Thanks to reader Terri, who sent in this great story about the “Ashtray House” — a 1960s modern in New Orleans, designed by Albert Ledner, an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright. Most notable about this house: The exterior is decorated with 1,200 gold ashtrays. You can see their profile pretty well, above. What a great idea — very clever! To see the house, you can watch a video on WGNO-TV… and, you can also look at pretty big photos, like the one above, on the MLS listing here. $729,000.
“Ashtray house” designed by Albert Ledner
Posted by: • November 9, 2011
Vintage light with movable ceiling track + recessed in-wall toaster
Posted by: • November 9, 2011
We have seen these movable ceiling tracks in homes before, but this is the first time I have ever seen on for sale. I am very tempted. What a great idea. But hey: I do not know whether the track is to code… and I have been told the pulldown mechanism for the light is not to code. So please: Consult with a professional so that you can make informed decisions. Be sure to always have the wiring in your vintage lighting inspected — even New Old Stock. Also in this carousel: A very desirable recessed in-wall toaster! Tip to using the ebay carousel: To go to a particular item, click on its photo (NOT on the ebay logo) — then, click on the lime green “View and Bid” box, which will take you to ebay. Disclosure: When you buy anything from these ebay carousels or after you click into ebay here
Preventing grasscloth, wallpaper and hardwood floor “tan lines”?
Posted by: • November 9, 2011
Several years ago, I had grasscloth installed in my living room and adjacent dining room. As you can sort of see here, we have colonial-style trim on the bottom of the wall, going all the way around the open concept 45′ x 15′ space — yes, it’s big. We wanted to add a bit more mid mod vibe, but keep it subtle considering the broad expanse, so we landed on the grasscloth. Several years have passed… and this weekend, I was hanging some recently acquired art on this wall. The bullfighter painting needed to be raised up a few inches to accommodate the new arrangement and — peek a boo — your tan lines are showing! Heck yeah there is more →
Daltile small mosaics in 41 colors — including perfect 1970s avocado, orange & brown
Posted by: • November 8, 2011
I went surfing on the Daltile and American Olean websites to check what might be new (retro) in their tile lineups. Sure enough, I see that Daltile has introduced a wonderful looking line of 1/2-inch, glazed porcelain, ‘Athena Mosaic’ tiles — suitable for floors, walls, counter tops and even exteriors — in 41 colors — including an unashamedly-named “Avocado”. Not “Dried Split Pea”. Not “Fresh Algae”. Not “Cow Poop After Eating Grass”. No: Avocado. Good on you, Daltile marketers, for proudly standing behind Team Avocado! There are a bundle of other great colors in this collection, as well –>
Basement bowling alley in 1962 Michigan time capsule house for sale — heaven!
Posted by: • November 7, 2011
Mega thanks to reader Ron for spotting this gem — a 1962 home in Rockford, Michigan (near Grand Rapids) that includes a spectacular two-lane bowling alley in the basement. This is beyond amazing! The house is currently for sale, it’s listed at $189,000 by Theresa Robinson of 616 Realty. I talked to Theresa via phone to get permission to show this photo, and she explained that the house has been in the same family since they built it — with great care — in 1962. The original family member loved to entertain … and yes, loved to bowl! He got the bowling alley components from a bowling alley in Lansing, Mich. that was going out of business. Then, he built the house around the bowling alley. Theresa said that the local newspaper wrote a feature story about the house when it was finished.
The house is a wonderful time capsule a number of other ways — it does not appear to have been re-muddled. Original bathrooms, kitchens upstairs and down, great space, great finishes. But the bowling alley: Blow me away!
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Azrock Cortina Autumn Haze flooring in four kitchens — any more of you out there?
Posted by: • November 7, 2011
Every fall, I have a really nice man named Ken come in to completely strip, then re-polish, the vinyl floor tile in my kitchen. It is well worth it. Even using heavy duty equipment, it takes him several hours to do the floor. I think it is well worth the expense. Not only am I am getting too old to be down on my hands and knees doing this, he gets a much better shine than I ever did. So far, I know of three other readers who have used my floor — Azrock Cortina Autumn Haze — and I have photos of their kitchens, too –> Heck yeah there is more →
Upload photos of your thrifty finds
Posted by: • November 6, 2011
Right quick, the Queen of Fifty Cents added this photo to our uploader — a huge smile within 5 minutes of waking up for me! I went to the Re-Store the other day and buy some *normal...ish* stuff, though — including a NOS American-Standard Fiesta kitchen sink, avocado, with hudee ring — for $5. Whoopee! Now, need a house to go with. What vintage trouble have you been finding lately. Or, I should say, what vintage trouble has been finding you? The uploader is locked, loaded and ready for you to add your rusty (or not) beauteousness, too –> Heck yeah there is more →
NOS
Posted by: • November 5, 2011
All NOS here… my favorite is probably the set of three cone lights from Harmony House. The listing — and I guess the box — says these are for outdoor use. But, I would never use fiberglass shades outdoors – ? Tip to using the ebay carousel: To go to a particular item, click on its photo (NOT on the ebay logo) — then, click on the lime green “View and Bid” box, which will take you to ebay. Disclosure: When you buy anything from these ebay carousels or after you click into ebay here
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