Wow, here is the latest notable time capsule house to come my way. It’s a gorgeous 1957 ranch house in Houston, listed by agent Robert Searcy, who gave me permission to use all of these great photos by TK Images Real Estate Photography. Thanks, also, to Yasmine, who tipped me off about this house — keep those tips coming, amazing readers!!! The photos were also just loaded on the MLS, so this time capsule loveliness is hot hot hot. Here’s how Robert describes this special home in the listing: Heck yeah there is more →
Swankienda, indeed: 1957 time capsule house in historic Houston, first time on the market — 24 photos
Posted by: • May 31, 2012
Retro headsets for your cell phone
Posted by: • May 31, 2012
These retro headsets to connect to your cell phone have shown up a couple times on the blog and then it seems Kate has one, too. Readers were all like, “I need one of those!” So, I jumped over to Amazon, and sure enough you can get these old school style hand sets (they are not really headsets) to plug into your mobile phone, from what looks to be several different manufacturers, in all kinds of retro colors. A fun gift for Dad for Father’s Day, maybe??
Find great vintage furniture deals on Craigslist — 4 tips to help improve your search
Posted by: • May 31, 2012
Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have all the luck finding awesome vintage furniture and accessories on Craigslist? I’ve had so many people tell me that I am extremely lucky to have found an item on Craigslist for a decent price so easily! Well, it isn’t always easy, and with the rise in popularity of shows set in the 1950s and 1960s like Mad Men, it isn’t getting any easier or less expensive. That’s why I am sharing my four tried-and-true tips to help you find the vintage furniture of your dreams on Craigslist.
Real wood wall paneling — cherry, oak, pine, cedar, pecan & more from States Industries
Posted by: • May 30, 2012
36 species, patterns and color of paneling
made with real wood veneers
Where to find real wood veneer wall paneling? The leader in this U.S. market, with the greatest selection, seems to be States Industries, based in Eugene, Oregon, since 1966. States Industries offers 36 different species, pattern and colors of wood paneling, including three kinds of grooving — (1) flat [no grooves], (2) beaded [bead board] or (3) traditional orangeburg. “Orangeburg” is the term for asymmetric pattern of vertical grooves we see in most all paneling from back in the day. States says the repeat is typically “vertical grooves at 4-8-4-7-9-6-4-6 inches across the panel’s face.” Now don’t you feel smarter for knowing this? Impress your friends and family at cocktail parties. Or watch their eyes glaze over, more likely.
Checkerboards, polka dots & surfer decor perk up the pink bathroom at Joe’s house
Posted by: • May 30, 2012
When Joe and his family bought their 1960 house in Ontario, there was one original feature remaining: The pink bathroom. They loved it, and for their bathroom design idea, they added surfer decor. It only took a few cues, and they were ready to make waves. My other takeaway from this example: So many midcentury bathrooms have such wonderful design features, you don’t need to do a heck of a lot to breathe happy new life into them. Joe writes: Heck yeah there is more →
12 new laminate countertops with retro modern style, from Wilsonart
Posted by: • May 29, 2012
Wilsonart is launching a new wave of laminates on June 1 — with one of their big themes, “What’s Old is New Again”. I asked their PR team to send me samples of the new designs, so that I could ogle the colors and patterns. Alas, we are currently living amidst of design wave of gray kitchens, so few of these laminates are what I’d describe as “midcentury cheerful”…they have serious gray undertones — very low chroma, I think is how you describe it. Even so, there are a number of neutrals — and even one aqua — that Retro Renovators in needs of new kitchen counter tops or bathroom counter tops will want to take a look at.
