Jan Whitaker

E-Edition Advertise Newsletters Subscribe Home News Opinion Sports Business Arts & Life Obituaries Classifieds Calendar At a time when so many people are priced out of the housing market, both as renters and buyers, it’s an unpleasant surprise to see an article in the recent Home Magazine called “The Basics of Flipping Homes.” Its headline is ironic, given that the flippers have taken what was once a home, made some upgrades, not so that they can have a home, but so they can make a nice...

With the end of World War II, the United States became the undisputed world power as well as the leading economy, producing the largest share of the world’s goods. Many changes took place in American society as the soldiers returned. Suburbs sprang up with housing for growing families, shopping centers appeared, and many workers enjoyed prosperity.

The author of the book A Perfect Red identifies it as “the color of desire” and “the color of blood and fire.” She also notes that the color has often been associated with masculinity because it signifies power, prestige, and “heat and vitality.” So it makes perfect sense that at one time it was popular as steak house decor. [above, Presto, Chicago, ca. 1970] But it took a while to catch on.