Open thread: What’s on your weekend agenda?
What’s on your list for the weekend? Weekend warrior? Or goin’ fishin (as in Rejuvenation “salvage art”, above)?
I’m doing a major clean of the bathrooms, oh joy. But also, taking my 14-year-old shopping for vintage clothes at Goodwill and Salvation Army — she’s into it now, hurray!
What about you?
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Comments
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House shopping
Yah
Some sewing, some quilting, and hopefully putting back together an old Sunbeam Mixmaster I have been working on.
Hopefully, we can finish painting the kitchen, and check out Ebay for more retro “stuff.”
I’m going to continue working on our kitchen revamp by pulling off the lower cabinet doors (as I’ve gotten all the top ones done) and refinishing the original copper cabinet latches in a painted chrome finish to match my handles and tomorrow morning I’m headed to one of my favorite church’s annual garage sales as it’s always awesome and I’ll try and be first in line by getting there at 7:00 a.m.. It’s supposed to be pouring here tomorrow morning in the “Sunshine” state but it won’t stop me!
Saturday my friends and I are going to the Chicago Modernism Show & Sale … gotta remember to take my camera! I really want a Sputnik light for my library.
Sunday … installing livingroom curtain rod … for sure .. maybe …no, I’m gonna do it – all 12ft of it! Then start sewing some pinch pleat curtains – should have those finished by September.
I am making a valance to go above the window over the kitchen sink. I am making it out of a 50’s era table cloth that was used by my great-grandma, and then by my grandma, that features a Dutch girl and boy dancing among tulips. I am only willing to cut up the tablecloth because it is worn and stained. I’ve looked for months for just the right material for a valance for this window, and I think I’ve had it in my possession all along.
Sounds like everyone is having a retro-filled weekend. I’m volunteering tonight at a residential home for troubled girls. Tomorrow just cleaning and writing a paper (I go to school part-time). We’re also having a guy come over to give us a quote on new windows for the house. Our 1952 home still has the original windows with storms and screens and all.
Milster – I didn’t realize I could painted the hinges on my kitchen cabinets. I was thinking of looking for new ones to fit the same “holes” but painting sounds like a better alternative. I, too, have copper and will be changing my knobs to chrome.
I’m going to a decorating class at Pottery Barn on Sunday morning if I can drag myself out of bed.
Here in Mass it’s going to beautiful Spring weather!! My agenda includes yard work, take down the bird feeders, and look for a retro mailbox at the flea market.
Hello,
Since the tree fell in my house on 062708 I have not been in my bed. Was at hotel for 7 months, then my mothers house then a mattress on my living room floor.
Today the guy came and cleaned my upholstery that survived, including my bed. Today I will let it dry and Tomorrow/Saturday WILL BE THE FIRST TIME IN MY BEDROOM AND BED SINCE JUNE 27TH. WOOHOO!!!!!
Robert
PS: The hotel bed was very nice though.
You won’t have to argue with me when comes time for me to go to Independent or Assisted living.
At the hotel you go have breakfast and socialize, then go back to your room and be in your own world, then they had cocktail hour and a dinner snack so go to that, then go to your own world in your room. Was nice.
No you won’t hear complaining for me when time to go to a place like that.
Why won’t my 83-year-old mother go??
well. Being a stay at home father, I don’t really get a “weekend” and my wife’s days off are sun. and wed. so this is just stuff I’d be doing anyways.
I’m going to try to rustle some (more) of my friends up to help me pick up a 1953 bendix duomatic washer/dryer combo that I found for $50. I’m going to be running around after a puppy that my wife is bringing home later today. I’ll listen to some of my record collection as I’ve finally got a decent phonograph to listen to 78’s on. I’m going to finish cutting down our 70 year old apple tree, start cutting down our 70 year old plum tree (it’s hollow, i don’t cut good trees down willy-nilly), clean up the previous owners mess that was under the now disassembled deck in our backyard. If I’m feeling plucky, I might start digging up our sewer line to repair a collapsed section that has rendered our toilet useless. I’ll also be cooking, cleaning, and running after a 2 year old. I think I’ll just take a nap now while I can.
