THE PARTY is only getting started here at Retro Renovation. I have a feeling that American design in 2010 is going to be even more retrograde-retrocrazed, than ever. Looking ahead to year #3 for the blog, I’d love to hear from you. What do you want to see more of… less of…? What are your favorite features? What are your biggest needs? How can the blog help you out with your projects, even more?
Reader Interactions
25 comments
Kristin says
Hi Pam, My husband and I just bought a 20’s home that we’re remodeling with retro/modern tastes. Bathroom with classic white hexagon tiles, clawfoot tub, and one of the lighting fixtures that you mentioned from Lowes. For our kitchen we found an amazing 60’s wedgewood stove and are doing the farmhouse(?) sink and the black with white speckles armstrong vinyl tile floor. We have the house gutted and even found an old 20’s milk bottle! How neat! Anyway, I’d love to see more pictures of rooms, including retro color combos and also decent places to buy vintage stuff. It’s so hard to find what you’re looking for most of the time. Anyway, thanks for your blog, it is incredibly helpful.
Jessica Williams says
Hi Pam,
I would love to see more photo’s of time capsule homes! I love seeing original tile work, wallpaper and architecture that hasn’t been touched. I know they are harder and harder to come by, but the images are so inspiring. Also, I love the 40’s…can more of that be inlcuded in the mix? Thanks so much for all your hard work!
Rob says
Dear Pam,
I want to say what a wonderful find your website has been for me. It has been such an excellent resource for those hard to find items (the atomic starburst door knob back plate), rejuvenation ideas & historic data which helped make my projects much easier & the end results more satisfying.
My wish would be to educate more of the population on the retro treasures they may have under their own noses or own backyards before they head off to their nearest home inprovement store to “update” their homes.
I have always had a passion for “things of yesteryear” since I can remember before I even knew what “retro” meant. Your website has given credence to this love & great interest of mine. Keep up the great work & Happy Holidays!
Rob
Jane (aka) Elvis says
I agree with Tailfin, Pam: the variety you provide on the site is one of its most engaging and useful aspects.
That said, MY favorite articles are those that focus on your readers’ own homes, both original and retro-remodeled. I also enjoy your articles on retro-styled currently available products of all kinds. And I like your educational articles: fabrics, style, architects, homestyles, lighting.
Thanks for these two fabulous years and keep up the great work!
SaraTinkelman says
Gee… I would love to explore the various styles of furniture that were so popular, and truly mid-century modest (love that one, Pam!). There were all kinds of “revivals” of one kind or another. We could, I hope, talk a little about the many reliable manufacturers; Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sheboygan, Wiss., various places in North Carolina, all (at that time) creating lovely, sturdy stuff. Paul Stuart’s designs for various furniture companies, and, my new favorite company called RWay, created contemporary, as well as frou-frou French, and are still relatively affordable now. But as the Scandinavian becomes less available and more expensive, people will start sniffing out quality furniture closer to home, so bargain hunters beware!. Now that our digital camera is back on the job, I can send along a couple of pics of my new (to me) RWay French Regency solid walnut dressers. This is the stuff I’d love to see more off. Oh yeah, and maybe a closer look at some of the other mid-century modest style houses. The Cape, Colonial, Spanish colonial, etc., etc. Whaddyah think?
Candice says
I’m really hoping the mad men fever continues to push fashion along. I make a lot of my own clothing, but it would be nice to stock up on some professional wear during the craze. I think (and hope) re-issued or retro inspired small appliances are going to continue to be a big deal. I love my vornado and would purchase more products like that.
Stuff I’d like to see. The information monopoly on vintage stoves is frustrating. The internet which normally provides me with ample expertise for free has only turned up advice-for-hire sites on that topic.
I think this site is invaluable and Pam’s researching skills are so impressive. I tell friends about this site all the time. Maybe a safe “disclaimer-ed” space for readers to share advice or information. I understand the legal issues for Pam, but when DIY stuff sneaks through it’s consistently been some of the most valuable information on the site for me.
swankola says
My biggest need is to find a house I can afford that has a tiki bar in the basement (or a wet bar I can turn into a tiki bar). Can you help with that? Otherwise, loving everything about the blog, keep doing what you’re doing.
sablemable says
I don’t know how you could improve on your blog, Pam. It is the most complete site for retro research I have yet to find. So, no complaints/corrections/additions from me!
Merry Christmas!
tailfin says
Honestly Pam, I really like the blog the way it is. You have such a variety of posts so we as readers never know what to expect, which I think is great! Of course, I always love to see you highlight readers’ homes and vintage finds — that’s probably my favorite type of post — and the more photos and details, the better.
I also like when you focus on one item (or type of item, manufacturer, designer, etc.) and provide all the information you’ve managed to find. I enjoy seeing items that you’ve found during your estate sale/thrift store/antique malls excursions too.
I look at many different blogs daily, most of which focus on mid-century modern. Your site, by far, is the most inclusive and has the largest number of followers, which leads to more and better information.
I’ve said it before, but I again want to emphasize, I appreciate the effort you and the other readers put into the information that is provided, and I also value the respect and manners that everyone adheres to on this blog. Thanks again, Pam!
vintage_vantage says
I love your website! I would love to know more about how to bring worn objects back to life. I dont like the idea of replacing things that have a few scratches, but how can I mask the imperfections?