The Rare Vintage Kitchen Appliance That Turns Your Counter Into A Statement Piece

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Vintage appliances never go out of style. Perhaps it's their quaint yet elegant soft edges. Or maybe it's their calming pastel colors. And certainly there is the undeniable appeal of nostalgia. It's no wonder that people scour the internet for KitchenAid stand mixers from the 1930s and Cuisinart food processors from the 1970s, or even spend hundreds of dollars for new appliances that have a retro appearance. Try adding a touch of the mid-20th century to your own counter with the Mary Proctor Starflite blender. 

There are plenty of fun vintage appliances everyone had in the '60s, which are very easy to find today. This is not one of them. But it's worth the search if you want to pull off a stylish, retro vibe in your kitchen. The Mary Proctor Starflite blender has a pastel base with an eight-point star, which is an appropriate symbol for this space-age technology. Atop the heavy base is a glass blending jar with a ribbed design that bounces light from different angles. This blender combines function with style; there are marks on the front for easy measuring as you go. However, it doesn't have variable speed or blending settings, which didn't become commonplace until the '80s and '90s. Unlike old fridges or ovens which might raise concerns about safety or energy usage, a blender is one of the vintage appliances you should have in your kitchen because most households will use it sparingly. This equipment was built to last, and in the meantime, it will add some unique, eye-catching contrast to a modern home.

Finding a Mary Proctor Starflite blender can be difficult, but not impossible. Your luck may be better online. There are different models within the Starflite range, so prices can vary. A listing for a model O2012 blender sold for over $100 on Etsy, but a similar Starflite drink mixer can be found for a little over $20 on eBay. Another approach is to look at estate sales, garage sales, and flea markets This is  also one of many valuable vintage appliances you should always look for in the thrift store! If you're lucky, you might stumble upon other kitchen appliances from the Starflite line of products, like toasters and juicers.

If you plan to use the blender, it's important to check the cord to make sure it hasn't worn out, otherwise it could start a fire. Check for exposed bits of wire, signs of melting, or bent or missing prongs. If none of those signs of damage are visible, you shouldn't have to worry about it causing you problems. However, as with all appliances, you should still ask to test the product before you leave the market or thrift store. Once you take it home, give it a good wash, then look forward to all sorts of diner-style milkshakes, mixed drinks, smoothies, and salsas.

Even if it's only decorative, this blender should fit nicely within a modern kitchen, but if you're interested in making your own atomic-age kitchen, combine it with other iconic designs, like black and white checkered floors, for instance. Overall, bright colors are central to that period's spirit — so go daring with a pink or lime green. Place some chrome chairs around the table and tie in other midcentury celestial motifs.