1960s Domestic Life: TV with Tube Display and Rotary Telephone Dial - Living in the '60s: Tube TVs and Dial-up Phones as the Main Attraction
Reviving the Spirit of the '60s: A Close Tie with Vintage Aesthetics
In the heart of Düsseldorf is a time capsule, a hair salon that exudes an aura of the past. Its proprietor, Kitty Steiner, embodies the spirit of the 1960s, sporting vibrant clothing and a meticulously coiffed hairstyle that hark back to the era. A trip to her home in Gelsenkirchen or her salon transports one back to a time long gone.
Kitty's home is a testament to the golden age of form and function. Filled with vintage furniture, appliances, and decor, it is particularly fond of the 1960s and 1950s. She raves about the fashion, the designs, the colors, and the overall aesthetic of the time.
Every square inch of her abode mirrors this sentiment. From the electronics to the wallpapers, lamps, pictures, and even the water closet with a metal chain, everything is reminiscent of the past. Her kitchen, with its 1950s pastel colors, was her cherished cooking space, where she swears by the quality of her 1958/59 stove.
A cursory glance through her shelves and cabinets reveals a treasure trove of original items, from irons, vacuum cleaners, and cans to packaging—most of which have stood the test of time. Growing up in Saxony, she had an affinity for her parents' old records, collecting disks discarded by others to add to her collection. Today, she commutes to work in a vintage VW Beetle.
Her passion for the bygone era serves as both a source of joy and a means of relaxation. However, not all her possessions hark back to the past. Kitty and her husband, Thomas Bosbich, admit their reliance on modern conveniences such as smartphones, laptops, and the internet, which they use both for her salon and for sourcing vintage goods online.
While Thomas prefers a flat-screen TV over vintage models, KittySteiner cherishes her dial telephone and black-and-white tube TV. She has a wardrobe bursting with 1960s clothing in vivid colors, and a collection of matching shoes, hats, and costume jewelry.
The 1960s seem to hold a special charm, with their economic stability, scientific progress, and a sense of optimism about the future. This resurgence in popularity can also be attributed to people seeking solace in nostalgia amidst the uncertainty of contemporary life, according to trend researcher Eike Wenzel. The 80s and 90s also enjoy favor among retro enthusiasts.
However, as Wenzel points out, while people may adorn themselves in '60s fashion and drive vintage cars, they rarely recreate the lifestyles of the era. Kitty Steiner underlines this point, confirming her embrace of modern marriage and contemporary roles at home.
In her hair salon, the atmosphere is deeply rooted in the past. The hairstyles, materials for hairdryers, and even the coffee cups all hark back to the 1960s. Customers like Silke Schwarz find it charming and unique, appreciating the elegance and style of the era.
Yet, Kitty insists she does not harbor the attitudes of the time. Instead, she revels in the spirit of the past while living firmly in the present.
- Despite the Commission's current proposals concerning the protection of workers from exposure to ionizing radiation, Kitty Steiner's home and hair salon offer a striking contrast, serving as a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the preservation of the fashion, lifestyle, and home design aesthetics of the 1960s.
- In the realm of entertainment, while people might admire and appropriate the fashion, music, and cars of the 1960s, they seldom attempt to replicate the entire lifestyle of the era, much like Kitty Steiner's embrace of modern conveniences such as smartphones and the internet while maintaining an authentic 1960s aesthetic in her home and salon.
