RetroBabs Vintage

Welcome to the backyard wedding June is the month for weddings and here at RetroBabs we thought you might like to see how we used our vintage items and ideas to make Becky's fabulous wedding. Bec and Camm 1. Use old picture frames hanging from ribbon to make a portrait for photos.  Guests will have a fun time framing themselves. It is a good idea to provide a backdrop for group photos. Gingham themed backdrop is a flannel blanket!   2.  Make a Chupa' (tent/awning) out of old tent poles, trampoline parts, fabric etc.  Make the perfect spot to be married. Say your vows, a kiss for luck, create a focal point. PVC poles and trampoline arch add structure to the yard.         3.  Make flags and bunting to enhance the venue.  Use fabric sewn to string, old doilies, old handkerchiefs etc. 4.  Make lighting for the evening hours, use mason jars with candles inside, fish bowls dangle from wires for a ...

My husband and I go to estate sales and flea markets, resale shops and garage sales.  We tend to pick up the old, discarded printer drawers.  The ones we gravitate towards are usually in some back corner, covered in dust! The drawers were used by printers to hold the alphabet print blocks for newspapers in days gone by. The printer would have a bureau or dresser full of these drawers and they would slide out.  He would have his pick the the blocks. Printer drawer The drawers have lots of little dividers that are perfect spot for little figurines,coins, thimbles, collectibles, treasures etc. Add legs and you can make a funky, retro, coffee table So the hubby and I made one of these  drawers into a coffee table.  We had the legs and frame of an old mid-century modern table laying in the garage.   My husband,Len, mounted the printer drawer by making a frame for on top of the legs.   I found a piece of glass that would cover said drawer....

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...