Home Sweet Home

David & I were featured in this week's Home Sweet Home article on an exciting blog for Mid Century lovers in the Sacramento area. How cool is that?

When we were first approached I felt a little intimidated to be under the microscope of MCM specialists. Then reality set in. David and I have worked hard to incorporate MCM style into our daily living and are proud to show off our ever expanding collection. We had a blast hanging out with Toni and Serene for the day and look forward to seeing them again.

Rooky Ricardo's Records

If you love vinyl then an excursion to Rooky Ricardo's on Haight Street in San Francisco is a must. Owner, Dick Vivian, is not only a genius when it comes to music from the late 50s through 70s, but a blast to talk to.

Puppy Love

I had one of those moments again when I spotted something on Etsy and knew it was meant to be mine. Not a huge fan of poodles (more the bulldog type) this particular dog with its unruly curls was too tacky to pass up. Plus, it helped feed a relatively new obsession of mine - Gravel Art.

DIY gravel art kits were the rage back in the late 50s early 60s. Being the late bloomer that I am, I first discovered this craze when I bought my first panel at Midway in Sacramento earlier this summer. We now own five of various themes.

Unfortunately my web search did not uncover much in terms of how this fad came to be but thanks to people like SuZanna Anna these kits are still alive.

Feeding My Barware Obsession

There is probably nothing I like more in life than vintage barware. Well, except shoes. Especially those with peek-a-boo toes but that is another story. David surprised me recently when he came home with package from eBay with these adorable highballs inside. Six in total in an array of festive colors. They just scream refreshing cocktail by a pool in Palm Springs. Now I only need a plane ticket.

Lane Restoration Project is FINALLY Done

I blame Mother Nature for the delay since it has been too damp to finish the lane project I started over a month ago. Right before our last Bay Area storm, however, it was sunny enough for me to put on the finishing touches (aka. Teak Wood Oil) to complete this project once and for all. Although a little harder than that store clerk said I am happy with the results.

Hey Buddy, Do You Have The Time?

Ok, we went a little wild. While shopping at an antique mall in Healdsburg we uncovered a retirement sale that translated to 50% off everything. And we liked everything. Not sure how long he collected but this soon-to-be retiree's specialty was vintage advertising clocks - many pre-1970.

As with most of our finds our intention was to purchase a few clocks to resale at our space but they seemed to have found a better home adorning the wall of our kitchen. My favorite is the Sprite.

A Truly Atomic Chess Set

During a recent search for mid-century treasures at the Alemany Flea Market, David spotted this unique chess set. Despite missing 5 pieces and board, this chess set screamed Eames era and therefore would feel right at home in our living room. After a quick web search we discovered that this modernist styled aluminum chess set was designed by Austin E. Cox for Austin Enterprises and manufactured by the Alcoa Aluminum Company in 1962. He created a slightly different set in 1967 but this particular set seems to be the most desired. Thanks to the wisdom of the internet, we also discovered that David lucked out on the low price of his purchase. My hope is to slowly find the missing pieces & board to complete this set. Luckily, we are both young.

Introducing Cathrineholm

When I came across this cheerful casserole without its lid at the Alameda Flea Market recently it was love at first sight. Still a HUGE fan of Pyrex, Cathrineholm designs ranks second on my love scale for vintage cookware. As a leading artist of Scandinavian design movement in the 50s, Norwegian designer Grete Korsmo Prytz-Kittelsen captured the optimism of the era through her work with Cathrineholm. It was common for her cookware to line the shelves of most Norwegian homes during that time. Well respected for her contribution to mid-century design Kittelsen was made a knight by her county before her death earlier this year.

As one blogger put it, Cathrineholm designs is the gateway drug for vintage cookware collectors. It is not hard to see why.

Sacramento Antique Faire

Best hidden secret is the antique fair under the freeway overpass on 21st between W & X Streets in Sacramento. We discovered it on a whim as an excuse for a weekend getaway and now have gone back twice since that time. This flea market opens its doors on the second Sunday of the month between the hours of 6:30-3:00pm. Yes, it is in Sacramento which means an 1 1/2 to 2 hr trek for us living in the Bay Area but the non-city prices makes the money spent on gas seem like a bargain. The decent selection of mid-century furniture will keep me coming back.

Another eBay Casualty

It would have been grand but somehow somewhere during its journey across the US to our home in San Francisco this Magnavox Stereo from the early 60s perished. David knew when he purchased it on eBay that it would need some repairs to get it working again but did not expect this. It is crushed beyond repair. Guess it is time for another eBay memorial service. Bummer.