I’m heading to Arizona Tiki Oasis again — and this year, I’m doing some real history, sharing my research on the early tiki mug designer Stella Bodey. I’m pretty excited about my seminar talk and what I’ve been able to find out about this mystery woman of tiki — I’ve always especially enjoyed digging in to find out more about designers who did not get much recognition in their day and whose contributions might otherwise be lost to history. Arizona Tiki Oasis, now in its second year, is again being held at the FABULOUS Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona. I went last year, and it was a pretty darned special place — and event. My lecture is Friday >> Heck yeah there is more →
Arizona Tiki Oasis — talking tiki decor April 13!
Tiki Oasis Arizona, here I come! Will I see you there, too: The event still has tickets, get ’em while the getting is good!Heck yeah there is more →
Life’s a (tiki) blur right now
No, I have not dropped off the face of the earth. I have just been working like a madwoman on my upcoming talk, “Create a World of Tiki in your Home”, April 13 at Arizona Tiki Oasis. I had thought this would be *relatively* easy, because I’ve given a version of the talk before. But then, diving in, I decided to change out all the photos… I’ve talked to a bunch of people who’ve built home tiki bars… and I’ve found even more resources. Heck yeah there is more →
Home tiki bar flooring — get the best of both worlds
Home tiki bar flooring can be a tough issue to sort out if your goal is to combine form (beauty) and function (easy to clean). In a home tiki bar, you want to optimize every inch inch of space possible to create your escapist mood. Yet, you still need to be realistic about possible messy spills. Photo above: Flor.Heck yeah there is more →
Is this the last authentic mid century modern patio umbrella still made today? The Sundrella 701
A few years after I first wrote about Sundrella 701 aluminum patio umbrellas — sold out of Arizona, in production since 1956! — I started hearing from readers that they were no longer available for retail sale. Fast forward to last week, though, and in doing some related research, I discovered the classic Sundrella 701 aluminum umbrella for sale — from a Florida company, Sundrella Outdoor Furnishings. What?! So I called, and immediately connected with National Sales Manager Diane Jacobs. She confirmed that company ownership had changed hands. The Sundrella 701 today is mostly sold to commercial outfits like restaurants, hotel, apartment and HOAs. But, yes, they do do occasional sales to residential customers. Heck yeah there is more →
Seagrass square rugs and where to find them — an affordable, retro favorite popular again today
Doing research for my recent talk at Arizona Tiki Oasis on tiki decor, I learned about Frank’s Cane and Rush Supply — another great source for tropical matting, bamboo, and these seagrass square rugs. What a flash from the past when I saw them! These seagrass squares rugs are super retro — they are used on some ceilings at the Mai Kai, and of course, they have been used for decades as rugs. Mike, the owner of Frank’s, told me that his seagrass square rugs were featured in some well-known shelter magazines recently, and that they are selling like hotcakes. They suit many styles: beachy… natural… nautical… and tropical — all these styles are all hot today in mainstream decor.Heck yeah there is more →
Shag’s fabulous poster for Dunn-Edwards Paints at Palm Springs Modernism Week
Only Josh Agle aka Shag could make house painting look so hip — so fun — and he’s done just that with this poster created for Dunn-Edwards Paints at the recent Palm Springs Modernism Week 2019. I saw the poster on Shag’s instagram last week and asked the company if I could get permission to feature it on the blog. And howdy hudee, they and the Shag team conferred and reported back, “Yes!” Thank you! I’m so excited: We got Shag! Meow! Many thanks and with credit to: Dunn-Edwards and SHAG!
I know Josh from my tiki travels, so I emailed to ask about his inspiration for the commission. He wrote right back:Heck yeah there is more →
