You just never know whether an estate sale will be out of this world – or a dud. This past weekend, I was fortunate to hit a real a jackpot. A Victorian-industrial-company-town townhouse in a northern Berkshires “hilltown” that appeared to have been redecorated to the hilt in 1961 or so. All what you call “Hollywood Regency” – a very foofy gilded Italianate style so named because it copied the Regency Hotel in Hollywood. Also, think “Rat Pack Viva Las Vegas.” The home was simply amazing as in eyes-popping-out-of-your-head amazing.
Among many other features, I really loved the valences in several rooms: Vintage woven wood blinds. But these are not the ‘all natural back to the forest’ kind you see today. They are the old-fashioned kind with big thick yarn threads woven through them (in the case of the orange valence at the top) or (as in the pink valence just above) with un-natural colors and lots of tassels and gimp. Yowza. I think you may still be able to get valences and shades designed to this extreme – but I need to do more research. Meanwhile, if you buy a house that has them – know that they are wonderful, I have so decreed!
Okay, so here are some more features of the home. It had a vintage St. Charles kitchen dating back to the 1940s – a very early set, I believe. There was even one cabinet with a built-in, pull-out meat slicer. And look at this incredible round dinette — and in what great shape! The kitchen was yellow with red trim – it also had yellow cabinets with red laminate countertops. A wonderful color combination. Oh – and notice that scalloped edge linoleum (another photo in the gallery) – breathtaking!
I loved this matador plaque.
The dining room furniture was very modern. Notice the delicious crystal chandelier — and I hope you can see the valence over the pinch pleats.
Of course, there was a completely – over-the-top pink bathroom – with marbleized pink laminate on virtually every surface. Wrought-gold mirrors and swans and angels and poddles and…Look at the swag lamp!
I was in heaven, of course. I just kept walking around with my mouth hanging open…. striking up conversations with complete strangers (who turned out to be fabulously interesting themselves)… and mumbling over and over “Unbelievable.” It was a good day.
Click on these gallery images once – then once again – to see them quite large:
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- 60s orange vintage woven wood valence and shade
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- vintage woven wood shade in pink bathroom
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- 1940s yellow and red built in round dinette
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- vintage linoleum with scalloped red edges
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- vintage matador plaque
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- hollywood regency meets danish modern dining room
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- 1960s all laminate pink bathroom
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- 1960s gilt poodle
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- orange 60s sectional
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
That kitchen is too adorable for words!!!
Oh wow! What fun. I think I have something from the kitchen (only kidding), but I do have a free-standing rounded-end peninsula that has 3 shelves, wood painted yellow with red linoleum on the shelves, with metal banding. Right now it is holding laundry materials and other things in my basement. It was found years ago in a local antique shop and has served me well.
I completely forgot about woven woods like those! I sooooo remember those! (doh! I’m showing my age) After I graduated from school (1978) and before I got a job in advertising, I worked at Montgomery Wards as the “interior decorator” for six months, which basically was selling window treatments. I had books of samples of woven woods with all different colors of woven yarns.
I want that dining room set!!
So, whatd’ya buy?
Yes, I remember these shades, too! Now the hunt is on to find some for my home!
I’m with Joe: show us the goods! Did you get me something? I would love to get that orange sectional in the mail…
I. LOVE. BALL. FRINGE! What a great place!
I lust after many of the items and furnishings in that home.
Oh my gosh, I would have had a heart attack from sheer delight if I’d walked into that house. Now I’m mooning with envy. What a great day!
So is this house for sale too? It is freaking amazing!
I could have flown in… after a full day of drooling over this house, we could have had a pajama party and done each other’s hair and talked about things near to our heart like St. Charles cabinets…
Looks like home to me.
I saw that estate sale advertised on Craig’s List. It is about an hour from me so I decided not to go, guess I missed out. Was it well attended & what did stuff end up going for?
Now here was a homeowner who really knew how to turn homemaking into something fun. Everyday must have been a happy, smiley face day in this home! Oh, to have the courage, or the joie de vivre, or whatever it takes, to have an orange sectional! Thanks for sharing this delightful hodge-podge. Hope it’s all making some new owners happy.
Aaaaw those dangaly bits are adorable!
Those are so much fun!
WOW amazing items I wouldve been drooling, my parents had an orange couch when I was little!
My jaw literally dropped when I saw that picture of the kitchen. Wow.