But I wouldn't want to live there ...

re•tro-life•styler : Any individual who appreciates a previous era, such as the 1950's. Not only does the individual appreciate it, but loves it enough to adapt it into their everyday current life.

I love mid-century modern design. I love collecting items (space toys, decor) from that decade. I love the tv programs and movies from that era. I even like reading old science fiction paperbacks. The sheer exuberence, forward-thinking into the future and the optimism of the time, it all carried into so many aspects that went into products sold to consumers, which we can appreciate today.

So there you have a definition of what I mean by a retro lifestyler.

Do I love everything about the fifties? Nope. Nada. No way, Jose' I'm a child of my time. If a time machine were to transport back and drop me off, the culture shock would be so great I doubt if I'd ever truely go native and fully adapt.

After all, as a kid I did want to grow up and live in one of those futuristic push-button homes that you always heard about (George Jetson's pad had a definite 50's flavor, didn't it?).

The Fifties - It might be a fun place to visit, but (for me anyway) I wouldn't want to live there ;)

What Ever Happened to Ruby Montana?

What ever happened to Ruby Montana, the indesputed Queen of Cowboy Kitsch? Oh how I looked forward to getting her mail order catalogs for her shop Ruby Montana's Pinto Pony, located in the great northwest... and deciding what I should spend my meagerly saved pennies on :)

Ruby Montana
by James Crotty
September 15, 1998
The Queen of Kitsch

Rex Ray

Retro Artist for Today

REX RAY | rexray.com


I saw this print come into the store four months ago and sell out in a week. More came in, time passed, but I kept gravitating to this print. I can't explain it, I just like it, except to say Art is a personal thing. It speaks to me... "take me home!" so that's exactly what I did.

According to his biography, Rex Ray is a San Francisco based fine artist whose paintings and drawings have been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums. He is also a celebrated graphic designer. His highly collectible artwork is coveted in design as well as art circles. Abstract and handcrafted, with a retro-futuristic mid-century feel, Rex Ray's meditations on fluid forms are a rare combination of sophistication and decorative appeal.

You can strive to be totally Fifties in your decor, but I think you lose out on whats to come, the exciting, and the looking ahead that made up so much of the Modern movement. Don't lose track by looking back. Pull in something brand new among the vintage.

What We Watch - Sid Caesar

There have been a number of Sid Caesar releases out for awhile, but I just watched this one again. Like everything else, I used to watch the "Best of Your Show of Shows" when it was in syndication, usually with me doubled over from laughing so hard. Sid's timing and facial expressions make him timeless. It's no wonder why he is a pioneer of television.

One of my favorite ongoing skits was Sid's slant on a modern atomic age couple in "the Commuters." The first offering on the dvd is "Nan Hires a Maid" where wife Nan (Nanette Fabray) has had enough of picking up after hubby Sid's slovenly ways and hires blond-headed, Brooklyn-tounged bombshell to be the new house-keeper. It isn't long before mayhem erupts, Sid Caesar style.

...And the "au courant" home set isn't half bad either.

Radio Line Scooter

In the Fifties, it wasn't just bikes and little red wagons
kids clamoured for


Produced in the 50's and early 60's, you can see these scooters pop up from time to time in the shops, missing chunks of the hard rubber tires, covered in orange rust and looking very neglected.

If you are in the process of restoring one of these, there are scooter decals available through this site.

If you're interested in browsing through retro reproductions, try Radio Flyer's site.

Unlike most this foot scooter is in nice shape. A little bit of fine steel wool, cleaner, elbow grease, and Junior's good to go!

Atomic Moms

Mothers deserve MORE respect. Sure moms on average are held in very high esteem by their offspring, but the actual Job of Motherhood is not. Lets just say that sometimes it's not exactly looked upon by the enlightened with admiration.

If your choice is to stay at home, raise your kids and make a house into a home, you'll often find more scorn than sympathy. Yet a growing number of women, including young mothers are turning their backs to the "me-first" culture and choose to face the "drudgery" head-on, nurture their home, family, and maybe even squeezing in 12 years of home-schooling just for good measure!

Sure, Retro Mom's may get ridiculed at other places, but here at Atomic Living we couldn't respect you more! As a single dad, I struggle to manage the daily grind with the same cool expertise my Mom did. Hats off Mom, no paying job comes close to the high office you hold!

Rebath Alternative for Tired Tubs

Hmmm ... This might be a possible alternative to replacement or re-enameling that old tub. ReBath simply drives up to your front door, rings the bell and as quick as "zip-zip" installs a new liner custom molded to perfectly fit over your vintage tub (mine is "Arcadia").

According to their site, ReBath uses exact duplicates from an inventory of over 1,000 bathtub molds. Since they are using the same bathtub you have in your home to make your bathtub liner, they say they can guaranteed a perfect watertight fit for your tub or shower. They don't even need to remove your tiling. How cool is that?

*zip-zip quoted from the Chief of the Future, The Honeymooners, Episode 7 - "Better Living Through TV" ;)

Number 1 on the Runway

Nothing says "I'm a Hip Happenin' Cat"
quite like a propeller beanie cap.

"A" is for ATOMIC AGE TOYS!

I have a confession. I am crazy for atomic-age toys. Even though they predate my childhood for the most part (late 60's-70's), I did get my chubby little hands on quite a few hand-me-downs, such as my brother's Electric Robot and Son - minus the son.

Nothing has the styling, imagination or color combos today, especially when you're speaking of Japanese Tin. That's why collectors pay big bucks for these one-time common gems.

I have to settle more for a bargain-basement collection, mostly of space toys. Some of the repros and imitaions produced today are just as good as the originals (though to be honest, the Chinese have yet to attain the quality of craftsmanship that the Japanese achieved). Junior's room (retro-styled of course) is bursting with toys that I've aquired over a lifetime. Fortunately he doesn't seem to mind (yet), as long as Daddy shares the treasures with him every once in a while. He's captivated by them just as kids a generation before were.

Cars of the Future

I posted these over at the other blog, but thought this is appropriate for here as well...

1954 GM XP-21 Firebird



1956 Buick Centurion




1959 Cadillac Cyclone



View Car Styling for more...