Julie Newmar and the Swanky Apartment

I was rummaging through LIFE.com (because I like rummaging through the virtual world about as much as I do in real life) and spied Julie Newmar's photo shoot showcasing a particular play she was appearing in back in the late 50's.

Now, when you usually think of Miss Newmar, you immediately associate her with Catwoman from the 1960's TV series. But indeed she was very busy slinky sedctress before then. So, let's get back to my point here... In 1958 she did this photo shoot/story in LIFE magazine after being cast for the Broadway play The Marriage-Go-Round.

Aside from Miss Newmar, the imagery we see is of the set from this Broadway production. We only get a glimpse of this backdrop, but sometimes that's all one needs for some inspiration. It's very 50's, with just enough Modern thrown in; there's those tall champagne-pink bookcases with matching sofa, all loaded with volumes and volumes, a touch of African art here and there, the sculpted glass brandy bottles and I love the built-in radio.

Now why can't my pad look like this? Because I'm not that suave, swanky and sophisticated, that's why!

Anyway, enjoy Julie and the setting, you can read the rest of the story by clicking on any of the photos -

Sorry Space Commander, you didn't win this auction.

*sigh*

Italian Modern Abstract Bowl 1950's Original w NR

Atomic Dining for Space-Age Lovers, and a Resolution?

Well another new year is born and another one bites the dust. It's a time when people often clean out the old to make a fresh start or make new year's resolutions. First of all I'm going to do a slight clean up to my blog by removing the playlist that's been floating at the bottom of the page for far too long - especially since it's been bogging-down the vintage Etch-a-Sketch computer that I use whenever I attempt to load the darned thing :)

The playlist will be kept archived here in this post since there may be someone out there who may still have some fun from it.

Next I need to make a New Year's resolution... hmmmm, that's quite a bit harder. Maybe I should resolve to put away all the Christmas decor before the end of January this year? Nope, that is a challenge for me, but not challenging enough!

The past is history and one should look ahead. It's time for a change. I'm bored of looking at these same four walls. I need something new, something exciting and different. Maybe Mid Century Mod has had it's day, it's dated and out of place today. Should I give this up, sell it all off and start decorating in vintage 70's decor with macrame owls hanging from the wall and some groovy lava lamps? Just as dated. A little Shabby Chic? Not in this man cave. Maybe we could go for a home make-over in all new post-millennial, like in the photo above? Let me think about that one for awhile. In the meantime I'll ask you this:

Do any of you make a resolution for the new year? And if so, just what is it that you're making a pinky-swear to do?

Vintage Russian Space Race Souvineer

Oh my... just look at this will you!

A vintage space race ceramic space statuette, one of those dreamy items you see from Russia that make you wonder why our country hadn't come up with first. It's always interesting to me to see the similarities and the different tangents our two countries took in memorializing our passion for space travel. This particular piece is commorating the successful launch of Vostok 2 back in August 1961.

This would be absolutely amazing in the den with the other vintage space collectibles. And for only $250? Well I do love the look of this one, but I'm not about to start pulling my savings out from under the bed mattress just yet, even for this spiffy space ashtray.

Why is it Russian space souvenirs have to be so darned expensive anyway? :P

See the listing on eBay: 1960s VINTAGE RUSSIAN PORCELAIN SOUVENIR SPACE PROGRAM

Looky What I Found Today

Today was a good day. Then I went shopping. And Today got even better.

My eyes must have popped-out when they caught this atomic boomerang record album rack at my favorite hangout for the mid century style-concious. It has the hand-crafted look like it was made in shop class or someone's garage workshop, but it's all high-end styling! And look at the cool stringwork on the back rest...


Bandito the marionette wasn't spotted until I was being rung through at the checkout counter of another shop. He's now happily adding a bit of PeeWee bewilderment to Junior's abode.

A Perfect Combo

new lamp base, originally uploaded by NWW..

Bringing you another awesome example of coolness off of Flicker.

Fleamarket Finds

The annual Flea Market held at the event center this past weekend is now history. There didn't seem to be as many dealers offering MCM pieces this year (boo!), but I managed to dig out three deals:

• A red plastic Lustro-Ware silverware tray (I needed one - and it was a steal at $3.00)
• A vintage aluminum folding camp chair with striped fabric seat & back (I need one of these too - another good buy at $5.00)
• And the biggest prize, a classic bullet planter (Can one have too many? - and it was haggled down to $12.00). Go me!

Meet the Imitation Hymalayan Nanny Goat Rug!

"Wooly Bully" area rug at Lowes, offered in off white and cocoa brown in a variety of dimensions.

OooOOoOo... it's just like walking on yogurt! My bare living room floor has been dying for some T.L.C. like this for far too long...

The search took me through large area rugs, small rugs, dark ones and light. I looked at antique rag rugs, cowhide rugs, faux fur rugs(???) and almost settled on noodle rugs. And then... When I saw this baby on the showroom floor, it was L-O-V-E. I love this area rug. I bought it, bundled her carefully in the red wagon and carried her over the threshold in to her new home.

Mind you, she has one fault to overlook, she tends to shed mini fluffs with traffic. But that's okay. This rug will gently kiss your toes all day long without complaint. Ahhh-hhh...

Hip to the Jive Cats

Here's the mewest addition - my two ultra cool cats are ready to greet any and all honored guests to the pad. The vintage metal wall plaques were made by Sexton, they are as classic an example of 50's feline art as you can get. These two hip & happening Siamese cats have gold collars and a woodtone finish.

I know, I know... I'm breaking the most basic of the retro decorating rules - Groups of Three." But my set is missing the third smallest figure of the complete group. And I think these two alone fill out their narrow wall space quite nicely. Besides, the other most basic rule of No Clutter is no less dog-matic (err... pardon the pun) to each and every follower of modern style, is it?

My cats are slightly scruffy from age... they could get a breath of new life (one of their Nine lives, perhaps?) Aside from a tin of tuna or a saucer of milk, maybe a sleek smooth coat of satin-finish black paint is just the thing they yearn for?

Alvar Aalto Vase Competition

Here's one that is too easy to pass up. Lushpad.com is holding a drawing for an authentic Alvar Aalto "Savoy" vase, valued at $145. This competition is open to everyone, and its easy. Just enter a few short bits of information, including how many people you've told about Lushpad, and hit the enter button. That's all there is to it.

Enter HERE - and Good Luck!

Candy Dishes for the Space Age

Any one for a mint?



Here's a couple of un-boring shapes to serve up your guests in retro style. Naturally the split boomerang is my fave. It's a bright red glaze over ceramic, maker unknown. The dappled green glass plate is also unlabeled.

Joseph Shepherd Abstract on eBay

Work by Joseph H. Shepherd, done on illustration board, dated 1952. I want this on my living room wall. I love it simply for the geometry of all the shapes and interwoven parabolas. Look beyond the abstractionist aspect and you can make out the figure of the high-living lady.

Auction by Mo Moderne.