Restored antique lighting from Rejuvenation

When Rejuvenation hosted a facility tour for Jane (above) and me in March, we got a first-hand view of the gazillions of vintage lighting fixtures that they had in stock at their warehouse. They use this stock for reference when considering new reproduction designs… They are all just light-lovers and pack-rats like the rest of us, so can’t resist buying them… And, they actually restore them for sale locally and on their website.  I really like their online catalog of restored antique lighting because it shows a good selection of the true diversity of lighting that was available in the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. So much of the interior design media today only focuses on the iconic (so far) mid-century *modern* lighting, that it’s easy to forget there were many other really beautiful styles out there, too. Heck yeah there is more →

NOS kitchen, bath and more

Mick’s backyard drive-in theater

micks-flamingo-drive-inSo what are you doing this weekend? Mick most likely is entertaining friends at his Flamingo Drive-In, the amazing backyard theater that he created behind his 1943 cabin. Ain’t got no plasma, ain’t got no hot tub — just good old-fashioned lawn chairs, a projector and click on through to see a little classic Hollywood glamour, too… Heck yeah there is more →

41 midcentury lighting ideas – post lanterns, lamp posts, wall lanterns and landscaping lights

midcentury-pole-lamp-landscaping-lightsmidcentury-outdoor-lighting-illustrationHERE IS A REALLY GREAT SURVEY OF VINTAGE OUTDOOR LIGHTING, from my 1961 Progress Lighting catalog. I started with this photo because: Just look at the little umbrella landscape light. It is phenomenal! The careful addition of outdoor lighting can be one of the easiest and relatively cheapest ways to improve the curb appeal of your midcentury ranch house, Cape, colonial or contemporary. At minimum, think: High quality, well maintained wall lanterns adjacent to or above the entry door and garage, and a lamp post either at the front of the driveway or closer to the house next to a walkway heading toward the door. Landscape around the lamp post – this is also a great piece of ‘hardscape’ to launch a decorative fence. Light are “sentinels”. Use them to ultimately draw attention toward your front door…they are tools to make your house say a big, warm “Welcome.” Heck yeah there is more →

Vintage 40s and 50s reproduction shoes

remix-vintage-40s-shoes

A girl can never, ever have too many shoes. Now, to alternate with my reissued vintage PF Flyers, I neeeeeeeed these:  ReMix Vintage Shoes — actual reproductions from the 1940s and 1950s. There are oodles of styles and colors available – for men, too. Heck yeah there is more →

Porcelain bathroom tile in a rainbow of colors & styles from American Universal

octagon-and-dot-tile

EXCITING NEWS: We have a newly discovered resource for porcelain ceramic floor and wall tiles: American Universal Corp. I love their website — it’s easy to make your own octagon-and-dot combinations, for example. Like my peach, raspberry and grey floor tile combination above — what do you think? Heck yeah there is more →

47 colors of tile from B&W tile

bw-bathroom.jpg

Palm Springs Stephan is a wealth of info, and provides this info on a Southern California company still producing the 50s pink tile so common during this era. Don’t use any other pinks – they are not right! I am so excited at this find – a big one for the retro renovation community. Heck yeah there is more →

Original Eichler paint colors for your ranch or contemporary home

body-paint-colors-for-your-ranch-home

Are you looking forward to repainting your midcentury ranch or contemporary home once the weather warms up? I recently connected with the nice folks at The Eichler Network, and saw that they have identified a palette of original exterior paint colors and accents used on Eichler homes, which were built from the late 1940s through the early 1970s. Heck yeah there is more →