Picking out a good front yard tree to plant! We wanted a Japanese Red Maple but the word is that they cannot hack the bright afternoon sun. Anyone have any suggestions? Our yard faces South and in the summer, the afternoon sun is very bright from 12-4PM. I’d like something that size and matchy-matchy with the Ranch style.
Saturday: Checking my weekend sources for danish modern goodies, potentially persuading DH to actually look at said goodies, tightening the bolts on the shifting main bath toilet, replacing the guts on the leaking basement toilet and spreading mulch in the garden.
Sunday: urban hiking and lunch with friends, maybe a plant nursery trip… i.e. all the fun stuff
Kristen Japanese Maples do have a hard time with heat reflected off of pavement or brick walls – otherwise it should be ok on the west side. Downy Serviceberry is a nice smaller tree with good fall color and edible blueberry-like fruit. There are some nice witch-hazels too that wouldn’t get too big. Of course most plants close to a house will need to be pruned anyhow. Hope this helps.
Hello,
Kristin
You know—last year we had a freeze, which knocked out lots of those pretty Japanese Maples. I was shocked, so be sure your tree will withstand your climate.
We are zone 4-5-6 so make sure it will handle your zone.
Robert
just found you! love you! ….lot’s o loungin’ this weekend ..which is the best! Happy Friday!
Picking up all my paperwork from getting taxes ready and getting ready to go on a trip to Las Vegas with my favorite 15 year old who is sooo excited. Does anyone have a recommendation for a nice dinner with her or a great neighborhood to check out? Believe me, I need a vacation!
Hi Sara. I’ve sent an email to Uncle Jack at VeryVintageVegas.com for reco’s… so check back here and we’ll see if he can post a response in time. Be sure to check out his site, he knows where all the coolest neighborhoods are, and can clue you into retro-events if they are on: Click here for VeryVintageVegas.com
Here’s another post on a store that L.A. Leslie found called Retro Las Vegas. Take pics! http://retrorenovation.com/2008/08/10/its-a-small-world/
We’ll be trying to figure out how to get the original plastic tile in our 1955 bathroom to stop popping off. Sigh.
On the plus side, we just made copies of a special section our local paper did when these houses, made by National Homes Corp. of Lafayette, Ind., debuted nationally. We’ll also be combing through those.
putting up grasscloth wallpaper in the basement half bath!
Pam – Some of my best mom and daughter memories from my teen-age years are of my mom taking me thrifting, vintage clothes shopping and antiquing. She never was particularly into antiques, but happily went along with my obsession with art deco (that began as a pre-teen, after seeing “The Cotton Club” on cable TV). She was a flight attendant and would take me on trips just to go shopping. I still have articles of vintage clothing that I never wear, but can’t part with because of the memories attached to them. Enjoy creating these memories with your daughter!
That is such a sweet story, Glamorlux Nancy. Don’t worry, I am enjoying every minute!
i am doing homework then mabye shopping
We found an Estate sale about 1/2 mile from our house. Looked to be picked over by the time we got there, which was surprising for a Friday. We got some cupcake liners, a cook cupcake pan, and Nikki got a nice little vintage nightie.
I’ve had the whole week off. It’s spring break and my girlfriend is a teacher so I took the week off too. We were planning on taking a trip to New Orleans in the hopes of selling alot of my “extra” retro stuff, but it just didn’t work out. Last Oct. I was able to pay for 4 days 3 nights by selling using Craigslist. This time…zilch. I guess times ARE tough. ::shrug::
I spent the last few days repainting a few pieces of my mid mod patio furniture. Two Bertoia diamond chairs ($70/pair-wow) and a pair of Homecrest side chairs. I have alot more to paint. I want them all to match. Satin Black metal and red cushions and umbrella. Big project.
Tonight we went to the opening night of the local Drive Inn (Sky View – has a Really cool retro sign!). You get a double feature for $9! Monsters Vs. Aliens. Not too bad, you know, for a kids movie. Hotel For Dogs. We packed up and left about 1/4 way through. Real Bad. We go to the drive in about 15 times a year. LOVE it.
I’m hoping that tomorrow I will finally be selling and riding myself of my old rattan / bamboo living room set (but you know how selling on C-list goes) and then setting up my “new” Paul Frankl rattan / bamboo set. It’s got those cool wide arms made from like six wide bands of bamboo that are shaped like a trapazoid when viewed from the side. Straight out of a Shag painting!
