After the post on where to find shelf edging, California Kathy wrote to show some in action. This is wonderful stuff for open shelves, glass cupboards, and as Kathy shows — for showing off collections of vintage bowls and dinnerware:

Hi Pam, California Kathy here. Just wanted to show you the upper portion of my kitchen china hutch with its shelf edging. I scored it on eBay a while ago and couldn’t be happier with how it looks! We’ve been doing a few things to our 1949 Calinfornia ranch kitchen and I’ll send you some pics as soon as we finish up a couple more easy things. Course the “easy” things are the ones that take the longest sometimes! Thanks for all you do! – Kathy

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Finding quirky accessories can be the most fun (and never-ending) part of owning an eclectic mid-century modern or mid-century modest home. Here is my vintage Stangl wigstand, purchased 15 years ago, well before I lived the retro life. Isn’t she beautiful? She’s a blond, circa 1950. I think we named her Betty. Well, Betty sits on our built-in bookcase and always has a vintage hat of some sort propped on her head. This one is an amazingly lovely antique crocheted lace night cap (I think) lined with satin — one of my many wonderful finds from the time capsule estate sale last week. Peeking from behind — a vintage Shriner’s hat I bought 10 years ago at a thift store in Canada.

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Here’s a necessary accessory… a naccessory…for the bedroom. Well, you use heating pads in bed, right? “No annoying TV-Radio interference,” you’ll be glad to know. Mint in box, of course, $18, from vintage dame on etsy.

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Suzy is my graphic designer. She helps with things on the blog, like making Hallowe’en headers. This is her favorite salt and pepper shaker. It’s a MIB “Tiny T-V.” I don’t quite understand where the salt, or pepper, comes out. Suzy likes retro stuff and has other wacky habits. I like her a lot.

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We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming with this special announcement: Hot item — a mint-in-box Nutone home intercom system. Listing ends Sunday night. Click on the green box “View and Bid” to go to the listing to see more photos. Pretty cool.

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Miller Studios seems to have been the big maker of chalkware fish back in the day. I also spotted another manufacturer, Freeman McFarlin. There is a very healthy trade in chalkware fish — they so speak to the period. They can be picked up very inexpensively, but of course there are rare and expensive sets as well.  Above: Gotta love this pair Miller Studios chalkware fishes from frenzyfinds on etsy.com.

Pink Miller Studio chalkware fish with bubbles from nenerzlife on etsy.

Multicolored Miller fishes from the cherrychic on etsy.

Aqua and white chalkware fish and shells from ACollectibleCachet on etsy.

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I live in a dinky New England village, so we often go over to Northhampton, a fun college town, to shop for the day. My super favorite store there is Retro Genie. Jean’s focus is vintage clothes, but she also has bits of furniture and kitchen stuff, too. I loved this vintage metal patio set, with the mill finish (like a 50s screen door) and original umbrella. I’ve never seen one like it. Jean says it all folds up, the table, too, and that’s certainly a plus when you have to find a place for everything in the garage for the winter. P.S. See those three pairs of vintage canvas shoes – black, red, navy? I now proudly own them. I am such a sucker for MIB. Do not ever believe a single word that I write about “restraint.” Except, I guess I didn’t buy the patio set. I am so proud of myself.

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Tina spotted a vintage Welbilt stove – mint in its original packaging, $100 – at her local Re-Store / Habitat for Humanity over the weekend. Anyone want to go for it – if it’s still there?

Tina writes:

Hi!

We were strolling through our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore today in Alexandria, Va, and the clerk there saw we were focusing on retro items and showed us an amazing brand-new, never used, 1963 Welbilt gas stove, The back section, with the clock and an amazing glass zig-zag design, was still in its original box. The newspaper that was wrapping up the shelves and items inside was dated November 1963. If we had gas in our home, we would have bought it in a flash.

Here’s my question… where would be the best place to publicize the availability of this item to folks who are looking to retrofit their mid century homes? The price tag said $200 but he told us they’d likely take $100 if someone offered. I took some pictures with my iPhone, but they certainly don’t do it justice.

I’d love to match up a buyer with this amazing piece. Can you help? Thanks! I’d love it if you featured it.

Thanks!

Tina

Ooooh, the stove is a “Tiara” or “Hostess” series. Readers, please note that the one thing I learned the hard way about buying vintage stoves is that in some states you cannot legally connect gas stoves unless they have an automatic safety pilot. So check this out with a professional before throwing down your dollars and carting the hulk home. And, if you’re thinking of doing any restoration yourself on any kind of stove, also consult a pro – as old appliances may have asbestos in their insulation, lead in their paint, etc.

I also asked Tina to tell me her retro renovation story. She responded:

We’re not really doing a retro renovation. We live in a traditional 1980s colonial in Fairfax, Va., and have tried to un-colonial it as much as we can. I have a huge collection of 1950s lamps (some might call it an obsession) that are sprinkled throughout the house (sprinkled? more like layered), and have created at least one retro room. I’ll send pics when I’m finished. I just want folks to walk in and see right away that it’s not the typical Virginia colonial, but not get too wild. Make sense?

I love your site, by the way, and have used it for decorating ideas. We do want to transform our powder room into a 1950s bathroom, which is why we were looking for toilets and sinks at the ReStore. We want to find a great set of yellow, green, pink or blue porcelain.

Thanks again!

Tina

Tina, I am quite sure that the retro decorating gods will send you something lovely indeed. Be sure to watch the Forum — Scathing Jane scans craigslist daily then posts the best stuff. And not just vintage steel cabinets but other Kitchen and Bathroom Stuff. In fact, Jane has quite the eagle eye when it comes to the most wonderful, magical, desirable bathroom fixtures — vintage Crane for example. I’ve seen lots in your area, I think… Watch for her smilie faces. Jane, you rock! And so do you, Tina, for this great retro recon!

Here’s the link to the Alexandria Re-Store. Note, though, that the stove is not on their website.

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It’s always amazing to see this stuff still mint-in-box. I always want to know the story: Where did it come from? Why did it sit for 50 years unopened? Who finally uncovered it? And — where will it go! Today: Four parts of a vintage Nutone Food Center – including the base. And if you are doing your bathrooms – there’s some great Hall-Mack chrome from both the Coronado and Metropolitan line.

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Thanks to reader Adam who wrote to let me know that vintage Vera Neumann designs were “rediscovered” a few years ago, and that some of her original designs are now available again at places like Macy’s. Right now, Macy’s has three table linen lines available on their website. At the left: Turning Leaf. Maybe it’s time to think ahead to a Merry Retro – Thanksgiving. Two more styles — both on sale as I write this — after the jump.

This design — Imprints — will work for those of you with a graphic, modern interior.

And this design — Poinsettia – well, I think I’m going to be getting this for my own Christmas table. Who can resist! Now, Macy’s: We want bed linens and kitchen towels and curtains, please!

Update: I noticed that Macy’s sale is already over, but found the Poinsettia on sale via Amazon:

Here’s the Turning Leaf:

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