My “Drill, Baby, Drill” photo (which I affectionally and apolitically call it) made its first appearance in major media this weekend, when the Chicago Tribune featured a nice story about Retro Renovation and Save the Pink Bathrooms in its Sunday Real Estate section. I did the interview with writer Mary Umberger several weeks ago. Imagine this scene: Me, Friday 3 p.m., exhausted yet having just downed a double latte, holed up in my computer cave alone all week — and yo, here was someone on the phone all interested in pink bathrooms and other mid century ilk. My point: I am pretty sure I blabbered and rambled like a lunatic. But Mary did a great job of latching on to, and capturing, some of my favorite ideas ever. Like: We’re not any smarter today about what’s beautiful than people were in 1956 — it’s just different. Thank you, Mary, for your empathetic coverage of our cause.
Great thanks, also, to photographer Jennifer Greenburg, who helped by finding, then shooting, a new photo of a pink bathroom in Chicago, for the Sunday story. I featured Jennifer several times on the blog last year — first, we looked at her fabulous book, The Rockabillies — and then, I followed up with an interview with her about the rockabilly design aesthetic. The interview is actually one my favorites — it really made some light bulbs go on in my head.
You can check out the Chicago Tribune story here. I’m told the photo ran in the paper kind Big. This is so embarrassing. Crazy, but in a good way. 🙂
Annie B. says
So glad to see more great publicity for you and for The Cause. Fight on, Pink Panther.
Lawrence Bill says
Really, really enjoyed this article Pam. Indeed, why do people turn up their noses at pink bathrooms? Laminate kitchen countertops? I’ve wondered about this myself. It’s ironic because America has always been a nation of “progress,” and when you think about when pink bathrooms were built America was at its zenith in terms of progress and future-oriented aspiration. But the truth is, America’s relation to its past has essentially been not to carry too much of it. The past impedes action, saps energy. Gutting the pink bathroom lifts that burden, and it fits our propensity to reinvent, to redo. Still, it’s a shame because many of these bathrooms are quite beautiful when you take the time to appreciate them.
Barbara H. says
Oh, what a nice article! Congratulations, Pam – more fame and fortune to follow hopefully.
Janice says
Great article Pam! Maybe Orpah will see that in the paper and invite you on as a guest and you can brag about pink bathrooms and mid century design to the whole world!
Janice says
Oops! Make that Oprah. I don’t know an Orpah. 🙂
troysf says
Rock on!
TappanTrailerTami says
Great article Pam, thanks for carrying the Retro message to a wider audience! I have always loved that picture of you!
Trouble says
“Drill Baby Drill!” If you find oil, lemme know! I’m THERE!
Ann-Marie Meyers says
Yeah, Baby!
kate mckinnon says
So pleased for you and for retro style everywhere!
Go Pam Go!
Urbanitra says
Congrats, Pam! Keep it up the good work! With all the publicity you’ve been getting you will soon be as mainstream as, well, greige!!