From the category archives:

living room

Mid-century modern den for fashion dolls

by pam kueber on October 13, 2009

mid-century-den-maryann-royMaryann Roy’s fashion doll den is provides some decorating inspiration, although you must be no taller than 12″ to actually sit on one of those bolstered benches. I like the acrylic panels set into the paneling. On sale for $150.  Suitable for 12″ fashion dolls. www.maryannroy.com

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mid-century-sectionalReader Lara spotted this amazing green brocade mid-century sectional, available from Etsy seller RedEyeVintage. The sofa is in Portland, Maine, and it’s $4,600. To be sure, that is a lot of money — but I have never seen a sectional this beautiful. And apparently it’s in phenomenal shape – kept under the proverbial plastic slip covers for years. Note the variation in the tufting on the sofa back. It also has side table built in at one end, and the ottoman converts to a coffee table. This one – pure lust. Update: Seller Marnie is thrilled I’m featuring this. If you are really interested – mention this site and she will take $250 off the purchase price.

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Vintage auto upholstery

by pam kueber on July 22, 2009


This vintage auto upholstery for 50s and 60s Fords, Chevys and Chryslers would be good for any number of upholstery projects – and each design appears to be available in multiple yardages, at a reasonable price. There is certainly nothing more durable than auto upholstery. I love the colors and textures, too.

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suzie20products09suzie20products01Someone in my house collects both new and vintage souvenir spoons. Someday, I think we must have them all transformed into a chandelier like this one by Australian artist Suzy Stanford. Ms. Stanford also upholsters vintage club chairs by patching together vintage tea towels. Love love love these big cozy hugs of chair. We have a nice little collection of tea towels going, too — but I actually use them to dry dishes, they are the best.

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vintage-retro-vinylI RECENTLY STUMBLED upon this company, C.F. Stinson, which seems to carry upholstery weight vinyl in about 2000 styles and colors. I am not kidding. For example, this very classic, retro-style “Avant” line, which reminds me of vintage naugahyde, comes in 110 colors alone. Surely one is just right to reupholster your vintage Daystrom or Arvin dinette? In addition, there are many other more ‘decorative’ styles. Heck yeah there is more…

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angled-hairpin-furniture-legs-from-lowesDO YOU HAVE FURNITURE that needs new legs? Or maybe you want to build an off-the-floor TV stand or bookshelf or…?

Well, reader Noah sent in this great find: Tapered legs…and Angled Mounting Plates…that can be found at Lowe’s and then used to update any piece of furniture. Inexpensive – stylish – and fun. You should see the TV stand he built in no time at all – terrific! Heck yeah there is more…

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Today is Woodard patio furniture day – with this feature on current styles still made. My local furniture store has sets of new Woodard in stock, and I really liked the quality and the look. And to be sure, it’s nice to get the new enamel finish. My only nit with the new stock is that I believe the scale is significantly larger than vintage Woodard. The smaller scale seems better, in my view. But either way, new or vintage, these are great picks for your patio, deck, or porch.

Take a look at their Briarwood collection… and Windflower Mesh collection. And, see the Café Collection, Dining Tables and Tables & Accessories links on these pages for tables and other pieces in the same mesh wrought iron – without the decorative flowers that differentiate the two collections above.

Link to Woodard site.

This post was originally published on Oct. 15, 2007


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vintage-danish-modern-dux-chairShelly found a wonderful Danish Modern side chair and wants some ideas for upholstery. She writes:

Hey there!
Just wanted to share my $8.50 Goodwill find….the original upholstery was still in tact on the seat, but unfortunately gone from the top…it’s marked Dux, original import made in Sweden…I would love to know more about it, and what fabric you think would be appropriate for reupholstering???  Thanks so much! Shelly

Heck yeah there is more…

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Drexel Profile upholstered furniture from 1959-1960

by Pam Kueber on January 24, 2009

drexel-profile-sofa-crop

You can now see the entire  Drexel Profile furniture line – including five pages of upholstered furniture from 1959 and more than 20 pages of case goods from 1960 – available in our growing Furniture Favorites section. Thank to Femme1 for nabbing the additional images of the upholstered pieces from the nice folks at Drexel Heritage. And readers – keep letting me know of your favorite brands. I want to keep building the furniture history wonderland this year. Click thru here if you want a quick look at the upholstered pieces – I promise, they are delicious – absolute classics that everyone is mimicking today! Heck yeah there is more…

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History of the Drexel Profile line – new page added

by pam kueber on January 13, 2009

drexel-bedrooms

Thanks to Femme1 for obtaining a first solid dose of info and history on the Drexel Profile line – including this complete 1960 catalog, courtesy of the excellent customer service at Drexel Heritage.  I’ve now started a stand-alone page on the line, which you can check out anytime.

Click thru here for info on the designer John Van Koert and a 23-photo catalog from 1960…and check back on the Profile Page anytime for future updates. Heck yeah there is more…

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