I lusted, you see, for a Frigidaire Flair ... the star of the "Kitchen of Tomorrow" line, a gleaming masterpiece of glass and chrome, with burners that were hidden until you pulled out the drawer at countertop height. Built throughout the 1960s and featured everywhere dream kitchens were shown -- for instance, on "Bewitched." What a dream! And forever out of reach.
Until now. Quirky fate put me into a lovely period home a few months ago, and as I looked around the kitchen, there it was: a Flair! Double ovens, hidden burners -- the whole thing. The homeowner told me it was there when they bought the house. I fell in love all over again.
For days, I thought about that stove. Then, as I always do, I wandered to the computer, typed in "Frigidaire Flair," and was astounded to find they are coveted even today by cooks and collectors, and they're still around to be bought!
First I went onto some restored-appliances sites -- and got off in a hurry. Wow. What prices.
Finally, I wandered onto e-Bay. And found, just south of Lexington, Kentucky, a "Flair and a spare" for sale. The second one was just for parts, it said, and would be included in the sale price.
Long story shortened: $100 for the stove(s), another $325 for shipping, and it (they) now sit(s) in the basement, undergoing some cleaning before I bite the bullet, saw into the base cabinet in my 1960s kitchen, and install the newcomer. My home is 190 years old, but the kitchen, as the newest room in the place, was built in 1960. How appropriate is that?
How can I describe this appliance to a generation that's gotten accustomed to overpriced ranges, washers, dryers, even furnaces with 10-year life spans? Think 1950s Cadillac. I mean it: heavy chrome, heavier glass, built to last a lifetime.
The Flairs lost their popularity as self-cleaning ovens were introduced. I sure don't know why ... they could have just added a self-cleaning feature, although the chrome interior wipes off so easily there's no need for any other method.
The photos in this article are of Flairs installed in restored 1960s -era kitchens. It's just how mine will look.
I have these cabinets. I even have this cat. I can't wait.
