Retro Renovation» 50s

Restored antique lighting from Rejuvenation

pam kueber — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:00:57 +0000

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.

When Jane and I toured, there 10 or more of these beauties on hand — seemingly ready for the set designer at Mad Men to snap them right up for Sterling & Draper’s offices.

For those of you who live in Portland, there’s a big selection of antique lighting for sale in their main store, and if you have particular needs, I bet they will let you see the stock in warehouse.

Tim Wetzel, who works in product design, and Bo Sullivan, historian, took Jane and me on the tour. That's all vintage stock behind them, and then there are rows and rows more to the left beyond.

The rest of us can keep an eye on the website, where they post a selection of restored lights for sale. Here are some of my favorites right now — encompassing the 1930s, 40s, 50s and 60s:

This circa-1940 chandelier has a wonderful, all-American sweetness to it. I like that Rejuvenation always seems to give some good historical detail: “The streamlined “slip-shade” or “cup-shade” type of fixtures became popular after 1935. This classic example features subtle Colonial Revival decorative details that help it fit comfortably in both traditional and modern interior settings.”

They have two of these unusual gold-finish pendants. The housing is 18″ tall, so the pair has the potential to make quite a decorative statement.

This circa-1945 pendant is very pretty and glamorous.

A very pretty colonial revival hall lamp — available as a pair.

A circa-1935 “tiny lantern” for the hall. I could definitely be happy in a sweet, pre-war colonial revival home.

1955 Scandinavian Modern ceiling fixture — to me, this is bridge between streamline and moderne.

This one was in the warehouse, it’s not on their website. I’m calling it 60s mediterranean, but now looking at it, it could be way earlier — a historic romantic revival. It’s so amazing how the period revivals just keep getting reinterpreted — and that means even today, don’t kid yourself.

Tha tha tha that’s all, folks. A 1935 exit sign – the EXIT printed on both sides. Now couldn’t you have some fun with this?

Retro 50s 60s lighting for kitchen, bathroom, dining room and more — from Rejuvenation Lighting I’ve had great luck with finding vintage lighting on eBay....
Retro style porch lighting – from Rejuvenation Lighting, our favorite! Rejuvenation Lighting offers two styles of porch lighting that could...
Mint-in-box 1960 Progress Lighting from Rejuvenation Here is a hot tip for anyone doing a major...

NOS kitchen, bath and more

pam kueber — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:59:26 +0000

Tile for your 50s style kitchen or bath It was very difficult to find tile in the correct...
Vintage wallpaper for your 50s kitchen and bath – another source More wallpaper! Another site that Femme1 found, rosiesvintagewallpaper.com. Also very...
A recessed GE kitchen or bath fixture – clock, plugs, light Another recessed fixture aimed to torture Speedway Ron. Or, bankrupt...

Mick’s backyard drive-in theater

pam kueber — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:00:56 +0000

So 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…

Mick writes:

Hey Pam!

I was wondering, what are your feelings on 1950′s fountain side tables? Any idea where or who come up with the idea?

I’ve also attached a picture of the Home Theater I’ve built in back of my 1943 Cabin…

So of course, I ask Mick to send more. He tells us:

The back yard strays from traditional 1940′s and is a summer tribute to the 1950′s.

I LOVE the vintage lawn chairs and have 26 vintage pieces, the oldest being from 1929, and one chair legended to have come from the 1931 Worlds Fair in France! If you’d like more picture of the Drive-In let me know!

Thanks!

Mick

Wow, Mick, that it really something. I am really impressed. Regarding your question about fountain tables. I am not sure what that refers to. Like, those things that hung onto car doors at the drive-in, maybe? In all the excitement about your backyard drive-in, I forgot to ask you clarify… Thanks for sharing these great photos!

Retro Roadtrips: The Varsity Drive-In in Atlanta ELIZABETH saw the Wigwam Village post and also writes in...
A 1948 home theater – yes, 1948 A 1948 home theater? Yup. What goes around comes around,...
50th anniversary of the Eero Saarinen Tulip Chair by Knoll – iconic 50s 60s mid century style I have really come to appreciate Eero Saarinen tulip chairs...