The reason that I do not show more of my estate sale treasures is that, generally, I must move very fast to hide everything from Mr. Retro Renovation. He is not so amused by all the Stuff filling every storage space in the house these days. Yesterday, though, he left for a few hours and I was able to linger over and photograph my stash from the late 1940s/early 50s home that I explored on Friday. So what do I buy? Ever since my collage class and in reality, before, I adore “ephemera” — which is defined as things created that were never really intended to survive. Advertising is classic ephemera. So are Betty Brite cupcake holders. There are still some parchment paper bake cups inside. 13 more items after the jump. Heck yeah there is more →
Estate sale jackpot
Posted by: • October 11, 2009
Deco style metal sink cabinet: An all-new brand?
Posted by: • October 10, 2009
I went to an estate sale yesterday and in the basement gasped when I confronted this steel sink base — unlike any I’ve seen before. The deco-style design in the cabinet door is actually cut right into the outer layer of steel. I’ve identified 70 brands of steel kitchen cabinets from about 1935 onward. I wonder if this is a 71s? How exciting! Heck yeah there is more →
Vintage Kenmore dryer
Posted by: • October 10, 2009
There was a vintage Kenmore dryer in the basement of the estate sale – right next to the deco-style steel sink cabinet. Sigh. I don’t know how much electricity these vintage dryers use…probably a lot. But they are so beautiful — and goodness, they have lasted a long time, that’s for sure!
Granny wallpaper: Bring it on
Posted by: • October 9, 2009
In case you have not figured this out, I derive immense joy at thumbing my nose at reigning mass-market stylistas. If it’s “out” — I ask, “says who?” — and declare it “in.” Today: I declare that these novelty wallpapers are the cat’s pajamas. Heck yeah there is more →
Pretty mid-century light finial
Posted by: • October 9, 2009
I took this photo at an estate sale last year — I loved the crystal finial (if that’s what it’s called) on this pull-down light. This fixture was in the dining room. I like how the crystal trim gives the atomic fixture a little bit of traditional formality. This also makes me wonder: Could you take a lamp finial, and use it on the bottom of a pull-down lamp?
Where to buy packing, shipping or moving boxes, and more, at great prices
Posted by: • October 8, 2009
This is my husband’s favorite catalog — and favorite company: U-Line. If you need packing or shipping boxes…or any kind of organizing box or wrapping or a gazillion other things…check this catalog first. The prices are a gazillion times better than retail places like U-Haul (for moving) or Staples (for organizing.) They claim over 950 box sizes always in stock. Of course, you must buy in bulk but generally not 100′s – more like 10 or 25. And U-Line has great service, will deliver right to your door. The print catalog is free, and tons of good reading. Of course, the catalog is also online if you need something in a pinch. With all the online commerce going on today and into the future, my husband wants to buy stock in this company. I think he’s on to something. U-Line online – order print catalog there.
Hawaiian dress under black lite
Posted by: • October 8, 2009
Remember — black lite? This is the Hawaiian dress I wore to the recent Tiki weekend once the regular lights went down, and the show lights went on. This makes me want to wear my vintage tiki clothes all the time.
Merry Mint-In-Box (MIB) Madness from etsy
Posted by: • October 7, 2009
Heading toward the holidays, I also will focus on uncovering MIB merry magic over on etsy.com. Like this itsy bitsy teeny weeny flower power tiki bikini from VerucaVintage. Heck yeah there is more →
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