Happy Spring Everybody!
Chris.
Spring? Here its ataum ( how is it spelt?)
I’m doing research about retro refrigerators – I want an icemaker so that let’s out Smeg’s. Now it’s between Northstar or a Big chill.
Thanks for the advice on the trees; I am in Zone 8, so the Japanese Maple does fine here and in fact, the woman up the street has two in her yard that are lovely. I am just afraid that my yard is too wide open and the poor thing would never get enough shade in our brutal summer (brutal from June-beginning of Sept). But I hear different things.
I’d prefer a tree with no fruit; someone suggested the Acer Maple which isn’t has gorgeous as the Japanese but still cute and small and much more hardy in the sun.
All sorts of surprises are coming out this Spring—the original owner was quite the green thumb and the backyard is just full of flowering shrubs and trees!
It is an AMUR Maple, rather!
Anyone have built-in brick containers as part of their ranch? We have one that runs half the length of our home. What have you planted?
Kristin, I have no idea if it will work for you but I’ve been thinking about planting a Ginko tree or two. I noticed one down the street from my girlfriends place last summer and am quite smitten. I also LOVE the Quaking Aspen, very atomic ranch retro.
Chris.
Holy crap…it’s snowing again….like, really really Snowing. It has been SO nice all week long. 60’s and 70’s! Now we are supposed to get about 4-6 inches of snow tonight! ::shrug:: St. Louis weather.
Hey Scurl, you into vintage automatic washers and dryers too? My greatest disappointment over the last few years is letting a Pink – Lady Kenmore washer get away ($175 – excellent cond.). I now have a matching set of late 60’s early 70’s Harvest Gold Maytags. They’ll do until I find something a little earlier and cooler.
Did I mention, IT IS SNOWING?
Chris.
Kristin,
I would die to have an inside built-in planter! Unfortunately, all our built-in planters are outside.
If I had one indoors, I would plant aglaonemas (Chinese evergreen) and sanseverias (mother-in-law’s-tongue). Both tolerate very low light and the sanseveria is totally retro. And both have variegated foliage, so they light up a darker space. Another retro plant is pothos, but it grows in long vines, so it may not be as suitable for your space.
Oh Elvis Jane, it is an outside one! It is a low one that runs as a wrap-around from the porch down the length of the outside of our living room underneath all the windows…some other houses on the street have them, but they tend to be the older folks who haven’t been able to tend them in awhile.
I picked out Canna lillies as they attract hummingbirds, who come out a lot in the summer here. Last year there was a bunch of pick and white Lantana and it just was too ugly. I want something a bit more tropical and/or Asian.
Ginko may be a great tree option! I will look it up.
Plan to clear out entire shop building; empty work van to facilitate;find that boat obstructing building has still not been moved by boatyard.
Fix Vintage Lamp
Mumble about listing stuff on E-bay
Make gestures at cleaning/reorganizing garage
Clean Lead Paint and Fiberglass dust thoroughly from shop-vac
Laundry
Unjam kids’ toilet upstairs
Stay up way too late eating too much chocolate and watching South Park, Family Guy, King of the Hill and Robot Chicken on Comcast On demand.
“Brief Stop” at Goodwill to “make a Return”, followed by a “quick Trip” to Value Village.
Bowling. Sign up for upcoming Family Fun League w/kids.
Grocery Shopping
Go to Pick Up Kids from Laura’s Ex.
Yawn. Yearn to go bowl some more.
Dave
Hit another estate sale this morning. Two in one weekend, and to think I’d never been to one before, they seem scarce in these parts. Got some cool drinking glasses and an old 8mm camera. We took pics of the bathroom too, all blue fixtures with a supercool starburst wallpaper.
Kathismom—Think Green, Go Vintage! My vintage Hotpoint set me back about $135 including delivery. You could buy genuine vintage for about that same price, have it totally checked out / recharged, have it CUSTOM painted (if it even needs painting) AND have an ice maker custom installed for way less than a new retro fridge. I’ve even seen really nice ones here in St. Louis for free on C-list.
But for real, why even have an ice maker? I have a half dozen aluminum ice trays that are SO much fun to use! I keep a cleaned out gallon ice cream bucket filled with ice cubes “at the ready”.
