Are the cords and pulls on your window treatments safe for small children? Are you sure? In December 2009, the Consumer Products Safety Commission and the Window Covering Safety Council announced a “voluntary corrective action plan” to repair Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds to prevent the risk of strangulation to young children. Just last month, Consumer Reports posted on their Safety blog, a toddler died in this tragic manner. Also, you know that I am a big fan of pinch pleat draperies — but be aware that standard traverse rod kits may come with “looped” draw cords that can also pose strangulation to children (and pets, too). If you have any window coverings of any sort that include a cord or pull, please take the time to familiarize yourself with the issue and to follow the retrofit (“make ‘em safer”) instructions for a variety of window treatments on the website hosted by the Window Covering Safety Council. Some of the retrofit fixes look easy. Some are more complicated — but take the time, make the fix, be safe. In fact, you’re likely spring cleaning tomorrow morning or this weekend — put this first on your list to check!
Congratulations, Leslie & Aaron: #1 favorite residence in Los Angeles — and thanks to all the Retro Renovation readers who voted!
Hip hip hooray for Leslie & Aaron and their “Kramer House” and to all the Retro Renovation readers who may have had a hand in helping them come out #1 — that’s NUMBER ONE — in the La Conservancy’s competition to name the favorite residence in Los Angeles. Way to go! I first wrote about “Leslie’s Kitschy Dreamboat Time Capsule” almost two years ago, and since that time, it’s become one of my most popular posts ever.
And what’s not to love about this classic 1966 suburban LA ranch house that includes a conversation pit, big rock wall fireplaces and an amoeba-shaped swimming pool?
And then there are Leslie and Aaron — who don’t take it all *too* seriously, filling the house with Moss lamps, peacock sculptures and light-up paintings… but who *do* take it seriously enough to have applied for and received historic certification for the house. They are great caretakers and surely, lovin’ the house they’re in. Leslie also sends me lots of story ideas, here are some:
- Readers’ favorite junque shoppes
- The first time Retro Renovation readers bumped into each other and realized they had the blog in common
- Collectible Baranger Diamond displays
Congrats, you two — when are you starting the margarita blender? And: Muchisimas gracias a todos who voted! Read more about the winners here at LA Conservancy.
Newsflash: California Paints introduces “the most authentic historic color collection ever created” including 55 mid-century colors
Big news in Retro Renovation world: California Paints has just introduced a new 20th Century paint palette including 23 historically based colors for 1940s and 1950s homes:
Where to buy concrete screen blocks – comprehensive list
Where to find decorative concrete blocks – also known as architectural screen blocks? This question is coming up a lot, and I would like to build the definitive list right here. I tend to believe that you need to buy this stuff locally or regionally — or the shipping costs will kill you. Many thanks to Scathing Jane for researching this list, and to JHL III who sent me the question (and one repeat find) prompting me to finally feature Jane’s list. Do you know of a supplier in your area? Send me an email or leave a comment below, and I will add it to this list. Alphabetically, here’s what we have so far: Heck yeah there is more →
Bunny slippers, Armstrong books and Mad Men for Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day is two weeks from today — are you ready? Also, a little commercial: I have three basic ideas, and all are available on Amazon… If you buy anything from Amazon by clicking through any link on my page, I get a teensy commission… It helps keep the blog boat afloat, many thanks! Here are three retro-fun ideas: Heck yeah there is more →
The largest bathroom salvage yard in the world – now on video
Breaking News: New video now available from Miscellanea Discontinued Bathroomware — aka Broken Bog — the largest bathroom fixture salvage yard in Britain and, I imagine, the world. I am going to England for vacation this summer, and hope to visit. Yes. “What did you do on your summer vacation?” Ummm: “I went to see 50,000 old tubs, toilets and sinks — it was heaven.”
Design ideas for a built-in planter
Lynne writes, asking for some advice:Hi Pam – About two weeks ago my husband and I purchased a 1959 ranch home in Florida. Just inside the front door is a brick planter with wooden slats that divides the dining room from the living room. I have seen this type of thing before, but have not come across any solutions as to what might be done with it. I don’t want to demolish the thing, but would like to get rid of the slats. There is dirt and gravel in the planter. Perhaps you or your readers may have some ideas.Thanks,Lynne in Kansas
NOS MIB etsy lust
Avoiding many other critical tasks stacking up on my never-ending-gobstopper to-do list, I poked around Etsy.com yesterday looking for New-Old-Stock beautifulness. If I only had a warehouse, a swiss bank account and personal chef and trainer so’s I could fit into any of these women’s clothes. First up: Vintage embroidered go go boots from retrothreadz. I had lace-up books like this growing up, but mine were that kind of shiny black crushed-up vinyl. I wore them to death. Heck yeah there is more →
Become a fan
