This week’s spotlight on busy-bee-retro-bloggers and other relevant home design news starts with nickarmadillo of Mid-Century Midwest, who finally got his vintage sputnik light installed. Nick lives in St. Louis, a midcentury treasure trove, and bought this “for a song” last year at an estate sale. Nick, we all completely understand it when you write,
I <3 this chandelier! I mean I REALLY LOVE it. If marriage to inanimate objects was legal in the state of Missouri, I’d be writing my vows right now.
Continue on for news from Retro Roadmap… Midcentury Reno… No Pattern Required… Retro Ranch Revamp… Mr. Modtomic… and Uncle Atom.
Also in the news:
- Mod Betty or Retro Roadmap recently visited Tupperware HQ in Orlando. Over on her blog, I also learned that there is a PBS documentary about Tupperware running on Feb. 14. The preview makes it look a hoot. Must see. Thanks, Betty.
- Over on No Pattern Required, Sara installed retro VCT floor tiles in her mom’s condo. It looks great. She also talks about the need to apply sealer. As I vaguely recollect from my install: You’re supposed to wait a few days or two weeks or something like that, then seal. If you don’t seal, you get scratches. Hey, how’s this for a tip: Consult with the manufacturer. Thanks, Sara, Good Daughter.
- Cori over at Midcentury Reno got the outdoor bullet lights installed. They look great — all midcentury modern like. Cori: Amen! 😉
- Kate has an excellent tutorial on installing Ikea Kvartal panel curtains over on her blog, Retro Ranch Revamp. That photo of your Dear Husband is hilarious, Kate. And you: Workin’ hard!
- Mr. Modtomic found Eric Buck barstools. I never heard of these before, Mr. M knows way more than me, and oh my, they are indeed something. I like how he paid the people more than they were asking for. Respect the karma.
- Uncle Atom shares a hot tip — and awesome eye candy — about The Community Forklift in Hyattsville, Maryland, which seems to be a hotspot to find salvage vintage stoves, metal kitchen cabinets and oh my, look at some of those laminate countertops. Thank you, Uncle.
Thank you, all!
BlueJay says
Community Forklift is an awesome store! In addition to the metal cabinets and vintage appliances they also have a large selection of colored bathroom fixtures. Their prices on the plumbing stock are reasonable too!
Nickarmadillo says
Wow! Never thought I’d be featured on a big-time blog like Retro Renovation. Thanks for the big ups Pam! People seem to be really interested in the dining set too. While it looks very similar to Broyhill Brasilia, it’s actually a Kent Coffey Perspecta (though I do have a Brasilia gentlemen’s chest hidden in there as well).
Sean Hewlett says
Love the Broyhill!
Ann V says
That sputnik light looks great! I was shopping for lighting for my mom’s kitchen remodel this week, and I noticed Target is selling a version of a sputnik. Mom decided she wanted a flush mount fixture, but this could be a good option if you’re looking for a new sputnik, especially if you wait for one of Target’s inevitable sales.
http://www.target.com/p/Pulsar-Ceiling-Lamp-Chrome/-/A-13793982#?lnk=sc_qi_detailbutton
gsciencechick says
Whoa, I so did not need to see that! So tempting. 🙂 Seriously, though, thanks for the link.
Mr. Modtomic says
Nice! That Target fixture is too cool but…whoa…it’s kinda pricey!
Michael says
I hope the Tupperware documentary is broadcast in Canada– it looks like a hoot!
Glenn Soucy says
Great Sputnik Light. I read this at my table, looked at the china cabinet, then looked up, and saw an identical cabinet sitting in my kitchen!!! Too funny!
Lynne says
I am seriously considering the vct tiles for my kitchen. So, you glue them down, wait the appropriate amount of time, then apply a sealer. What then? What is the long term care and feeding of these floors?
pam kueber says
I’ve done several stories on this, Lynne. See Kitchens/Floors. Yes, you need to strip and reseal occasionally… I also again underscore, see each manufacturer’s instructions…
Jason says
In the house I grew up in in Maryland, it originally had the streaked-style tile flooring in the kitchen. I remember that Mom would be on her knees waxing ( I think she was waxing) the floor every so often. What was funny was to see the dog go sliding across the floor if he went too fast! MOm got mad at him for scratching the wax!
Sara In AZ says
Thanks Pam! Just to let you know, our sealer did not go on until probably 2 months after the tiles were installed, so definitely enough time to let those tiles set up.
Jason says
Hey!….Is that Broyhill Brasilia dining room furniture? WOW!
Maryann Roy says
Wow! Love the wealth of information in this post Pam ! Thank You!
The sputnik light in Nick’s house is great, but I’d kill for those dining room chairs ! 🙂