I went through a list of 'color' ideas with my husband. IE products and words that would identify you time period as the 50's.
The coffee would be made with a percolator
Playtex was the epuivalent of Victoria's Secret and high end underwear. Maiden form was a big name.
There would be an ice box and the milk man would deliver milk and cream three times a week. There would be ice deliveries by the ice man
Doctors made house calls
If this is in NY there are trolley cars and there would be a spiderweb of power lines above the street
In the 50s there might be horse drawn delivery vehicles
Bakelite is the poor mans plastic and ashtrays, electronics, flooring, and figurines would be made from this.
She would also have a radio. T Vs aren't common yet.
Everyone smokes. The hard boiled babe would light up with her coffee to wake up.
There might be horsehair cushions on the sofa.
Consider metal springs under the mattress.
The Murphy Bed was HUGE in single room apartments in NY
There would be an iron and board in the apartment.
There might be a pic from Nirman Rockwell on the wall. Maxfield Parish was big in the 40s and might also be used as a decoration.
Hope these helped you!
Sears Roebuck existed. She might go past a Montgomery Ward.
Small restaurants were everywhere, but there were Automats in NY with lines of self serve food on plates (like a cafeteria)
