HERE 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 →
41 midcentury lighting ideas – post lanterns, lamp posts, wall lanterns and landscaping lights
Scenes from 22 blue midcentury bathrooms
Yes — we are all dedicated to Save The Pink Bathrooms — but that quest is just emblematic, of course. We love midcentury bathrooms of all colors – blue, yellow, pinky-beige, grey, green, salt n pepper… I recently spotted some great images from Tiki Lisa’s blue bathroom (after the jump), and it got me to thinking… Let’s pull together all our blue bathrooms for a comprehensive look at this classic midcentury color. 22 bathroom inspirations in all. Heck yeah there is more →
Meet Neryl Walker … representing retro Australia
NERYL WALKER is an illustrator and artist based in Melbourne, Australia who loves to draw women. Sassy, voluptous, scantily clad retro women. She is a frequent commenter on the blog. I also keep an eye on her flickr photostream and in particular, I think that her vintage / around the house set is really inspiring. Her home seems really happy, livable – peppered with eclectica – but not overly so. Just right. And wait until you see her bathroom. Sablemable, get out your smelling salts. Read on to learn about Neryl and her retro aesthetic with an artist’s eye… Heck yeah there is more →
Retro bicycles from Raleigh
RETRO BAUBLES AND BLING continue today with: Wheels. I have a three-speed Raleigh cruiser pretty similar to this. I am so overwhelmed by technology today (*everything* is a computer now), that this simple, single-speed Retro Glide 1 looks like heaven to me. I spent my Wonder Bread years, 0-12 living in Southern California (Carlsbad/Vista) and my #1 memory of the period was riding a bike. I rode everywhere. Every day. Every waking moment I wasn’t in school. I was free as a bird. I had a glitter-purple Schwinn with the long glitter-vinyl banana seat. Streamers on the handle bars. Playing cards on the spokes, on occasion. Those are unbelievably good memories. Check out Raleigh’s 6 2009 retro style cruisers here.
More retro bling: Circa 1946 Minnetonka Moccasins
In the midst of trying to find additional examples of authentic reproduction baubles and bling, I realized I have some on my very own dancin’ feet: Minnetonka Moccasins. There are many models available today, but I have the classic Thunderbirds just like these, and they are super duper comfy for wearing around the house. Here’s what the Minnetonka website says, and I believe it – I am sure I brought these home from road trips. Heck yeah there is more →
Where to find vinyl upholstery fabric, with the vintage naugahyde look
I RECENTLY STUMBLED upon this company, C.F. Stinson, which seems to carry upholstery weight vinyl in about 2000 styles and colors. I am not kidding. For example, this very classic, retro-style “Avant” line, which reminds me of vintage naugahyde, comes in 110 colors alone. Surely one is just right to reupholster your vintage Daystrom or Arvin dinette? In addition, there are many other more ‘decorative’ styles. Heck yeah there is more →
Retro Roadtrip: El Rancho Motel, Gallup, NM
Maryanne contributes this classic and unforgettable spot to our list of retro roadtrips: The El Rancho Motel in Gallup, New Mexico. I can second that emotion, because I’ve also stayed there twice, although nearly 20 years ago. It was incredible – all the rooms are named after cinema cowboys… the lobby is wonderful beyond belief… and tell me, are the enchiladas still as good? Thanks, Maryanne!
King & Queen of Hearts stamps: 18th century meets retro
The USPS has introduced this new pair of intertwined King and Queen of Hearts stamps. The announcement says they are based on 18th century French playing cards. I think they look oh so retro – probably because of the colors, pretty good matches for avocado green, harvest gold, powder blue, Fairfax brown, and brady bunch kitchen countertop orange. Buy them at your local post office or online here. The stamp was designed by Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, and Jeanne Greco of NYC.
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