WOW! Just read this article at Grain Edit. The jaw-dropping mid-century modern home featured in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (the home of his best friend, Cameron) is for sale! It’s in Highland Park, IL and was built in 1953.
$2.3 million. Ouch.
Check it out!
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Pam at Retro Renovation has put up a link to an article in the current issue of Women’s Day that is of definite interest to our readers:
http://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/29/life-in-the-1950sthrough-today/
If you enjoyed our article, Surviving in Modern Times vs. The 1950s Ideal, you should definitely check it out!
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Ah, summer! There’s nothing like a warm night and 75 of your closest friends to make for a relaxing evening…ok, 75 is totally unreasonable, especially for our backyard! Here is Atomic Radar’s guide to having a fun, vintage-inspired backyard BBQ bash, now that we’re heading towards Memorial Day weekend and the many lazy summer days ahead.
Further Reading:
Here are three of my favorite batch-cocktail recipes!
Margaritas (on the rocks)
Makes 4
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Coarse salt
- Ice cubes
- 1 1/4 cups freshly squeezed lime juice OR Simply Limeade
- 1 cup best-quality white tequila
- 1/3 cup Cointreau or Triple Sec
- 1/3 cup sugar, plus more if desired (use less if using Simply Limeade)
To salt-rim the glasses, rub a cut lime around the rim of each of 4 stemmed goblets. Fill a saucer with salt. Dip goblet, upside down, into salt. Refrigerate goblets until ready to use.
If you have an electric ice-cream maker (not the kind that requires ice or salt), you can make perfect restaurant-style frozen margaritas in the ice-cream maker. I have a Cuisinart ice cream and sorbet maker that works perfectly for this; it has a canister that you freeze ahead of time, so it doesn’t require ice or salt. Caveat: you can only make one batch of the above recipe at a time or it will not freeze. I doubled the recipe and tried it in the Cuisinart, and it never froze. After freezing, you’ll have to transport to a pitcher and freeze, or serve immediately, and the canister will have to be re-frozen before making another batch.
Pink Grapefruit Margaritas (on the rocks)
- Serves 10
- 1 lime, cut into wedges, or pink grapefruit wedges for garnish
- Coarse salt
- 2 1/2 cups tequila
- 1 1/4 cups Cointreau or Triple Sec
- 1 1/4 cups ruby red grapefruit juice
- 1/2 cup pomegranate juice (optional)
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice OR Simply Limeade
- See above margarita recipe for serving/salting
Mai Tais (warning: dangerously strong)
- Makes 32 servings
- 2 cups light rum
- 1 cup dark rum
- 1 cup 151 proof rum
- 1 cup orange curacao (orange flavored liqueur)
- 1 cup almond flavored syrup
- 1 cup simple syrup
- 10 limes, juiced
- 1/2 gallon fresh orange juice
In a large jar or drink cooler, combine the light rum, dark rum, 151 rum, orange liqueur, almond syrup, simple syrup, and lime juice. Stir and top off with orange juice. Do not use grenadine if you want the true Mai Tai! Serve in 8 to 12 ounce glasses with ice.
Go forth and BBQ, kids! And please, share your favorite BBQ tips, stories, suggestions, or recipes with us!
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Being the vintage “lifers” that we are, Scott and I frequently wax nostalgic about the past that we love, but never knew. It is both fascinating and inexplicable to us that both of us gravitate towards an era that was at least a full generation ahead of us, that our parents had long rejected as their own past. We each cultivated our 1950s ideal from endless, tireless digging through the old boxes of family photos. Old cars…so much more visually stimulating than the 1970s models on the road (ever notice how, after the automobile became a staple in the average family household, people loved to take their snapshots by the car? It was their main status symbol). Kitchens, living rooms, barbeques, babies on bearskin rugs, doilies, knicknacks, turkey dinners, Christmas mornings, nameless relatives with familiar faces posing, mugging for the camera, surprised, jumping into lakes, having picnics, sweaty/working, shopping, loving…I could look at those photos for hours upon hours. I didn’t realize when I was younger what an impact they would have on me, or the power they had in shaping my own adult self-consciousness. Life…life was simpler then.
