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Shower curtains for Amy’s retro bathroom

Posted by: • December 31, 2008
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When we looked at Amy’s vintage 1964 aqua bathroom recently, I promised I’d make some additional decorating suggestions. One thing reader Sara suggested was playing up the tub/shower at the end of the room with a great shower curtain. Excellent suggestion!

I’ve always been a fan of Calico Corners – so asked their PR department to suggest some fabrics that would work well for a shower curtain and window valence. The came up with some great patterns that would work beautifully in Amy’s bathroom – and which would allow her to keep the vintage aqua tile while still bringing the bathroom into the present with modern-day textiles. Interestingly: Jan Jessup of Calico Corners points out right off the top that turquoise is in!

Jan Jessup from Calico Corners writes: Heck yeah there is more →

More Broyhill Brasilia furniture — and a new Furniture Favorites section

Posted by: • December 31, 2008

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Several fans of Broyhill Brasilia furniture wrote in after a recent post. Yummy, look at this room divider from jsnugbear, Allison has one just like it, too.  All this furniture talk — along with the evolution of the blog — has led me to introduce some new “Furniture Favorites” pages. Starting with:

  • Broyhill – Brasilia is started with a full-blown page of its own, Saga to come
  • Drexel – Declaration is started and will get a full-blown page; Peasant Provincial, Litchfield & Dutchess County, Inspiration for now are links to individual posts.
  • Knoll – Saarinen tulip table and chairs are next on my t0-do list.

I am absolutely no furniture expert. So – what are your furniture favorites? Let me know — along with what you know about them — and together we’ll build a complete catalog.

Kohler colors from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s

Posted by: • December 30, 2008

kohler40s

What colors to use in your 40s 50s 60s or even 70s home? This timeline of Kohler colors is really quite wonderful. It provides a snapshot of why certain colors were common during the wartime years and immediately thereafter… on into the 50s when true exuberance emerged… the 60s with its pop and hippie influences…and the 70s when harvest gold and avocada reigned supreme! The whole postwar period – defined as about 1946 to 1963 was an era when America was really finding its own way from a design perspective. Color does not just “happen” – it’s part of a complex story of social, economic, and demographic factors all interwoven. History. Just like our kitchens and bathrooms and lights — all of it!

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Related posts:

1. Mamie Eisenhower: Unwitting creator of “Mamie Pink”
2. Wilsonart’s snapshot history of 50s laminate including colors
3. Wilsonart’s snapshot history of 60s laminate including colors
4. Complete archive of our midcentury paint color posts
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Special thanks to Scathing Jane for reminding me about this Kohler timeline! She is ALL OVER this era, I am really impressed – and grateful for her continuing help!

A stash of new old stock square recessed lights in Iowa

Posted by: • December 30, 2008

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Cadman writes:

Pam, I wanted to tip you and your readers off on some fantastic NOS light fixtures for sale that might be of interest. The trouble? This alert is likely only good for your Iowa readers.

A while back there was a discussion about the in-ceiling square recessed lights and how chrome trim is no longer available (nor it seems more than 1 or 2 common sizes). The Cedar Rapids ReStore has come into old inventory of these lights, still wrapped in 1958 newspaper from the factory and many sealed in their original dusty boxes. There’s an assortment of sizes and glass options as well, and a 5 or 10 spot is all they’re asking. Heavy-Duty all the way around.

We don’t get down to CR too often but managed to make the trek in an icestorm this past weekend on a search for RED carpet and we couldn’t not drop-in.  -Cadman

Thank you, Cadman. Can someone go get these, please!

Above: Progress lights from my fabulous 1961 Progress catalog.

Related posts:

  1. Progress Circlines 1961
  2. 4 pages of pull down kitchen lights Progress 1961
  3. Square recessed lighting available today

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More photos added: Vintage pink bathroom fixtures for sale in New Haven, CT

Posted by: • December 30, 2008

craigslist20sinkWow, does this look like a gorgeous gorgeous set – sink, tub and toilet — for $450, a great price! Originally available at Urbanminers.com

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Anita’s oriental figurine lamps with shades from Meteor Lights

Posted by: • December 29, 2008

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Anita has been decorating away! She scored a wonderful pair of chartreuse oriental figurine lamps – then topped them with shades from Meteor Lights. In addition, take a look at the way she’s used vintage grasscloth – and even a surfboard – in her mantletop display. I’m ready to tiki at your house, Anita!

3 more great photos…

Heck yeah there is more →

“Ranch homes” – their history and distinguishing characteristics

Posted by: • December 28, 2008

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Is my house a ranch house? A colonial? A colonial-ranch? A year into the blog, I’m pretty sure in understanding that my own house is a mix…but this holiday week I’ve been doing more research into the true academic terminology, if there is such a thing. To start, here’s a story from the National Park Service that lays out how the ranch home developed, and which gives us the clues to telling whether our homes are truly ranches – or not. Some of my key takeaways:

  • A ranch is defined by its livability, flexibility, and unpretentiousness. It has a low sloping stance and roofline and is designed to bring the outside in.
  • Yes, it has one story. But not all one-story houses are ranch homes.
  • Ranch-style, ranch bungalow, ranchette, rambler, California colonial, and even ranch burger — all synonyms for “ranch.” I also know there are further sub-categories: Such as ‘Cinderella ranch’ aka ‘Storybook ranch.’

One last point: I still would like to see the actual data proving that ranch homes were the dominant style throughout the 50s. I think that cape/colonial homes may truly have been their match – especially when you consider that many of these homes might be incorrectly called ranches just because they are on a single story.

Read on for a long story published by the National Park Service  —-> Heck yeah there is more →

How old is this metal cabinet and kitchen sink?

Posted by: • December 27, 2008
Harvest brown metal sink

How old is this metal kitchen sink base? Emily writes in…

Heck yeah there is more →

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