Just so’s you know, there are those days where I sacrifice aesthetics for: functionality. Six or seven years ago we pulled the aged blue plush carpet off the stairs to the basement and had the stairs refinished. Oh, the gleaming oak treads were sooooo pretty. We use the basement every day — our TV and two offices are down there, so this is heavily used staircase. Ummm, I only just about killed myself slipping on the oak three or four times a year, but it was my calculated risk in the name of beauty. Then enter: Astro the retro wonder dog. Little mister only had to slip-slide down the the stairs twice before we realized this situation would no longer work. We started carrying Astro up and down the stairs, and I went looking for carpet. Heck yeah there is more →

Retro is rockin’ — even in Korea, where consumers can now buy this LG Classic TV in orange or woodtone for the equivalent of US$215. Snaps to readers Jane and Alisa, who both sent in this tip hours apart yesterday. Oh my. Love, of course. Here’s more info that Jane picked up on the radio and her web research: Heck yeah there is more →

Bargello needpoint pillows were this week’s big learning for me. If you don’t have the time to look for vintage, and you have a little dough re mi to play with, head straight for all the mid-mod Bargello needlepoint pillows available from Jonathan Adler.  Heck yeah there is more →

Run, don’t walk, and start snapping up vintage Bargello needlepoint pillows before the rest of the design world goes nuts for them. These pillow are gorgeous. They are high-quality, handmade, graphic, backed with velvet or corduroy, assembled like a couture dress — and quite inexpensive. What more can you ask for? The incredible 1975 Bargello needlepoint “sampler” pillow above is currently on ebay and is featured in the next post.  Heck yeah there is more →

Of course, I would love a vintage 60s wall hanging of a house. It occurs to me that during my life, all I ever doodled were: Houses. I have a very deep rooted pathology. This is another treasure that I purchased from the fabulous estate sale time capsule. The photo above shows it handing the home’s entry way, so welcoming. Click through for a close up. Heck yeah there is more →