becky,
    Well I just love your style, lowbrow, tacky, poor quality and all :>)

    Janet

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  6. NancyMarch 31, 2008 at 5:53 AM

    Hi Becky! Don't you just love kitsch? I think it creates such a happy and cozy feeling like the days when people were not afraid to add a little "dime store" to their homes. I also love your vintage textiles in a previous post!

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  7. FeenwerkstattMarch 31, 2008 at 6:44 AM

    Oh, I was very surprised to read the word "Kitsch"!!!!
    At first I thought I was accidentally stumbeld in a german blog ;0)))

    And I have to say: I love Kitsch!!!

    Love, Anja :0)

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  8. Vintage Linen TreasuresMarch 31, 2008 at 7:20 AM

    Hi Becky!
    How do you do it? Everything you have always looks to chic and well put together. Your display of kitsch does not match the official definition of the word. I think everything looks FABULOUS! Why don't we redefine kitsch?
    Kitsch: vintage, cute, whimsical, and makes us smile.
    Patricia :o)

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  9. Mrs. Cherry HeartMarch 31, 2008 at 8:27 AM

    I am loving it!!!
    So much cute stuff!

    Hugz,
    Dolly

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  10. AnonymousMarch 31, 2008 at 8:28 AM

    Well count me in cuz I love kitsch too. Oh what the heck do they know??? I've been known to be tacky once in awhile so ya, bring it on!! I love all your cute kitsch. Give Doogs a kiss for me. Jackson says hi.

    Hugs,
    LeAnn :)

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  11. Heidi AnnMarch 31, 2008 at 9:27 AM

    Great stuff, great pics. I am with you, Becky. Kitsch is kooky and"Kool"!!!

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  12. Sinta ReneeMarch 31, 2008 at 9:37 AM

    Love your photos! Thanks for letting us peek. I am already trying to bid on plaid luchboxes on ebay... now I will have to be on the look out for cute salt and pepper shakers too!(did the other puppy get adopted by your son?)

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  13. Miss JeanMarch 31, 2008 at 10:22 AM

    Yea, Kitch!!!! Kitch to me is anything that has been loved and treasured. I'll bring out the card table and put on my scotty dog embroidered kitchy tablecloth and we'll do lunch next time you visit!

    See you later, my kitchy friend!

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  14. SusieMarch 31, 2008 at 10:37 AM

    Hi Becky,
    I always enjoy seeing all the cute things you display. Grandma used to call them knick nacks..(and she had loads!!)
    I also loved seeing all your vintage linens. You showed so many cute ways to display and use them.
    Always a delight to visit here!
    xo

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  15. UnknownMarch 31, 2008 at 10:56 AM

    Hi Becky! Thank you so much for visiting me!! Oh my gosh, I LOVE your blog!!!! Love all your bunnies for Easter :)

    Hugs,
    Amy

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  16. MeggieMarch 31, 2008 at 11:05 AM

    I say, if it makes you smile, bring it on! It makes your home a special place.

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  17. Rosie's WhimsyMarch 31, 2008 at 11:58 AM

    I agree with Meggie. We love what we love! Definitions be damned! :-) I call them doo dads and yours make me smile :-) Rosie

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  18. Cowboys and Custard MercantileMarch 31, 2008 at 12:43 PM

    Kitsch is Kool and it may be lowbrow but it has guts and is full of character...!
    Some of my favourite possessions started out as cheap fair ground tat.. but I love it all. Kitsch has a humble charm and I would rather that any day than highly polished and pretentious..
    Ooh dear.. got on my soap box there didn't I ?
    Love your Kitschy collection Becky.. right up my street or should I say.. down my alley!!
    Much love to you
    Michelexx

    P.s I haven't forgotten you and will post mystery gift v soon...

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  19. AnonymousMarch 31, 2008 at 2:27 PM

    I think they're all such cheery pieces! They're such happy things! Loved your pictures!

    Manuela

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  20. Esther SundayMarch 31, 2008 at 2:47 PM

    Becky - you have truly been inspiring me on my kitchen makeover!! I am trying to incorporate "Becky Kitsch"! Now, pass me over a lollypop. Love, Esther

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  21. Ele at abitofpinkheavenMarch 31, 2008 at 3:35 PM

    The little canisters with the strawberries are so precious. Love the kitsch!

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  22. Simply ShelleyMarch 31, 2008 at 4:24 PM

    Hi Becky, I love all your kitschy things,and they are no way tacky. Lovely is a much better word for them.

    Blessings,Shelley

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  23. PattieJMarch 31, 2008 at 4:43 PM

    I love kitsch too! Even if it is "lowbrow" lol. Your kitchen is adorable Becky! I would love to have a kitchen just like yours.

    Pattie

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  24. Painted Pink PotMarch 31, 2008 at 6:11 PM

    I found your blog on Our Back Porch. You have some great stuff. I'll be back.

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  25. BittersweetPunkinMarch 31, 2008 at 7:33 PM

    I love your kitsch...it's nice to look at someone else's for a change...LOL
    Hugs,
    Robin

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  26. DenaMarch 31, 2008 at 8:18 PM

    Okay Becky, those pictures were delish! I love all of your kitschy things, from one lover of tacky lowbrow to another, if this is tacky some, all the better because it just means more vintage yummy treasures for all of us!

    Hugs,
    D

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  27. LouiseApril 1, 2008 at 2:03 AM

    Who cares what the definition of Kitsch is? As you say let's just love it. Anyway we want more to think of it as second rate, so there is more for us to go round! x

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  28. LindaApril 1, 2008 at 7:37 AM

    Hi Becky, I'm with you...I love kitsch too! I loved seeing all you cute things. Enjoyed all the textiles from a previous post and seeing red is a good thing too. Hugs, Linda

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  29. LoriApril 1, 2008 at 7:37 AM

    Great post! Gotta love the old salt and pepper cuties!!! Lori

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  30. StacyApril 1, 2008 at 7:53 AM

    I loved looking around your site. I was thinking some of the things in your pictures looked familiar, though....has your house been featured in one of the decorating magazines?

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  31. MaryApril 1, 2008 at 11:20 AM

    I love all your stuff! Highbrow, lowbrow, who cares? At least it's not a unibrow. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself)
    xoxo,
    Mary

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  32. regina barnettApril 2, 2008 at 9:07 AM

    I guess you can say I am a collecter of kitsch things too. I love little cute things. Mostly the animal figerines. I just love looking at all your pretty things. Thanks for sharing.

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  33. AnonymousApril 2, 2008 at 2:51 PM

    Oh, they're so cute. If you love'em, don't worry about anyone else.

    Kate

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  34. Beth LeintzApril 2, 2008 at 8:28 PM

    Low brow- I don't think so....I'm just loving your goodies. I used to have a cute 40's kitchy kitchen and your pictures make me wish I had never tried to decorate in a high brow French country style- cause your kitchen make me smile!

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  35. LalleeApril 3, 2008 at 3:54 AM

    They all make me smile, too, especially Humpty Dumpty.But where are the pink flamingos?

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  36. Susie QApril 4, 2008 at 11:34 AM

    Oh how I love your treasures. That Scottie pen holder with the flag is something I would have grabbed if I had seen it in a shop!! I LOVE kitchy and whimsy and cute. Life is too serious not to have such delights in out home~

    Love,
    Sue

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