Daniel is a college student in California and already a longtime fan of mid-century architecture, decor and collectibles. He wrote in to share his story. I’m impressed!
Hello!
My name is Daniel and I’m a 22 year old college student in CA! I’ve been collecting mid-century furniture and ephemera since I was 14 or so. I visit your site everyday…
I love all the information you give out and all the great pictures… Most people my age don’t appreciate this kind of stuff, so it’s nice to finally find people who do. I’d love to show some of my finds if you’d like!
Sure, Daniel, I say… and can you tell me more about your story? He zips right back:
More about my story, hmmm…Well I’ve been passionate about the 1940s/50s/60s since I can remember! It’s my dad who really got me into it, with music such as Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, and Tommy Dorsey. From there I started buying and restoring vintage cars in high school, and would frequently go local antiquing.
I also was good friends with an antique radio repair store owner, and he gave me all the radios he no longer wanted for free! I received 8+ mid century radios from him all in working condition! That really started me saving up and going out to the antique stores to buy different things for the home.
I figured that sooner or later I would need something, so I bought everything from lamps to a vacuum cleaner haha. I’ve kept most of my stuff, giving some things away to make room for others, but I’m continually expanding my collection. My dream is to own or rebuild an Eichler home and fill it with nothing but original furniture, appliances, and fixtures.
There’s something so special about home living in that era, that’s no wonder people are going crazy over it. And although its become a fad again, I feel like I, and people like me, are living in the wrong era in someways, you know? Well I hope you enjoy these pictures, and I’d love to hear more about your story as well!
P.S. If you have any questions about the items in the pictures feel free to ask! Hope to hear from you soon.
I get the photos and I think, oh my gosh, is that really an apartment? Of a college student? It is way tidier than I remember my college apartment. I had, like, a TV, an army trunk, a portable stereo, a wastebasket, and a ratty sofa. Ah, the traveling light years. But, you are way waaaay ahead of me, Daniel. So… I ask Daniel, is that really an apartment and oh, do you have a photo that I could use, if you want? I forgot to ask him – is that a hamster cage? What is the name of your hamster? He zips back:
Ya it is a rental apartment probably from the early to mid ’60s. Unfortunately it has gone through many renovations since then, so its original charm doesn’t show all too well. I’m a Graphic Communication major concentrating in Print & Image Management…. Funny, I don’t have any pictures of me in the house on my computer haha!
But here’s a picture from last year from a WWII dance my friends and I always go to, hope that’s OK!
Sorry the pictures are such low quality, I took them with my computer because my camera had died. I can retake them for better quality if they didn’t turn out so good. Talk to you soon!
Actually, Daniel, I like the grainy dreamy quality of the photos. And, I didn’t even know you could take pictures with your computer. Like, you walk around with your laptop pointing it and hitting the enter button? I call myself a Geek Girl, but I am such a poser.
Daniel, once you get your diploma, I think you should set the graphics communications thing aside for a few months — you need to be on Design Star. We’ll all vote for you. I’m serious. BTW, is that a hamster cage? What is the name of your hamster?
Jeanne says
I had one of those shadow boxes in my bedroom when I was growing up. I wonder what happened to it and I wish I had it now. I kept my “little animal” collection on it. I still have the collection stored in a shoe box.
Demitri says
I love you, Dan! I love your new coffee table!
Gretchen S says
Amazing — continue to do what you love, Daniel!
Eartha says
Cheers to Daniel and Pip! Your apartment is fabulous and Pam is right, you have quite the eye for design. I have no doubt that you will live out that Eichler dream one day. Thanks for showing us your home. : )
p.s. Let us know if you and Carla (above) get married. I just know it would be a smashing styish affair!
pam kueber says
So if anyone ends up getting married because they *met* via Retro Renovation, I will get my justice of the peace license and do the honors. Okay? 🙂
Daniel says
Thanks for all of the wonderful comments guys! The hamster’s name is Pip, haha he’s a miniature hamster, I should probably find him a mid-century cage!
Andrew says
Where did you get the awesome orange chair?!? I have started ot similar to you, and i have a vintage danish modern dresser and pictures and magazines framed from 1934 to 1969. I would like to replace a gaming rocker with a chair just like that, but i cant find an affordable one or where to buy it!
gavin hastings says
The apartment is great and years from now you will look back on it and think: “Wow, wasn’t I busy little bee?” You really need to print and keep all of these pictures- 20 years from now you will remember only half of how it appeared.
My only burning question is….What is the hampsters’ name?
Enjoy your dream!
Jeanne says
I love the photos! I especially like the photo of Daniel. It looks like it was direct from the 1940s! I’m impressed. 🙂
Annie B. says
Daniel’s story has me misty-eyed. He’s definitely worked wonders on that apartment. Great furniture and great style, Daniel.
My college apartment was already furnished (as opposed to decorated) by the landlord in Scary-Mediterranean. And, if that weren’t enough, our art major roomie took it upon herself to cover one of her bedroom walls with head and shoulders of Jimi Hendrix in pastel chalk; for that, we lost our deposit. The salad days in Athens, Georgia.
MrsErinD says
Oh, Hubby and I love Frank, Tommy and Glenn too! My Dad was really into Jazz and I grew up with that and other old music, I was the only little kid who knew who Dizzy Gallespie was, lol.
Gorgeous apartment! Wow! Love the decorating and furniture, especially that chair. Great job!
I gotta get Hubby one of those WW2 uniforms, he would look so handsome! ;O)
Carla says
Oh my gosh…can you pass along a question for me? WILL HE MARRY ME?!
I’m 23, and I’ve never met anyone, male or female, anywhere NEAR as obsessed with mid-century/earlier things than myself. I’m always the youngest at antique shows and stores and my friends I drag along never know what I’m exclaiming and babbling about. This boy is fantastic! Also inspires me to spiff my place up with a good cleaning and send you some shots too…mind, my stuff is awful scattered from 30s-70s.