by Pam Kueber on November 8, 2007
Following up on yesterday’s 40s papers — here are the two great 50s vintage reproductions from Bradbury & Bradbury. I love Atomic Doodle, it reminds me of the vintage paper that I was able to finally hunt down for my kitchen. On the other hand, my BWW web genius advisor took an immediate shine to Googieland. I think that by Stephen’s analysis below, I’m wacky (true!), and that my advisor is free-form and unconventional (K…comment, please?). Psychoanalysis by wallpaper preference? Makes total sense to me.
The colorways for both of these papers are just beautifully done. Now, I wish that I hadn’t papered my entire living/dining room last year in grasscloth, which was my only vintage-style fallback at the time. Drats and double-drats! But luck for everyone else out there in retro renovation land.
Thanks again to Stephen Bauer, artistic director of Bradbury & Bradbury. Here’s what he has to say about these two wallpaper finds…
And, be sure to read all my wallpaper posts for the full range of choices:
Atomic Doodle: “A pattern that mirrors so many design elements of the 50s. It’s a great paper and so evocative of the wackiness of that decade’s creative energy. We were excited to find it.”
(Two of three colorways shown; third is ‘taupe’)
Googieland: “‘Googie’ was a somewhat pejorative term that Modernist architects used to describe the more ‘free form’ and unconventional ‘boomerangy’ style become prevalent in 1950s pop cultural design. It seemed a fitting name for this free form, (and fun) vintage style.”
Four colorways in all, here are two:
by Pam Kueber on November 8, 2007
RetroRenovation.com is very excited to host the first unveiling of four, new atomic wallpapers from Bradbury & Bradbury — scheduled here, for Nov. 15!
Be sure to tune in next Thursday morning to get the first look anywhere at the new papers that are going on sale.
As a special treat, we also will have an extensive Q&A with Stephen Bauer, artistic director of Bradbury & Bradbury, on the genesis of these papers, and the whole line.
What an honor and a treat to be a part of the continued launch of these terrific reproductions of postwar papers — the only ones I know of — and from such a renowned manufacturer.
Be sure to tune in next Thurs., Nov. 15…and tell your friends.
by Pam Kueber on November 7, 2007
I thought I had died and gone to heaven…I fell off my chair…when I first saw that Bradbury & Bradbury, long renowned for its gorgeous art wallpapers for Victorian and Arts & Crafts homes, has introduced a line of mid century modern wallpapers. I’ve known this company for 15 years, since I began restoring a house when I lived in Michigan. My neighbor Donna did her whole Victorian house in their paper, and it’s breathtaking.
Now, we can have great vintage reproduction wallpaper for our mid century jewels, as well! Look at these 40s papers — they are so sweet and beautiful, I can’t decide which I like best.
Stephen Bauer, artistic director of Bradbury & Bradbury, gives us the inside scoop on why he chose each of them:
Apple Betty: “The most delicate of the 40s papers,” he says, “it’s probably the most suited for dining rooms as well as the kitchen and nook. And who doesn’t like a big helping of Grandma’s apple betty?”
Tea Pot: “Well, this is a real company favorite. It has that beautiful selection of colors found in so many postwar kitchens and kitchen accessories. And if cuteness were criminal, this paper would be public enemy number one.”
Geranium: “A real ‘late deco’ paper with the very common scallop feature found in (and on) 40s homes. A botanical charmer.”
Sunnyside: “With its metallic silver highlight on the lattice work, this paper is always bright and positive. Who needs coffeee in the morning?? Hard to ‘walk with your blues on parade’ with this pattern to greet you every morning!”
And…Scallop Trim: “It’s really a perfect complement to these papers, and such small ‘trims’ were very common in 30s and 40s decorating schemes. One version has a cream colored scallop that would work with any of the papers, and one has a metallic silver that really looks great with ‘Sunnyside’ in particular, (which also has silver in it.) One caution: Always hang the scallops with the curved side down, or it won’t smile at you anymore!”
Thank you, Stephen! For samples or to order, go to Bradbury & Bradbury’s website.
Tomorrow – the 50s papers, including Stephen’s insights on them!
And,be sure to see all my wallpaper posts for the full range of alternatives.
by Pam Kueber on October 4, 2007
It’s fantastic that you can still get original-design Heywood Wakefield furniture, built new. In 1992 a Miami company bought the rights to the HW furniture line and began producing it to original specifications.
Heywood Wakefield “blonde” furniture was the epitome of 40s and 50s decorating. If you need a sofa – they have several models from which to choose, and a number of fabric choices. You can also provide your own fabric. I’ll do a post on Maharam and melinamade.com fabrics tomorrow – they both have great designs from documented vintage patterns.
Of course, it’s still great to buy original vintage pieces – if you can find them. Regarding vintage sofas – it’s been my experience that it’s very expensive all costs in — what with the need for the piece itself, the fabric and the upholsterer. In addition, if there have been smokers or pets, you’ve go to rip the whole thing down to the springs. Perhaps better, with sofas, to buy the reproduction and start fresh. Check these out on heywood-wakefield.com.
by Pam Kueber on February 15, 2007
I found this great buy on a reproduction Tulip Table – only $150 or so, from CB2 (Crate and Barrel’s new retail endeavor) plus shipping. Note, this table has a matte finish – while the chairs that I posted on have a glossy finish. But the difference doesn’t bother me. And the total price was quite right compared to buying the Saarinen original – as great as that would have been!
Direct to table on cb2.com:
by Pam Kueber on April 3, 2006
My husband and I have found this book to be incomparable, in terms of generating ideas for every aspect of decorating our 1951 ranch. The interiors were all created by interior designers charged with selling Armstrong flooring. As such, they’re “over decorated” — but that’s part of what makes this book so AWESOME. I’ve paged through it at least 1000 times, so far! It is well worth the cost.
Final note: You can see, I am not a midcentury modern snob. Sure, I like the expensive, renowned designer pieces. But only the rich lived like that. I love the eclectic mix – the fact that ambitious women were turning their creativity toward their home – and of course, the exuberance – of the period.
