Group Therapy: Is your significant other into retro renovation and all things vintage as much as you are — or is your life a retro battleground? Has this interest strengthened bonds — or do you have to compromise (or finagle) to make it work? (Example: Like the couple in this 1948 GE advertisement, David and I juggle pretty well, but I admit, I have the estate-sale bug very bad and the number of things I constantly squirrel into the house is a source of conflict, to say it nicely…) Share your stories and tactics! This should be fun!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Reader Interactions
90 comments
Elvis (aka) Jane says
My husband is trained as an architect so he loves mid century modern homes and furniture. He’s a happy spectator in my hunt for old, cool furnishings, but doesn’t really get into the “shopping” part — no estate sales for him. So I do the legwork and he goes along on the occasional craigslist find or rare vintage store visit. He retains veto power over my general enthusiasm for filling the house, but we both love the green aspect of reusing old stuff so I guess we make a pretty good pair.
jason e says
My wife does not share the passion but the appreciates the final results, often times to her suprise. I purchase 3 to 5 homes a month for rental property, most of them are homes built in the 40’s through the 60’s and often contain mid century treasures (like the “flair” oven I got from one a few weeks ago) so Im constantly bring home stuff which my wife is often dubious. But more times than not she really is happy with the end use.
solsticehome says
ha…mr. “this is the last project”, doesn’t agree with me about much. as far as decorating, i opened a shop http://www.solsticehome.etsy.com, that way when i bring things home, i just tell him they are for my shop. ssh..don’t tell!
btw..tappan trailer.. thank you for the moonshine shade link, love it!
jeanne says
My husband is not really interested in any style and like Beth, doesn’t care how I decorate as long as it is practical. The nice thing about retro is, terms like “recycling” and “thrift store purchase” come in handy if any type of convincing is necessary. 🙂 Also, having studied art, and working in the art industry, I can always claim knowledge and expertise as a trump card.
I wonder what it would be like to be married to someone with the same interest. It might be dangerous, haha.
Glamorlux Nancy says
My husband and I met as teenagers because of our love of vintage stuff. He was in a Rockabilly band and I dressed in vintage clothing. Our dates usually consisted of going to hang out at a 50’s diner or going antiquing. So, we’ve always decorated our homes in a retro style. Pretty much any decorating idea I like, he goes for, too… It is the “big budget” repairs or upgrades that cause consternation in our home! =)
Beth says
Hubby doesn’t love midcentury but doesn’t care how I decorate as long as it is practical. This doesn’t stop him from raising an eyebrow when I bring home *another* piece of furniture that I shove in the garage for later rehab….
TappanTrailer says
Does groaning count as being “into” retro renovations? Just asking!
BTW, Here is a website that is pretty fun to browse 🙂 Besides VERY cool custom lampshades, they also have fiberglass chairs, boomerang tables, inserts for your vintage aluminum screen door, etc.!
http://www.moonshineshades.com/
scurl says
my girlfriend is more of the romantic fantasy Victorian type. Luckily she allows me pretty much free reign over the house, and just goes crazy decorating the bedroom. That doesn’t stop her from trying to get me interested in claw foot tubs or terribly uncomfortable couches though.
atomicbowler says
He He He. Where do I start?
Better you have a counterweight than an enabler! Then again, Laurs and I think having a mutual enabling society is pretty cool!
Dave
Vanessa says
Yes – thank goodness my husband and I love mid-century. Everything about it – from the kitsch advertsing, the black and white and colour films, the fabulous decor, open house designs and those sublime fire places, modernist furniture pieces…and…oh, I could go on forever! It has definitely strengthened our bond 🙂