From Hazel Dell Brown & Armstrong Cork Co. — 12 online catalogs from 1929-1951
Yesterday I published a history of Hazel Dell Brown, including why I believe she is the most influential interior decorator of the 20th Century. Today as..
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Uncovering the Legend of Stella Bodey — my upcoming seminar at Arizona Tiki Oasis, April 23-26, 2020
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..
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Tailored bedspread good for a mid century bedroom — at a bargain price
A tailored bedspread has always been one of my favorite options for a mid century bed without a footboard. Those clean square lines — yes!..
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Sigrid’s one-step-at-a-time 1954 house refresh
We love our vintage wallpaper here on Retro Renovation -- and sure enough, it helps put Sigrid's spiffed up bathroom over the top!
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The biggest, minty-est, vintage Whiskey Barrel furniture set I’ve ever seen!
I love midcentury basements that have been decorated in kitschy, escapist styles. And the #1 favorite theme back in the day seems to have been:..
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What are seagrass rugs made of? Myth busting!
What are seagrass rugs made of? Myth-busting: The ‘seagrass’ used for these products is actually a ‘sedge’ grown above ground like rice — not from..
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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..
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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..
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Portable mid century bar in a barrel — so cute!
Just some happy this morning: A vintage mid century portable rolling bar — that looks like a barrel when it’s closed! Spotted at Retro Genie’s ..
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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)...
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Barkcloth fabric — 155 designs from 6 companies available today + vintage, of course!
Barkcloth is a wonderful fabric for making curtains and pillows for midcentury homes and tropical home tiki bars too. In this update to my original..
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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! CategoriesOther..
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Chinese jade tiki tiles — vintage salvage galore — for sale
Jade green Chinese breezeway tiles were a very desirable decorative feature in commercial tiki bars in the 1950s and 1960s — but those green ceramic..
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Carlo midcentury modern design sofa and chair from West Elm — nice
Story #4 about planning weebit’s apartment. She has a West Elm nearby, so we went and looked several times. I had not been in one..
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Cleaning and getting the odors out of a vintage quilted bedspread
I have a bunch of “really stupid” projects right now. Not stupid in their intent, or in their theoretical possibility for either (1) amazing thrift..
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Vintage Turner art print: Coral + chartreuse + teal + black color inspiration
This week I have been fixated on the color combination: Coral + chartreuse + teal + black. The Retro Decorating Gods approved, because I went..
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Yes — or no — to the wicker headboard — on the ceiling ?
“Before”: A vintage wicker headboard, spotted at the Restore. I had an idea for it, for my tiki bar… CategoriesOther Rooms tiki and bars
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Sew your own sarong dresses — and more vintage dress styles — with patterns and fabrics from Gertie
In yesterday’s story about sarong dresses, rompers and cabana sets ala Alfred Shaheen for Unique Vintage, a reader commented that famed pattern designer Gertie also..
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Alfred Shaheen for Unique Vintage sarong dresses, cabana sets and more — oh my!
Kate knows I am all about the tiki so sent me this heads up the minute the word was out: Unique Vintage, the clothing company,..
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Vintage beaded curtains for the Mahalo Lounge entry way — magical mystery beckons
You only get one chance to make a good first impression. So the entry way into the Mahalo Lounge has been draped in beaded curtains...
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Vintage Orchids of Hawaii pendant lights — both now up in the Mahalo Lounge
I’m back on the Mahalo Lounge wagon, trying to finish. It’s slow going, I’ll tell you, because it’s all about the itty bitty details —..
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