Rochester Steven has completed some drop dead gorgeous updates to his 1957 Alcoa Aluminum house, and shares the details and images. This is the third story on these late-1950s “demonstration” houses. We first featured a time capsule for sale in Wisconsin. I think that’s how Steven found this blog, and we featured his house in New York state, along with the home’s original brochure, just a few weeks later. There were only 23 of these houses built — and Steven, Michael and Bobby are amazing caretakers. This house will knock you off your chair — it’s worthy of Architectural Digest. Heck yeah there is more…
After the post on where to find shelf edging, California Kathy wrote to show some in action. This is wonderful stuff for open shelves, glass cupboards, and as Kathy shows — for showing off collections of vintage bowls and dinnerware:
Hi Pam, California Kathy here. Just wanted to show you the upper portion of my kitchen china hutch with its shelf edging. I scored it on eBay a while ago and couldn’t be happier with how it looks! We’ve been doing a few things to our 1949 Calinfornia ranch kitchen and I’ll send you some pics as soon as we finish up a couple more easy things. Course the “easy” things are the ones that take the longest sometimes! Thanks for all you do! – Kathy
Hi Pam! My apartment building was built in the 50’s and everything has been kept exactly like it was back then. They have 3 different bathroom tile colors — pink, blue and seafoam green. When I found out I was getting a pink bathroom I was pretty excited. It’s so silly that it puts a smile on my face every time I walk in! Taking pictures in there makes me giggle, so the pictures tend out to be upbeat and catch me at my girliest. – Berry
Berry’s blog says that she loves Ikea, zombies, and music. I am getting her address so that I can send her a little prize for her 1,000th photo in the pool. Hmmm, what shall I find in my humongous stash o’ retro for her? Stay tuned. Thank you, Berry!
I was wondering if you have ever done any research on Shelf Edging and if so where could I get some. I don’t think that I ever mentioned that the previous owner had placed shelf edging in the linen closet and also in certain cabinets in the kitchen. Since I have lived in my house for almost a year now the shelf edging is starting to tear and I would like to have some more on hand when I am ready to put more up. Heck yeah there is more…
Some great stuff in here for your holiday gifting: A paper hostess dress, a chartreuse-and-green cake serving set, faux Beatles cake toppers, and just what Everyone needs: Giant Sexton fork-and-spoon set.
If you comment regularly, I highly recommend that you get yourself a Gravatar — a “globally recognized avatar.” This is a small image that you choose to represent you when you make comments on any blog or in a Forum. The software sees where you post your email address (required by most blogs) and then serves up the gravatar you have chosen. Here’s the website, it’s free, and pretty easy. Remember at the end to “confirm” the image that you have selected. If you are at a loss for an avatar – you can go to this site and create a Mad Men character that looks like you.
Of course, I would love a vintage 60s wall hanging of a house. It occurs to me that during my life, all I ever doodled were: Houses. I have a very deep rooted pathology. This is another treasure that I purchased from the fabulous estate sale time capsule. The photo above shows it handing the home’s entry way, so welcoming. Click through for a close up. Heck yeah there is more…
Finding quirky accessories can be the most fun (and never-ending) part of owning an eclectic mid-century modern or mid-century modest home. Here is my vintage Stangl wigstand, purchased 15 years ago, well before I lived the retro life. Isn’t she beautiful? She’s a blond, circa 1950. I think we named her Betty. Well, Betty sits on our built-in bookcase and always has a vintage hat of some sort propped on her head. This one is an amazingly lovely antique crocheted lace night cap (I think) lined with satin — one of my many wonderful finds from the time capsule estate sale last week. Peeking from behind — a vintage Shriner’s hat I bought 10 years ago at a thift store in Canada.
This jukebox replica is from Hammacher Schlemmer, which says it is “a precise Deutsche-Wurlitzer replica of the legendary model 1015 (first built in 1946).” However, while this model can still play 45s, it also has all kinds of new speakers and computerized features. At $8,995, it is not for everyone. But, hey, I have NEVER said this blog is all about cheap and cheerful — it’s about wicked expensive and awesome, too — retro is a big tent. Link here.
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Spotted on etsy, with the darling note — “chippy but cute.” 
Carrie writes:
If you comment regularly, I highly recommend that you get yourself a Gravatar — a “globally recognized avatar.” This is a small image that you choose to represent you when you make comments on any blog or in a Forum. The software sees where you post your email address (required by most blogs) and then serves up the gravatar you have chosen. 
Of course, I would love a vintage 60s wall hanging of a house. It occurs to me that during my life, all I ever doodled were: Houses. I have a very deep rooted pathology. This is another treasure that I purchased from the fabulous estate sale time capsule. The photo above shows it handing the home’s entry way, so welcoming. Click through for a close up. 
Finding quirky accessories can be the most fun (and never-ending) part of owning an eclectic mid-century modern or mid-century modest home. Here is my vintage Stangl wigstand, purchased 15 years ago, well before I lived the retro life. Isn’t she beautiful? She’s a blond, circa 1950. I think we named her Betty. Well, Betty sits on our built-in bookcase and always has a vintage hat of some sort propped on her head. This one is an amazingly lovely antique crocheted lace night cap (I think) lined with satin — one of my many wonderful finds from the 
This jukebox replica is from Hammacher Schlemmer, which says it is “a precise Deutsche-Wurlitzer replica of the legendary model 1015 (first built in 1946).” However, while this model can still play 45s, it also has all kinds of new speakers and computerized features. At $8,995, it is not for everyone. But, hey, I have NEVER said this blog is all about cheap and cheerful — it’s about wicked expensive and awesome, too — retro is a big tent. 
