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Ohana Luau on the Lake

Posted by: • September 19, 2009

tiki-luau-on-the-lake

I am at the Ohana Luau on the Lake all weekend. It is being held at the Tiki Motor Inn Resort on Lake George, NY, which is billed as the last surviving 60s era tiki resort in America. I am so excited — in particular because Mr. Retro Renovation adores tiki. I plan to take lots of photos, drink many large sweet rum drinks, and acquire a polynesian name. So watch for a tiki report next week.

Gorgeous mid-century sectional sofa + special offer to readers

Posted by: • September 18, 2009

mid-century-sectionalReader Lara spotted this amazing green brocade mid-century sectional, available from Etsy seller RedEyeVintage. The sofa is in Portland, Maine, and it’s $4,600. To be sure, that is a lot of money — but I have never seen a sectional this beautiful. And apparently it’s in phenomenal shape – kept under the proverbial plastic slip covers for years. Note the variation in the tufting on the sofa back. It also has side table built in at one end, and the ottoman converts to a coffee table. This one – pure lust. Update: Seller Marnie is thrilled I’m featuring this. If you are really interested – mention this site and she will take $250 off the purchase price.

Marshmallow resistance

Posted by: • September 18, 2009

Could you defer gratification — resist a marshmallow — when you were a weebit? Some research indicates that if you could, you would likely do better later in life…the trait would pay off. Either way, this is just about the most hilarious video ever. Thanks for friends at The Sister Project for spotting it. TGIF, all.

Tami’s mint-in-box Mercury exhaust fan

Posted by: • September 17, 2009

mint-in-box-mercury-exhaust-fanMIB NOS bathroom and kitchen items are still out there, readers. Reader Tami made a big score with this 1980 Mercury exhaust fan, which she found for $27 on craigslist. I asked her if she could tell us the whole story and some more about what’s going on in her kitchen: Heck yeah there is more →

Elizabeth adds a fabric awning

Posted by: • September 17, 2009

patio from under magnoliaElizabeth added a retractable fabric awning to the back of her house about a month ago. She wrote me: “What a difference it will make in my use of the backyard…. Why did I wait so long to do this?? That is the big question.” Thank you, Elizabeth, the awnings — and the garden, especially — look so beautiful, so inviting.


Granny square afghans

Posted by: • September 16, 2009

granny-square-throw-in-orange-and-green

My favorite possession in the whole wide world? The granny square afghan that my grandmother made for me when I was about 12.  Honestly, the thing is my #1 decorative influence — it’s full of color and most importantly, homemade love. Of course, I collect vintage afghans a bit… I have a few wonderful ones. The afghan above: $20 from JunqueInTheTrunque, on Etsy. 

Heck yeah there is more →

That 70s house — 3 interiors

Posted by: • September 15, 2009

1974-garage-getaway

Could there have been a more creative period in American design history than 1974? Methinks not – as evidenced by the three interiors today… and by my memories of the era. And folks: This look is back with a vengeance, so no whining, go look for your old David Cassidy and Bobby Sherman posters and prepare a place for them. Heck yeah there is more →

Are you looking for vintage metal kitchen cabinets?

Posted by: • September 15, 2009

vintage-ge-metal-kitchen-cabinetsI love this photo posted on our vintage steel kitchen cabinet Forum…and I fussed with it to make it look like an old polaroid. These are 1957 yellow GE cabinets, for sale in St. Louis. How many readers have steel kitchen cabinets — are installing them — or on the hunt?

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