I first heard from Bryan and Alex on Dec. 10. These two cuties from Warren, Mich., explained that family was coming for Christmas on Dec. 23 — driving them to complete their kitchen renovation in under two weeks. Would this ambitious duo be up to the task? Heck yeah there is more →
Can Bryan and Alex retro renovate their kitchen in 13 days?
Posted by: • December 26, 2009
Merry Mamie Christmas
Posted by: • December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas, everyone, from Ike and Mamie and me, too, of course. Thanks to Carol Hegeman, Supervisory Historian at the Eisenhower National Historic Site, for providing this wonderful 1957 Christmas card from the Eisenhower collection, featuring Mame and Ike in a Crosley utility vehicle. (Yes – that’s the same Crosley as produced steel kitchen cabinets, refrigerators and the like.) The Eisenhowers’ Christmas cards were designed and produced by Hallmark. Each year the Eisenhowers used a formal card, for obligatory mailings. More interesting (to me), Mamie also had personal cards designed — “fun” cards that she may have put on gifts she was giving, Carol explained. No question: This is a fun one. I wish you all a safe, happy and healthy holiday. Credit: National Park Service, Eisenhower National Historic Site.
Georgia Peachez’ Christmas wreath
Posted by: • December 24, 2009
Oh my goodness, this Christmas wreath from Georgia Peachez makes me happy happy happy. Drats. I know what (else) I’ll be hoarding from estate sales and thrift shops this year. Beautiful work, Suzy.
Drexel Declaration settee by Kipp Stewart
Posted by: • December 24, 2009
Drexel Declaration furniture is so beautiful. It definitely is one of my favorites, and I think it is still “around” at decent prices. This Kipp Stewart Drexel Declaration bench or settee, on craigslist in Washington, D.C. / Northern Virginia has such lovely lines. Heck yeah there is more →
Vintage Las Vegas Cloth in 10 colors
Posted by: • December 23, 2009
Following up on my post about vintage rhino cloth, here is my little stash of vintage Waverly “Las Vegas cloth” from the same estate sale time capsule. This pattern — called “Caprice” — is quite “interesting” — there are atomic subparticles mixed with… maple leaves? The colors include mocha, mauvedust, sandalwood and seafoam. Sublime, each and every one. Heck yeah there is more →
Taking requests for 2010
Posted by: • December 22, 2009
THE PARTY is only getting started here at Retro Renovation. I have a feeling that American design in 2010 is going to be even more retrograde-retrocrazed, than ever. Looking ahead to year #3 for the blog, I’d love to hear from you. What do you want to see more of… less of…? What are your favorite features? What are your biggest needs? How can the blog help you out with your projects, even more?
Vintage barkcloth, Waverly “Spring Frolic”
Posted by: • December 21, 2009
At the recent Adams, Mass. estate sale time capsule, I found some samples of this beautiful Waverly drapery fabric upstairs. The pattern is called “Spring Frolic” and the stash included all six colorways. The fabric is so gorgeous — and I would have trouble choosing one color over the other. I’ve scanned the samples in high-resolution (below) so that if you click on the images in the Gallery you can see all the slubbing — and the metallic gold. Heck yeah there is more →
Kaarin and Bob and the story of their Seeburg juke box
Posted by: • December 20, 2009
Here is something to truly lust after: A vintage Seeburg juke box. It belongs to my friend Kaarin and her husband Bob. They own Berkshire Books in Chatham, New York, specializing in used, rare and out-of-print books. If you are ever in the area you should be sure to stop there, they really know their stuff. Of course, literate types they are, the juke box has a great story…which includes a finicky predecessor, an undertaker-turned-repairman, and ill-made Russian vacuum tubes ordered by the caseload. Kaarin writes: Heck yeah there is more →
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