I am posting late (my time) Friday, because I just saw online that Rejuvenation has introduced this new exterior, midcentury modern door set hardware. The Samba is described as “a replica of an original that found its way to us years ago. It spotlights the dynamic dance between dramatic mid-’60s sophistication and the clean simplicity of Mid-Century Modern design.” I would call it brutalist. When I can connect with Rejuvenation on Monday, I’ll get more background. The website says that this is an exclusive — you can only get this from Rejuvenation. More: “At a height of 16in., the Samba comes with the Schlage Orbit locking set and everything you need for a door with a 2-3/8in. or 2-3/4in. backset, plus an optional matching deadbolt.” It comes in three finishes — polished brass, polished chromes, and brushed chrome. Looks like it is $280. The first reader who finds me a photo with an authentic vintage one of these wins my everlasting admiration and if I get my act together, one of my vintage Fuller Brush salesman spatulas. Link: Samba doorset from Rejuvenation.

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Put a Bird In It!

How long have you been making these — and what got you going?

I’ve been creating the upcycled birdhouses and bird feeders for almost a year and a half now.  It all started with a vintage copper coal bin.  The handle, the front handle, the slope of what would be a roof all began to come together in my head and I just went with it!

What is your background? Did you already have the welding skills, etc?

My professional background is Graphic Design (for almost 20 years now).  It definitely helps with the creative side of things.  I’ve got lots of tools in general, but my background of stained glass work also helped get things rolling with the soldering of the materials.

Where do you get all your its and bits to use for the items? Is your garage/storage a vintage hoarding nightmare?

My garage is by definition “a hoarding nightmare”!  At least once every couple of weeks, I’ve got to stop and unhappy clean the whole area back up to have a clean

 surface and area to start over with.  I find most of my parts, pieces and general junk through family and friends out and about coming across things, garage and estate sales, and antiques/collectibles stores.

Are the enclosed birdhouses really livable?

The upcycled birdhouses I create are actually livable as long as the new owner keeps them out of direct sunlight (hot summer) and out of cold, exposed winds (winter).  But, honestly, most of my customers look at me like I’m crazy when I ask where they are going to put them outside.  Most are used for decorations and accents around their homes.

These are just so cool — and the last photo is just a small example of Brian’s bird photography. One talented guy! Thank you, Brian!

Links:

• You can buy Brian’s birdhouse creations (there are lamps, too) from his GadgetSponge story on etsy.com.
• Read his blog here.

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We have a wonderful 1970 brick ranch that has some great retro touches. My husband and I are currently renovating our basement and I need some help with what to do with the stair railing. Could I submit a photo to you for your thoughts and help from the readers? Your site is a recent discover for me and I so enjoy it!

Well, sure, Heather. I ask her for some more info on her “Retro Renovation story” and she quickly responds:

Thanks for taking a look at this!  We bought this 1970 brick ranch two years ago just after we got married.  Funnily enough, neither of us wanted a brick house or a ranch, but when we first saw this one, it called our name!  It was a great decision!  The bones of the house were in great shape, especially upstairs.  A fresh coat of paint and refinishing the original wood floors (hidden under some nasty carpet) were all that was needed before we moved in.  The basement has been a different story!  After gutting the existing stud walls and paneling due to water damage – and fixing said water infiltration – we are now in the process of rebuilding.  I am looking for your help on the stair railing.  You can see from the attached picture that a portion of the stair will be open to the den.  The shaded areas show where the new walls will go.  All the rail/ picket combinations for purchase at the big-box stores are traditional, turned-wood pickets that do not fit this house or my style!  Any suggestions?  Our budget is modest and we will probably do the work ourselves – so a hand-crafted, wrought-iron number is probably out of the question!  I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

By the way, perusing your site has given me all kinds of ideas for the rest of the house.  I’m not sure my husband is going to like you

Thanks,
Heather

Thank you for your nice comments, Heather. Hope I don’t get you in trouble with DH, but that’s what marriage is all about, isn’t it? The honey-do projects…. On to your question…

My idea for a 1970s style stair railing:

I immediately *knew* what my suggestion was for your stair railing: It’s like the one shown here. (Note, I cannot use this image on my site as it is copyrighted from istock.com. I tried to find it and buy it from istock.com but could not find it.)

Update: Reader Joel created this design for Heather in response to this post. Yes! Perfect 1970s -- just what I was thinking!

I think that this style of railing — which we still see on decks today — was quite common on the interiors of 1970s homes. And I bet you could replicate it yourself, pretty easily. Walking down the stairs you are not going to see the “pretty side” of the railing, but you will see it from the basement room itself. I’d look for good wood that will take a stain well, I think that’s key, along with general craftsmanship. And, of course, check with your local building inspector to make sure you are designing and installing the rail according to current building codes — and safely.

Readers, what do your stair rails look like?
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