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Restored antique lighting from Rejuvenation

Posted by: • January 30, 2010

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 →

1960s time capsule house on DeluxeVille

Posted by: • September 14, 2009

pink-bathroom-folding-shower-doors-metallic--wallpaperMARY DELUXE of Welcome to DeluxeVille get the weekend super retro recon award for the photos of the wonderful time capsule open house. Dig this deep pink — salmon? coral? — bathroom with its original folding tub enclosure shower door and octagon-and-dot floor tile. And, oh my, yes, we LOVE the metallic wallpaper. Repeat after me: Yes, we do! Heck yeah there is more →

Mid-century American Standard Gracelynn sink

Posted by: • August 6, 2009

Bathroom
YES, I AM OBSESSED with this sink. I have one — in white, although I also love this icy gray — in my garage on hold for my tiny, storage-challenged master bath; I am waiting to see if the retro decorating gods also send me the vanity. Meanwhile, I have finally learned its official name: It’s the Gracelynn Cabinet-Lavatory.  The toilet: The lovely Carlyle. You know it is one of my life goals to be able to name every midcentury toilet and sink on sight. This 1960 photo is from flickr friend Java1888, click the image to go straight to his photo stream. Another flickr friend, What Makes the Pie Shops Tick, has a 1965 American-Standard catalog posted where I found the name of this much-coveted sink, and more. Final note, I believe this sink was introduced in ’59.

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

Posted by: • June 28, 2009

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 →

Ann-Margret gets surreal over Canada Dry

Posted by: • May 21, 2009

In my next life, I want to be Ann-Margret. Now, please excuse me while I go out and buy a case of Canada Dry. Thanks to Bob & Dusty’s Whirl-A-Go-Go for spotting this wonderful commercial.

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

Posted by: • May 14, 2009

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 →

Flower power 1960s Drexel bedroom set

Posted by: • April 28, 2009

1960s-drexel-mod-bedroom-set
Thanks to Puddletown aka Cheryl for spotting this 60s flower-power Peter Max-style Drexel bedroom set on Craigslist. It’s in Minneapolis, and it’s not cheap, but oh my goodness, this is the greatest bedroom set in the world! And, thanks to seller Molly for the photos — [link expired]– and click through to the next page for 5 more photos.

Jan 2010 update:
A flickr friend has identifed this AWESOME bedroom furniture as Drexel Heritage ‘Plus One’ circa 1970. She has a catalog, which said that Drexel interviewed girls via SEVENTEEN magazine to design the line.

Click first image to launch slide show:

47 colors of tile from B&W tile

Posted by: • April 22, 2009

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 →

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