• Tiki style fabric from Tommy Bahama

    Tommy-Bahama-Aquatic-Allure-Henna-tiki-fabric

    If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect fabric for your tiki lounge — Tommy Bahama has some terrific options for your upholstery, drapes, pillows, bar cushions — all with a healthy dose of island flair. These patterns are bold, colorful and fun — all the things that should be present in a tiki [...]

    Decollage — Andre’s “Bohemian decay” living room wall

    decollage wall

    You know I like to collage. In my last class, I learned about collage’s opposite: Décollage. As I understand it: To collage — is to build up layers, artfully letting the various layers show through, for effect. To décollage — is to strip away layers, artfully leaving bits of each layer showing, for effect. Originally, [...]

    Flower power kids furniture — Moda from Room and Board

    modern crib

    Oh, this makes me want to be a kid again. A kid with rich parents. Reader Gerry saw my luv for Broyhill Premier Chapter One Furniture… the inspiration for my 2013 Color of the Year, Flower Power Lime Green… and pointed me at Room and Board’s Moda line of modern style children’s bedroom furniture. The [...]

    Vintage Virden lighting — 52 page catalog from 1959

    1959-Virden-light-catalog-cover

    Wow — 52 pages of vintage lighting in this delightfully illustrated Virden Lighting Catalog from 1959. Virden was one of the big name manufacturers of lighting in mid century modern America. Moe and Lightolier are two of our other favorites.  This big catalog covers all types of lighting — for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, hallways, dining [...]

    Making your own furniture? Use laminate instead of wood veneer — examples from the new Formica 100th anniversary collection

    library shelf with formica

    Do you make your own furniture? Or do you need to refinish old furniture to replace the veneer? Here’s an idea — use kitchen counter top laminate — instead of regular wood veneers — to create a durable, easy-to-clean — and if you like, very colorful — surface. Here are terrific examples of furniture covered [...]

    An interview with Vladimir Kagan – Classic Kagan furniture designs being handcrafted again

    erica-wilson

    “Mid century was very original, very meaningful…. There was a revolution in design coming out of the depression and war years. It was anything goes….There was such variety of designs. Mid century has a lot to offer.” — Vladimir Kagan I am easily star struck, but I must admit: I was at my most star [...]

    200 New Old Stock 1960s and 1970s vintage lights from Moon Lighting Vintage on etsy

    vintage lights

    Super thanks to reader Hannah, who spotted this one: A big stash of New Old Stock (NOS) mid century modern and postmodern lights for sale from etsy seller Moon Lighting Vintage. Based on Hannah’s tip, I reached out pronto to get permission to show the photos and to feature the back story. Yup, there is [...]

    18 different patterns of vintage wallpaper in David’s Australian bungalow — 50+ photos

    mid century modern house australia

    An “exaggerated, joyous, and smile factor” vintage wallpaper frenzy I have long had a theory that it is nigh on impossible to wallpaper just one room. Once a bit of wallpaper goes up onto the wall, it begs for company. It begs for a party. And holey Down Under, a party is just what reader [...]