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Bradbury & Bradbury has introduced four new vintage wallpaper reproductions — classic damasks that, as owner Steve Bauer says, “would be appropriate in almost any style of home, with the exception of perhaps the most sterilized of midcentury modern homes, where ‘ornament is crime.’”
The four papers — Berkshire, Hampshire, Warwickshire and Essex — are all taken from 1920-1940s documents in the Bradbury archives. Read on for more from Steve…
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I heard from Ohio Catherine recently – remember her adorable ranch…and all her Drexel furniture? Catherine has continued to work on her vintage steel Youngstown kitchen — pulling together the extra pieces she needs — as well as her pink bathroom — including checking out Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper to go-with:
hey pam!
i got a few samples from bradbury today. i love all the grey in the sunnyside up for the kitchen! and in the bathroom, i thought i would like the googie better, but after i put them up on the wall i’m leaning toward the atomic doodle. what do you think?
the youngstowns in the pictures are my newest addition, before we tore them out of an old house about an hour from here. someone contacted me via my wanted ad on craigslist and told me they wanted them out of the house so he could remodel. they need a lot of cleaning, stripping, and painting!! but i have my corner piece! i cringed when i saw you posted my youngstown handles on your ebay picks, because i NEED them!! haha!!and lastly i sent a picture of my chambers sitting in the garage!thanks for all your suggestions, LOVE your site!!
Pam,
Thank you for taking the time to help Catherine and asking for our opinion! You mentioned “Atomic Googie” looking fabulous, but I didn’t know if you meant our “Atomic Doodle” or “Googieland”, but hey, I think they are both terrific in that incredible bathroom! I would recommend however that we seal the paper, (which is not expensive) if the bathroom produces a lot of moisture. She can ask for that through our Customer Service if she places an order.
As far as “Sunnyside”, it is probably the least grid-like pattern of the four Post War papers (when you compare them on our site) but it might pose some competition with her terrific tilework. Some of the reds we matched for these papers in the paper are actually values of “carmine”, a sort of wine red color used frequently in late 40’s and early 50’s papers rather than a primary red as it may appear in the photos. They definitely appear lighter however than the deeper maroon in her tile.
Does she have a breakfast nook off the kitchen? If so, she could paint the walls in the kitchen a light pearl gray to harmonize with her cabinets and use our “Scallop Trim” at the top of the wall, (the one with silver in it like the cabinet handles) and use “Sunnyside” in the nook with the “Trim” above that (!) The nook would then be a beautiful compliment to the kitchen without the two competing. If those options don’t sound appealing to Catherine she could always try to find a vintage paper through some of your links (?). From the tiny portions I could see it looks like a terrific vintage kitchen! I wish her the best!
I hope this offered something in the way of assistance to you and Catherine. We are always glad to help. Thanks again!
Steve
Thanks, Steve!
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Hot off the presses… or off the wallpaper printers…: Bradbury & Bradbury’s “The Mod Generation” of wallpapers.
I just heard from Stephen Bauer overnight and wanted them to be on the web on Retro Renovation first!
Here’s the story:
We’re talking about that generation, that turbulent era, emerging from the conservative prosperity of the 1950s and soon ushering in civil rights demonstrations, flower children and man’s journey to the moon. This energetic collection of patterns mirrors some of the radical shifts in graphic design that also sprung out of those tumultuous times. So whether you’re “feeling groovy” or strictly modern, we’ve got you covered.
Stephen adds in his email:
Some of them are pretty electric, but with most of these we recommend hanging only one wall as a “feature” or “accent” wall, like a huge piece of art! Take a look when you have some time and let me know what you think!
Here’s what I think: Awesome! My favorite: Moody Blue — as I was always a Flower Power Child — although I love the orange best – click through on their site to see all the colorways. What about you, readers? … Click here, or on the Nifty Fifties ad to the right, to get the Bradbury & Bradbury site.
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Drum roll, please: Announcing 4 new vintage 1950s Atomic wallpapers from Bradbury & Bradbury, launched on RetroRenovation.com today.
Finally, our days of wallpaper deprivation are coming to an end. The images speak for themselves: These papers — along with Atomic Doodle, Googieland and the four 1940s papers that B&B introduced last month — are a tremendous addition to our postwar decorating arsenal. And, they couldn’t be coming from a more respected company. While I am not going to classify them as inexpensive, they are certainly a value well worth it… silk screened by hand in the U.S.A.… a true Art treasure that will endure in your home for generations to come.
Be sure to read on to the next post, a special interview with Stephen Bauer, artistic director and owner of Bradbury & Bradbury. If you’re into mid century – which you must be if you’re reading this blog! – I think you will find it fascinating.
Enjoy — here are each of the new papers, in all colorways, along with some context from Stephen:
Boingo:
“A slightly conservative pattern, but still with that casualness and playfulness that many patterns from that era exhibit. It is peppered with metallics so it has a nice sparkle to it as you pass by.”
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click on thumbnails for larger image
Interlock:
“This is our nod to the strict Modernists in the house, being very clean in feel and silvery. I think the pattern might have been inspired by Japanese patterns as it resembles some I’ve seen.”
click for larger image
Island:
“Well what’s a self respecting Fifties interior without a tropical tiki inspired room? And what’s a tiki room without a beautiful tiki wallpaper in it? Nothing but mosquitoes and humidity. The various coloring combinations of “Island” also will really complement the vintage rattan you’re decorating with.”
click for larger image
Gee-Gee:
“Fun for the Modernists, but with a little more sense of humor to it…which we like.”
clickaroo
Samples available from Bradbury & Bradbury.
And, be sure to read all my wallpaper posts for the full range of 50s choices.
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