When I originally discussed using knotty pine in kitchens, there were comments expressing concern about the wood’s appropriateness in the relatively humid kitchen environment. When I was at the Southern Spring Home & Garden Show last week, I ran into this company, Union Church Millworks of Covington, Virginia. They had some really gorgeous woods on display including “vintage knotty pine,” so I asked Kim Bennett Powers, the sales and consulting manager on hand, the knotty knotty pine question. Heck yeah there is more →
1940s decorating style
Posted by: • March 8, 2010
What are the key elements of 1940s interior design? What colors, designs, patterns and “feel” did we generally see? And why? To my mind, based on the advertising illustrations and magazine articles that I’ve seen from the period, typical designs from the immediate postwar 1940s – say, starting with 1946 – through to about 1953, had this variety of characteristics: innocent, sentimental, sunny, sanitary, patriotic, traditional, Hollywood glamour, and carryover streamline-deco-jazz age from the prewar period. Special thanks to: Bradbury & Bradbury, which made this slide for me. It also showcases one of their 1940s reproduction wallpapers. Heck yeah there is more →
Taylor sets the mood for my first-ever Save The Pink Bathrooms talk
Posted by: • March 7, 2010
I couldn’t stop smiling all day long after Taylor — a Retro Renovation reader from Charleston – showed up at my Save The Pink Bathrooms talk in Charlotte wearing our first-ever Save The Pink Bathrooms tee shirt. That’s Elaine, another reader, over Taylor’s right shoulder, and over by the screen you can see Ken, A/V expert for all my talks. The whole thing was A BLAST — especially Friday, when lots of readers showed up in force. Scathing Jane came from Atlanta! Lauren came from near Philadelphia! Teresa, Linda, Micheal, Edwin, Pete, Hugh, Cathy, Lila, Gail… oh my, there were more, too! You all get exclamation points! Heck yeah there is more →
Talkin’ retro, live on “Charlotte Today”
Posted by: • March 4, 2010
Woo hoo. Here I am live on WCNC-TV’s “Charlotte Today” noontime show, talking about mid-century style with Dayvee Sutton, who was just wonderful to work with. I can’t tell you how weird this all feels. Have you ever seen anyone who grins so much — I am such a dork. But it sure was fun. tee hee.
Miniature schnauzer Astro says, “Love the House You’re In”
Posted by: • March 2, 2010
While I’m away speaking at the Southern Spring Home & Garden Show, I won’t be posting. Expect me back online Sunday, March 7. If you want a little dose between now and then be sure to sign up for my Thursday newsletter, which is ready to go. Meanwhile: Astro the wonder dog is taking care of the house and keeping DH company. And, courtesy Mel Kolstad and her wondeful monthly collage Astro reminds us all to: Love the House You’re In. Last week a reader over on the Facebook Fan page also chimed in, “Happiness is wanting what you have.” Yes, that about sums it up. Woof woof.
Home shows then & now: A look back at the first Carolina show in 1961
Posted by: • March 1, 2010
One of the really cool things about my participation in the Southern Spring Home & Garden Show in Charlotte, N.C., which starts Wednesday, is that this marks the 50th anniversary of the show — and under the ownership and direction of the same family: First, Robert and Joan Zimmerman and continuing now into the next generation with their son David. What a wonderful opportunity to ask a few questions about 50 years of change. Heck yeah there is more →
Dorothy Thorpe roly poly glasses, 1956 chrome soap dishes & more mid mod MIB madness
Posted by: • March 1, 2010
Denise recently turned me on to Dorothy Thorpe roly poly glassware. Delicious, indeed. When I get back from Charlotte, I think that I will be doing a lot more on vintage barware. Also in this group, some interesting chrome soap dishes circa 1955 and 1956, and a mint-in-box Dishmaster with a groovy old-style sunburst cover plate.Disclosure: Retro Renovation is a member of the ebay partner network and receives a small commission on any item you bid on and buy when you click into ebay from here (a great way to support the blog. Many thanks.)
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