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.

I am not sure yet where this will go in my home. But it will, I love it so.

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Finding quirky accessories can be the most fun (and never-ending) part of owning an eclectic mid-century modern or mid-century modest home. Here is my vintage Stangl wigstand, purchased 15 years ago, well before I lived the retro life. Isn’t she beautiful? She’s a blond, circa 1950. I think we named her Betty. Well, Betty sits on our built-in bookcase and always has a vintage hat of some sort propped on her head. This one is an amazingly lovely antique crocheted lace night cap (I think) lined with satin — one of my many wonderful finds from the time capsule estate sale last week. Peeking from behind — a vintage Shriner’s hat I bought 10 years ago at a thift store in Canada.

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Daltile snuck these in on me: Authentic terrazzo tiles. Terrazzo is a wonderful authentic retro product for mid-century renovations — and this is the first product of its kind that I have seen.  To be sure, buying terrazzo tiles is gonna be a lot easier than trying to find someone to lay a complete (albeit seamless) terrazzo floor. These terrazzo tiles  are available in 19 color ways, as either 12″-, 16″-, or 24″-squares. The 24″ squares are almost an inch thick.

It looks like Daltile is specifying these for living area floors  — not bathrooms or kitchens or places where water would likely spill and the terrazzo could get slippery. And, you can put them on walls. Remember, this is essentially polished marble — the terrazzo are ‘marble chips’. In my mind, terrazzo always has been a floor most appropropriate for warm climates … it’s a cold surface. In fact, get yourself a 24″ square of this tile – and you could use it to roll out pie crusts, I bet! Many thanks to reader Kimberly — a new homeowner (woo hoo!) for spotting these tiles first, I saw them in her flickr photostream. Can’t wait to see your house, K! Here’s the link to the Daltile page.

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When it comes to bedroom rugs, I’m a big fan of Capel braided rugs. I have two braided rugs from Capel, which I originally purchased about 15 years ago. I’ve been in three houses…and was always able to find a perfect spot for them. You can get them on sale for great prices, in all sizes, in a gazillion colorways, they last forever, and because they are multicolored they can fit with many different color schemes — they give you flexibility…these things have legs, you will be handing them down to your kids. You can get them in all-wool, in chenille, and in blends that would work well in a basement where it may be damp. They are also totally authentic retro, and it seems, made in America. These things are nearly perfect. One thing I will add is that, even with all the color, they read kind of “neutral” once you get them onto the floor. Once they are loaded up with furniture, lamps and all, they kind of blend right into the floor. They also hide dirt exceedingly well.  See all the Capel braided rugs here.

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This is my husband’s favorite catalog — and favorite company: U-Line. If you need packing or shipping boxes…or any kind of organizing box or wrapping or a gazillion other things…check this catalog first. The prices are a gazillion times better than retail places like U-Haul (for moving) or Staples (for organizing.) They claim over 950 box sizes always in stock. Of course, you must buy in bulk but generally not 100’s – more like 10 or 25. And U-Line has great service, will deliver right to your door. The print catalog is free, and tons of good reading. Of course, the catalog is also online if you need something in a pinch. With all the online commerce going on today and into the future, my husband wants to buy stock in this company. I think he’s on to something. U-Line online – order print catalog there.

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A reader recently wrote to ask, “What color stain would be most appropriate or authentic for a mid-century oak floor?” Drats, I cannot find the email. And, I am not academically sure what the correct answer is. I would guess… a “natural” stain.

Natural meaning – virtually no color. Matte or gloss finish. Gloss, though, would show more scratches. When we refinished the oak parquet floor in our dining room, above, the floor guy said, “All the old floors were done with a natural finish.” We chose matte finish and have been very happy with it. Our oak is getting a nice golden hue as time goes on. Under all the carpets, it’s a lighter color — the sunlight is affecting the color.

I think I may consult with some mid-century historic homes to discern the proper academic answer. But meanwhile: Readers — what do you think? What are you finding in your homes, with original wood floors, including what may have been hidden underneath carpet that’s been there for ages? What is the “authentic” color for mid-century oak flooring?

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How cool, Hoover has reintroduced vintage style Constellation vacuum cleaners. They include modern technology like HEPA filters, and yes — they apparently float! Two colors – a pearlescent white (shown) or in stainless steel. They are currently listed on Amazon for $230 from Allergy be Gone — I added them to my Pamazon store.

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If you want to upgrade your door set, these choices from Weiserlock are beautiful and very classic — they definitely have a retro feel to me. When you are out at estate sales and inside mid century houses, make sure to notice little details like this. I remember one sale about two years ago just down the street from me… the modern house had the most gorgeous door sets… identical throughout the house – quite similar to the Weiserlock Troy above, although smaller. I remember that the slightly smaller scale, the repetition throughout the house, and the great “hand feel” made them so special. I am sure I looked nutso, pausing among the frenzy to adore them.

In terms of finish – I need to pay more attention to what I see in vintage homes, but in general, I think there weren’t many choices. Go brass in the main house, chrome in the bathrooms. In a 40s house and for some reason – Capes,  I think that crystal knobs are delightful. Little touches like this — like diamond earrings — can make our little boxes oh so delightful.

This post was originally published on June 30, 2008.

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I‘ve been holding off for a while on posting this incredible 1966 wood paneling, thinking I could find some today-sources for this stylish material. Click the images to enlarge and see the wonderful decorative detail. Alas, nothing on the internet. Does anyone have any other ideas…sources?

It’s so interesting – that this was so popular…then so unpopular. Please don’t rip yours out unless it’s truly pedestrian! When we bought our 1951 “colonial-modern embankment ranch” seven years ago, another of the selling points was its original cherry paneling in the basement. The room itself needed some work – insulation, better heating, lighting, ceiling, carpet…but there was never a doubt about the paneling. Today, it’s the favorite room of my husband and his guy friends — a classic.

Methinks it’s time for paneling like this, to make a comeback.

This post was first published Feb. 19, 2008

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It seems like most every owner of a 40s 50s or 60s home ripped out their stylish, original electric switchplates at some point, and replaced them with innocuous ones. It is great fun to try to find these – and to replace them throughout the house. I think they a terrific touch. AND, see update from reader Lou…

Yowza: Look at this one contributed by reader Lou! I have never seen one like this before.

And, she sends this one – it glows in the dark – and has those special star-shaped screws. Cool!

There are actually quite a few designs – Modern…and colonial…as usual. It’s nice to find enough to have all the plates in one room coordinate — but I am not too obsessed with being all matchy matchy throughout the entire house.

You can find wallplates at estate sales, in the basement on a shelf or near the tool bench. And – they often show up, in original packaging like the ones shown here, at my Re-Store. In either case, you can generally pick them up for 10 cents to a $1 each.

A Retro Renovation re-run, originally published Jan. 29, 2008

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