Jonathan Adler’s retro-modern Happy Chic collection at JCP — cheap, cheerful, colorful

J.C. Penney recently launched a new home decor collection licensed from Jonathan Adler — “Happy Chic”. UPDATE: 2013 JDP collection now gone, but we’ll leave this in our archive. This decorating line includes bedding, bath, furniture, accent furniture, accessories, pillows, kitchen, lighting and lamps, rugs and window treatments. We’d classify it as the epitome of “retro + contemporary”. The color palette is all 1960s flower power mod, with lots of lacquer… And the design motifs are also vintage inspired, channeling lots of 1960s originals… But the patterns: They are the overscale graphics — super popular in today’s contemporary mass market — very “2012”. (We hesitate to say “2013”, because surely, the party must be winding down on the chevrons et.al. by now)

The vintage antecedents? Pam says that in these designs, she *thinks* she sees a lot of the influence of vintage Rosenthal-Netter, Bjorn Wiinblad, Eva Zeisel, Raymor and Bitossi. (Although: Hoo invented cute vintage “owls”, really?) The lacquer revival, meanwhile, is coming on very strong in the mainstream marketplace. While we would likely hunt down the vintage originals rather than buying a newly made interpretation, we recognize that sometimes you just want a cheap, cheerful and easy solution to decorate or complete a room.  Lots of the pieces in the JCP Happy Chic collection fit that bill. (Yes, from a number of the JCP listings we checked, most of the pieces appear to be “Imported”… but that’s part of what keeps the prices down, we guess.)

To be sure, Jonathan Adler — along with a few others, such as Ikea and CB2 — get our props for being leaders in offering colorful, whimsical counterpoints to an otherwise often greige and funereal home decor mass market. Resist the Greige Nation!

This ribbed table lamp has mid century lines and is affordably priced at $28.

For those who like Asian style — this Foo Dog Lamp might be just the ticket.

If it is ceiling fixtures that you’re after — the Happy Chic collection has two retro appropriate options — both for under $100.

The little round votive with atomic relief detail is cute as a button. Perhaps en masse for centerpieces at a flower power wedding? This footed aqua bowl would fit in well in 1950s or 1960s decor.

Here’s another owl — this time boldly printed on an acid green lacquer tray.

Just like the owl lamp — these owl bookends make me giggle.

I also like the apple bookends — especially because of the cross section, which I think is a nice touch.

There is no lack of what looks to be Retro Renovation’s 2013 color of the year — Broyhill Chapter I lime green in the collection. If you’ve been on the search for that perfect pair of acid green drapery panels, today might be your lucky day.

Also available are acid green sheets for the bed.

And if you like your acid green in the bathroom — bath mats, towels and, yes, more owls are at your service.

With some careful selection, it is possible to extract the mod, flower power 1960s and early 1970s pieces out of this collection and put them to work in your groovy, retro pad, quite affordably. Hey: We even read recently in the Wall Street Journal that JCP is bringing coupon sales back. (The ‘everyday low prices’ strategy was a flop.) Keep your eyes peeled — we bet you can get another 40% off.