June 19, 2008 was the Hula Hoop’s 50th birthday. I am a born-to-hula hooper, a California girl. My favorite was the shoop shoop hula hoop. One of my proudest moments in the past few years was beating a 17-year-old at a company picnic hula hoop contest in a final-death elimination round that involved the TWO hula hoops. That is hard, let me tell you – and I whooped him after decades of minimal hula hoop practice. It’s important to know you’ve still got it — and to leave your coworkers astounded as you reveal yet more new, amazing talents every day. Heck yeah there is more →
Weiserlock door sets – a good midcentury choice
Posted by: • June 6, 2009
If you want to upgrade your door set, these choices from Weiserlock are beautiful and very classic — they definitely have a retro feel to me. When you are out at estate sales and inside mid century houses, make sure to notice little details like this. I remember one sale about two years ago just down the street from me… the modern house had the most gorgeous door sets… identical throughout the house – quite similar to the Weiserlock Troy above, although smaller. I remember that the slightly smaller scale, the repetition throughout the house, and the great “hand feel” made them so special. I am sure I looked nutso, pausing among the frenzy to adore them. Heck yeah there is more →
Vintage 1950s style stoves from Big Chill
Posted by: • June 5, 2009
A DAY LONG IN COMING: New, retro-style stoves with an authentic vintage look. Big Chill is now taking pre-orders for fall delivery of these 30″ ranges, which run on gas or propane. Eight colors. This stove has a far superior look to all previous attempts, which have been too caricatured, in my opinion. The Big Chills seems to mimic real stoves from back in the day. For example, the backsplash (or whatever you call it) is pretty similar to vintage Magic Chefs, from my recollection. Even at $4,295, I think they should do quite well — not just in the retro renovation market, but among all homeowners. Cozy comfy granny retro will continue to be hot hot hot for years to come, extending deep into the mainstream marketplace, I predict. Many thanks to reader Lisa for sending me this hot off the presses info to share with all! Big Chill website here.
1964 time capsule gray bathroom
Posted by: • June 5, 2009
Should you replace your old windows?
Posted by: • June 4, 2009
MARY-FRANCES of Meanwhile Back At The Ranch recently featured an excellent story from the National Trust for History Preservation that seeks to address that age-old question: Should I buy replacement windows? The NTHP’s answer, modified by me: Go slow in making this decision, and have a bias toward trying to work with what you have. Best solution may be to tighten up your existing windows, add storms, and for improved energy conservation look at adding attic insulation, a new furnace, a programmable thermostat — even just window treatments! These are likely far “greener” solutions than sending (likely better quality) old wood windows to the dump and causing the energy-intensive manufacturer of all-new windows. Bottom line, with windows: The ‘easy’ answer — to work with what you have — might not only be the ‘cheapest’ but also the ‘greenest.’ Click here to go to the NTHP article. And note: We’re talking wood windows here. I haven’t seen advice on steel or aluminum windows … sorry… as I know that’s another question for some readers. A safety issue with aluminum/steel windows seems to be: If there is a fire, can you open them easily?
The history of the milkman: Who killed him?
Posted by: • June 3, 2009
DID YOU STILL HAVE A MILKMAN growing up? (Do you look suspiciously like him? tee hee.) Historic New England has a really wonderful virtual-online exhibit about the history of milk home delivery from 1860-1960. The exhibit also helps explain some of the history of modern kitchens. Alas, we retro renovators know how the story ends. –> Heck yeah there is more →
Vintage style ice cream churns
Posted by: • June 3, 2009
Where to buy a vintage or vintage-style ice cream maker? Also known as ice cream churn. I got my electric model, old and beat up, but works just fine, at a garage sale for $5. I’ve probably seen 20 at similar sales since, they are around, that’s for sure. If you want new, might I suggest the White Mountain Ice Cream Churn. It’s available either motorized or original vintage slow-food-manifesto hand-crank. I bought one for my friend Ashley for a wedding present. She and John go to a lot of barbeques. They live in California. It was a BIG HIT. Made in America. 150 year history. Costs some dough re mi. An even greater Vermont contribution to ice cream history than Ben & Jerry’s. And remember, when you make homemade ice cream – only ever used finely crushed ice. And eat a lot. Alot alot.
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