I wanted to kick the blog off with some of my favorite little things that I use every single day and that always make me smile when I see them – my vintage Melmac dishes.
Melamine cups and saucers from By The Wayside on Etsy
What is Melmac, you ask? Melmac was the leading line of colorful melamine resin dishes that were popular (and used in nearly every American home with kids) in the 1950s and 1960s. Whether or not you recognize the name, chances are at some time in your life, you’ve seen or eaten off of a melamine dish. Their durability made them popular in school cafeterias – they made those large, divided platters you so fondly remember that held your fish sticks and macaroni and cheese.
I love these dishes because the colors are amazing, they are pretty much unbreakable and they are dishwasher-safe. The kids like to eat off of them because they are fun and they come in these tiny little bowls and plates. They also come in large plates, bowls, serving pieces, cups – pretty much everything you can think of. Here are a few from my collection (in lime green and orange):
They are so handy and I literally use them every single day with the kids. They also make great patio-ware for summer barbecues and pool parties.
Since Melmac or melamine dishes are vintage, they are typically (and fairly easily) found in vintage stores, antique malls, estate sales, Ebay, Craigslist and in vintage Etsy shops like By The Wayside.
One thing I have learned about buying vintage items is that there’s usually a reason certain things are still around after more than 50 years – they were built to last. Melmac definitely falls into that category. It is also fun to hunt for. Pick the colors you like and start building your collection.
*Note: Melmac is NOT Microwave-safe
madmomstl 