by pam kueber on June 24, 2009
On days when warmth is the most important need of the human heart,
the kitchen is the place you can find it;
it dries the wet socks, it cools the hot little brain.”
—E.B. White, 1956
Need a place to point the station wagon this summer vacation? You’ll be sure to torture the pre-teens at “America’s Kitchens,” a new traveling exhibition organized by Historic New England. It has just begun its national tour in Concord, New Hampshire, where it will run through January 17, 2010. Next stops will be Long Island and Cape Cod. Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on May 20, 2009
ELIZABETH saw the Wigwam Village post and also writes in to suggest the Varsity Drive-In in Atlanta. It claims to be the world’s largest. Click through for her note and a link to this classic mega drive-in. Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on May 19, 2009
SUMMERTIME IS ON ITS WAY — and research from AAA says that in this economy, we’ll be taking a lot of road trips. Although…maybe not in our vintage 1941 Cessna Family Car of the Air (see post below). Over the past year we’ve spotlighted some cool places to visit:
Got more? Share them via a Comment and starting tomorrow I’ll start featuring Retro Roadtrip destinations based on your input.
by pam kueber on March 16, 2009
In my initial post about the Madonna Inn – the iconic 50s motel in St. Luis Obispo, Calif. – I showed five viva Las Vegas rooms. Today – some simply wonderful, kitschy rooms that throw in waterwheels, Flintstones fever, and lots of horsing around. Above is the “Old Mill Room” – I love its coral, chartreuse and teal mashup of color, not to mention the hot pink miniature mills. Now who thought of that?
Let’s always remember to: Not take ourselves too seriously with this decorating stuff… Click through for six more great vintage style bedrooms.
Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on February 10, 2009
The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California, provides all kinds of inspiration on how to give your bedroom some crazy retro flair. Today, I feature some of my favorite rooms – chosen for their delicious use of wallpaper.
Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on October 29, 2008
Our good friend Sue recently surprised her husband Pete with a weekend at Field Farm, a mid century home turned boutique B&B in nearby Williamstown, Mass. Pete was turning 50 – so I guess “mid century” was the theme! David and I went up to visit and of course, went gaga over the place, a 1948 Bauhaus-inspired masterpiece with a separate guest house, Folly Farm, which is its own amazing story. Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on September 26, 2008
Photo from Lustronconnection.org, a terrific Lustron site.
National Public Radio recently did an interesting report on the Museum of Modern Art’s exhibit, Home Delivery — all about the history — and now, re-emergence of interest in — pre-fab housing.
Interesting – because yet again, another example of living small’s growing appeal. At least in some quarters… Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on September 19, 2008
Pam,
I’ve been meaning to send you a couple things that I’ve had for awhile. Life is crazy …
A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I made a short weekend getaway trip to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. We’ve been meaning to do this for some time, because we haven’t really traveled much in our region, as we’re always making trips to visit family in the East. Of course, being an afficionado of all things vintage and a little bit off the beaten path, we stayed in one of the only three remaining concrete wigwam motels in the U.S., Wigwam Village No. 2, in Cave City, Kentucky. At one time there were seven of these motels; they were built in the 30s. Here’s the website: wigwamvillage.com. We had a great time; they were still furnished with the original unpeeled twig furniture, and had the original bathrooms. The lumpy mattress was pretty uncomfortable, but it was worth it. One of the funniest things about the place was that a bunch of little kids were playing cowboys and indians around the campfires their parents had built that night. It reminded me of my youth! These kids were dressed up with guns in holsters and Indian feather headdresses and war paint (all available for sale in the gift shop!). All incredibly non-PC but so much fun for those kids.
The towns surrounding Mammoth Cave are full of the sort of old roadside Americana that I just love. I’ve taken a bunch of photos of some of the MCM motel signs.
Oh yeah…and Mammoth Cave was pretty spectacular too!
Deb
Click on through… 6 photos in all… Heck yeah there is more…
by pam kueber on September 15, 2008
During last week’s laminate ramblings, I stumbled on this incredible 1959 house in Texas – it’s the original home of the founder of Wilsonart laminates, and it’s now owned by the company, serving as their archives and a space for corporate events.
All photos: Courtesy Wilsonart – who were fabulous, very responsive! Thank you, Diana Z.!
The story of the Wilson House’s salvation is right out of a retro renovation suspense novel. 10 years ago, when there was little appreciation for this type of mid century modern design and certainly not for something as pedestrian as laminates, the company decided to sell the house. But, it needed to gut it first due to the “problem” interior. The house had been built as a showcase for the use of laminates – so the stuff is everywhere but the ceilings and floors. It’s truly incredible. Heck yeah there is more…
by Pam Kueber on August 24, 2008
Sunday I try to feature something a little off the beaten path.
So how about this…
Absolutely positively the way coolest restaurant possibly ever!
A 1960 pink and gold-flecked-wallpaper bathroom. My definition of heaven!
I don’t even need to eat, I will just use the washroom.
Here’s what their website says:
Built in 1960, La Villa Basque Restaurant is a staple of the City of Vernon. The French/Basque style heritage has attracted over 1 million guests since its doors opened. The decor is original Googie Architecture with a Rat Pack martini lounge with contemporary overtures like plasma TV and progressive wine list. The menu evokes creations from Basque country, Paris and local nuances from Los Angeles that reflect the attitude of La Villa Basque. Set in the meat packing and produce districts in Los Angeles , La Villa Basque delivers the best ingredients readily available.
La Villa Basque Restaurant is owned by Mayor Leonis C. Malburg, who has presided over the City of Vernon for over 40 years. Leonis is the grandson of John B. Leonis Sr, who came to the U.S. in 1889 from the Cambo-French Basque region of the Pyrenees to start a new life. In 1905, John B. Leonis Sr. co-founded the City of Vernon. He would eventually become the mayor, a banker, a financier and an industrialist. His vision of a self sufficient city was passed down through the generations where Leonis C. Malburg carries on with La Villa Basque Restaurant. Come and experience history.
Run… don’t walk… and take a look at all the fantastic images of La Villa Basque at Jericl Cat’s photostream. Thanks, Eric, for sharing!
