RetroBabs Vintage

I like to reupholster single chairs if they have interesting backs. I think the back adds to the design. If you pick the right fabric it can enhance the over all look.  Here is an example of picking the fabric for the style of chair. Vintage bark cloth fabric with hunting motif  I think this chair being walnut and from the 40's would look silly covered in modern fabric, it just wouldn't fit the era of the chair. The dark colors and vivid green compliment the herringbone, wood diagonals on the back. I have another example to show you. This chair was a score, found in the garbage and is probably from the 1950's.  It has the same style as- Navy chairs (ladder back, sturdy aluminum).  The fabric I picked was actually from an old apron. I notice it has Miller High Life beer on it. I guess that was the beer of choice in the 50's.  I choose this fabric because of the fifty's vibe, a picnic scene. When is the last time you saw ties being worn at a picnic? ...

Vintage manual typewriters mixed with old cameras The summer is on the way and soon we will be in the Art, Craft, Vintage show circuit.  My favorite one is Vintage Bazaar in Chicago.  They have a great Pop Up Market. The outdoor market is a different feel, folks hawk their wares under the sun, people walk by, browse and chat. Hopefully BUY- but it is a cool experience just to be part of it. We meet so many interesting people. The true lovers of mid-century modern. Besides the vintage which I try to incorporate my art, my pottery and watercolors into the display, they seem to draw interest. My vintage suitcase displaying my paintings. A vintage dress form displays my pottery jewelry. It is fun to mix the two (art and vintage). By the end of the day the items become a bit Hodge Podge from folks picking them up and moving them around. It is a very flea market feel. So look for me sitting there in the hot sun, hopefully with a smile on my face. I w...

Vintage Haeger pottery and little pot from Joanna Drost pottery Hill-Rom desk, Lurelle Guild chair, Royal Aristocrat typewriter Succulents in rock garden I have been having spring fever and the itch to plant and get things growing. I started the plants out in the greenhouse today.  I am getting ready to garden.  This is a favorite project of mine- a garden window.  I asked the hubby if he had a decent piece of glass for a shelf.  He asked "Why, what for......?" Vintage donkey planter circa 1940's Vintage Mc Coy pottery Floating garden shelf of glass He is always leery of my projects.  I said I wanted a shelf of glass over my kitchen sink.  I wanted him to attach it to the two cabinets that flanked the sink. He rolled his eyes and informed me that it must be TEMPERED glass to hold the weight.  Details, details......... I just wanted a simple shelf. I think it turned out pretty well, if seems to float in space....

A neighbor gave me a vintage bedroom set, it included everything but the headboard.  I received 2 small dressers that fit together to form one long, ladies bureau/credenza and a mirror that fits between them.  One high boy dresser for a man/boy.  These were probably a set made from mahogany wood, circa 1940's or 1950's.  You know the type your mother or grandmother had for their entire married life!  Well with the help of my husband we were able to transform these three lovely dressers into refurbished things of beauty. Lets look at the BEFORE pics. They were in nice shape just needed a bit of glue on a veneer piece.  These pieces are so sturdy and have a lovely curved front which I am not sure translates in these photos. Now for the big reveal. The AFTER photos.  I suggested to my husband he make them ombre'- you know that gradual color change.  We picked a nice minty green, teal, aqua type color.  He got a little creative with th...

Cindy Fahnerstock-Schafer aka' Ira Mency I wanted to give a SHOUT OUT to two of my wonderful, Etsy friends and fellow vintage artists.  The first is, Cindy, from RetroChalet , she is a vintage shop owner and specializes in Melmac (plastic) dishes.  She has an interesting vintage blog and is an established expert on Russell Wright dinnerware.  (Read the story on how she inherited a collection of such.) I myself have a page on Pinterest and her Melmac dishes receives the most hits out of anything on my page!  The beautiful, creamy, pastel colors of that indistructable plasticware which we all used and admired circa 1950's-60's draws folks in and catches the eye.  That's it - EYE CANDY- and a must have for any retro kitchen! I wondered if you folks know that Cindy is also an artist and creates her art by assembling pieces of toys, dolls, eclectic mix of vintage etc. into abstract sculptures . Cindy's art is under the anagram/pen name, Ira Mency. FA...

Hello RetroBabs fans it's been awhile since my last post. I just thought I would share this fabulous quilt that Becky made for her son, Wynn. She handmade this quilt that consists of 4800 individual pieces. This is a full size quilt not just a lap quilt for a baby. She wanted it to be a cherished keepsake. I think it will be a family heirloom!! I also made a quilt for myself out of my vintage fabrics. This is a photo of the quilt on the back of the couch. ( I know it's hard to focus on the quilt with the two bathtime buddies on my lap. The big boy is Wynn and the other child is our new granddaughter, Noa!) I did buy a few retro looking fabrics to add to the color scheme I wanted. I had a lot of barkcloth, earth tones and psychedelic fabric in my collection. I forgot to mention we had two new grandchildren this year! Noa Lilou and Adeline Ivy. They are the apple of my eye as well as my other kiddos. Just wanted to give you guys an update. Keep warm - Be...

Hello fellow vintage lovers. Bec and I cannot believe what a whirlwind year this has been. I have a new job where I travel monthly and Bec had a new baby. His name is Wynn Elliott and he is the apple of his Grandmother's eye! We are truly blessed in our family to have two babies born this year. Noa Lilou came on Sept 8th I have been on a Jadiete/Jadite craze lately. Check out the mint green loveliness! Here is a Swirl mixing bowl size large and medium. They stack together. A Charm vegetable bowl and a saucer-plate. Beautiful Fire King ,Anchor Hocking collection. Check out RetroBabs on Etsy. Martha Stewart is a big collector of Jadeite. I'm just saying there is a trend happening in vintage housewares. Retro, kitsch from the 1950's is the newest craze. Bec and I wish you and yours a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for you readers and for our growing family.