Chris.
Jeanne,
Yes, you can paint those copper hinges as I was in the same boat as you and couldn’t find replacement chrome ones that would line up with our existing drilled holes so I thought “What the heck, why not try it” and I’m really happy with how they turned out. I used the Rustoleum Silver Metallic paint from Walmart (only $3.97 or something like that) and it’s working great. If you do it, just remember to be patient and add several layers of very lightly painted coats and it works great!
We had really crappy weather here Saturday so I didn’t get to work on them ’til yesterday but, I got my cabinet doors cleaned, drilled the handle holes a little larger to fit my 50s chrom handles and painted the hinges. Will put them all back together tonight after work.
We also got our cool 1950’s pink light fixture (that I got off Ebay)hung in the kitchen yesterday and I love it; it will be a BIG adjustment to get used to the “lower lighting” but we like it. We took down a huge flourescent light that I couldn’t stand so it is less lighting but much more fabulous! Of course, this unfortunately created another project in our kitchen revamp due to our plumbing horror, and now the hubby has to patch and repair the ceiling under the flourescent box fixture and this will mean he’s going to have to paint the kitchen and dining room ceilings as they join together… pray he doesn’t kill me! LOL!
Oh, for those interested, I did go to my favorite church’s annual garage sale on Saturday morning (even though it was pouring rain and the wind could almost blow you away) and was first in line! Luckily, they have a covered sidewalk where we wait (me in my portable chair, flashlight and good book) and the church workers told me they were “glad to see I was first in line again, as they counted on me”!
I got some great stuff:
A glass covered Turquoise Pyrex baking dish (the large one that I didn’t have) for $3.00, an old pink mixing bowl that I can’t quite make out the name but it starts with an “S” and Made in the USA for $3.00; hand embroidered purse $0.25, package of buttons for crafting $0.25, 2 pair of Lands Ends Slip on shoes for the hubby for $0.25 each (yep, that’s right; a quarter a pair…he loves ‘em); a cute Hurley scarf for $0.25; a bandanda print scarf $0.25; 50’s Pyrex small syrup size pitcher for $0.25 (has the black handle with diamond shapes in gold on the sides); a set of silver & copper bangles for $0.25; and a amethyst (faux) and pearl necklace for $0.50 and I spent a grand total of $10.50! I already can’t wait ’til next years’ sale!
Oh…yeah…
Did some ‘Retro Renovation’ on (age 10) Parker’s hair…I gave him a flat-top!
Came up with names for Bowling Teams (Family Fun League is two-person teams of one adult and one junior). Parker and I are the Atomic Punks (there was a Van Halen tune). Uniform is apparently to be really loud red and white aloha shirts as we already have a matching pair-and cuffed trousers.
Chloe and Laura are now the Bombin’ Bettys (you know, early-60’s surfer slang for a hottie based on Betty Rubble’s physique). Blouses and pleated bowling skirts with bobby sox.
Got some flat AWESOME goodies at the second Goodwill we ended up stopping at.
Dave
Kristin,
We planted our outside planters with trailing rosemary on the hot south side, and dwarf sarcocca (sweet box) in the very deep shade on our west side. The first year we had impatiens but most annuals and perenniels won’t grow there due to the shade and the narrowness of the planters.
Cannas would be great and very asian. How about some bamboo? It’s year-round here in Portland, and it’s perfect for a confined space where it can’t get away from you.
That is funny because we moved here (well, back here for me) from Portland!
Bamboo would be cool! I got two kinds of cannas to put in and those pink/white/green members of the elephant ear family. I am also getting some bigger elephant ears also. I think some bamboo would be a great addition; could block out some of that strong PM sun but the cats/dog (and us) could still look through it.
Sara in WA. I live in Vegas (Uncle Jack is a friend and neighbor) and can recommend a couple of wonderful neighborhoods. I live just a bit north and east of the Stratosphere. If you take St. Louis east from the Stratosphere and turn north at Rexford, you’ll be in my 1950s neighborhood. Wander north and east and you’ll keep finding more stuff. Definitely check out Jack’s VeryVintageVegas.com. He can give you more info. Have fun!
SCHOOL KOLIDAYS!!!