The hard way
Mid Mod Pam on Dec 09 2007 at 1:34 pm | Filed under: Inspiration, bathroom
We know about taking the road less traveled. To me, doing things the hard way has the same allure. The hunt for the perfect estate sale light fixture, the set of vintage cabinets that are just right, the document wallpaper that pulls things all together.
Honestly, the reason this blog even exists is that I had so much info in my mental hard drive about the retro reno alternatives available — all obsessively and endlessly researched — that it seemed a shame to simply be done with it when my projects were completed.
But the dangers of the hard way came into focus this week, when I pulled Palm Springs Stephan into the vortex. A week ago Friday night I spotted the brand new, mint in box, never installed set of circa 1958 bathroom fixtures in this exact photo, on a forum. They’d just been posted. Hot! I happened to be emailing a bit with Stephan, and knew he was working on a bathroom reno.
Long story short, he was very excited about the prospect of pink fixtures and spent hours back-and-forth with the seller in Cheyenne, Wyoming, trying to certify the exact color, before he sent a certified check. Hours with a tile store to coordinate tile. Worked out shipping. At one point thought it was a done deal. Ultimately, though, the color didn’t pan out for him, and it’s back to plan A.
The moral of the story is — I guess — to know thyself. If you really truly want very special retro finds to complete your renovation vision, it’s gonna be a roller coaster. Requiring patience, tenacity, and a belief that once you put your vibes out there, the stuff will come. If you think that sounds fun - so then, will be doing it the hard way.
P.S. Anyone within driving distance of Cheyenne, Wyoming, interested in a set of brand new, mint in box, never been installed Crane bathroom fixtures? Tub, toilet with really cool seat, sink with chrome legs/towel bar, lav faucet, tub faucet. $1000. Email Gary, who seems very nice and appreciative of them, at: cgary374@aol.com. He can give you the whole story, which begins in North Dakota.
Oh yeah. They’re beige. Or taupe. Or a sandy pinky beigey taupe. Something like that. Buckle up.
But ya know what the really cool part is??? When I’ve found just the right thing (who knows…it could a light fixture, or a weird kitchen implement, or some vintage fabric from a junk store), and I don’t have a place for it, I put it away. Then, sometimes YEARS later, I’ll pull it out and whaddya know, it’ll fit in perfectly somewhere. I’ve had this happen with colors time and time again.
I agree totally. About 10 years ago, I bought 20 linear feet of 60s pinch-pleat draperies. I literally took them down from a house at an estate sale. I lived in a 1985 home (long story). I had not even contemplated the home I live in now. Time passed, we moved, and the drapes were utterly perfect for our 1951 colonial-ranch. I had even sort of forgotten I’d bought them. For $20 Canadian, when that actually was even really cheaper!