My grandfather was a carpenter. My grandmother was a stay-at-home-mom. They had 3 children, a nice house in a nice neighborhood, a car, some brilliant living room furniture (which my grandmother hated and I would now give my eyeteeth for; see the top photo). All the neighbors knew each other, all the kids played together, the dads all came home at the same time, etc…you know, the standard suburbia story. In today’s economy, a carpenter would not be able to support a housewife, three kids, a mortgage, and a car payment.
So what changed, and when? When did it become so hard to have an “average” life on an “average” income? When did the American Dream become unattainable for so many?
Scott and I like to think of ourselves as pretty thrifty people. Partly out of need, and partly out of choice. When you visit our modest house, you might think we have a wealth of pricey mid-century modern furniture and collectibles inside. And the truth is, our entire house is outfitted with it…but it came from a combined 20+ years of collecting, and none of it ever carried a high-end price tag; it all came from thrift stores and estate sales. We may go into high-end mid-century stores and drool, but that stuff is way out of our budget! So we do it on a shoestring, gradually, and in a way we can afford that won’t put us in debt. We have two old cars, but one is for sale. We both work full-time and scramble whatever we can on the side. Yet, we still can’t seem to get ahead. We are not extravagant people. We shop at thrift stores, we eat out once a week, and occasionally we’ll splurge on a goodie. And this is how we have always lived, even before the Recession; now we are really feeling the pinch.
There is a wonderful article in the April 2009 issue of Vanity Fair called “Rethinking the American Dream” about this very topic. It is highly recommended reading. A quote:
“What’s striking about the Ozzie and Harriet-style 50s dream is its relative modesty of scale. The dream homes seem downright dowdy to modern eyes.”
Sometime after the 50s (or, maybe even BECAUSE of the 50s), consumerism spun out of control. More, more, more. I grew up in a 2-bedroom house with my mom and grandmother. The single bathroom was challenging at times, but we had a close-knit clan and the smallness of the house never seemed to be an issue, even though I shared a room with my mom, who was more like my sister/best friend. I would visit friends who lived in enormous houses…I don’t think I experienced jealousy, but I would think, “Someday I will have a house this big.” That hasn’t happened yet, and I doubt it ever will. I see huge (2500+ sq ft) houses going up all over my city despite the constant reports I hear on the radio about the dismal housing industry, and I always wonder, “Who is buying these things? And how can they afford them?”
I don’t think people need enormous houses. In the past, old money would pass houses through its generations. Now, younger people are likely to sell or (God forbid) tear down inherited houses because they just aren’t big enough. Seriously…how big a house do you NEED? My thing is storage and closets…old houses aren’t always well-endowed in these areas, but you know what — I can deal. I’d rather have small closets and character than a cloned house in a tightly-packed subdivision with no soul, with about 10,000 square feet more than I need.
I think people are getting desensitized to reality as a by-product of the American fascination with celebrity. I think the beginning was with “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” and culminated with MTV Cribs (my good friend Kim Lenz is a big believer in this theory of conspicuous consumption). In the past, your average person didn’t have access to this world. You were either in it or you weren’t, and you didn’t read about it or see it on TV. Now, you’re seeing how the other half lives, in all its “glory.” Then the tabloids (both print and television) start worshiping the celebs, showing pictures of their cliffside Malibu dwellings…the cars, the outdoor showers, the vacation homes, the dry-cleaners-style closets, the thousand pairs of shoes.
I’m not knocking wealth…that is not the topic here. How people choose to spend their money is up to them. I’m merely talking about a desire to live a certain lifestyle, even if it is outside of your means. I think that very attitude is what has contributed to the downfall of our economy. “Charge it! Finance it! I WANT IT. Who cares if it’s just the two of us…I want a 10,000 square foot house with a jacuzzi a pool a Porsche SUV a granite/stainless kitchen and a closet the size of the house I grew up in.” Greed has Americans by the throat.
I think the American Dream is still attainable. Like everything though, it has to adapt. Scott and I are trying to reach it…we bought a house, we each own a car. I think a lot of us who are “Vintage Lifers” are in the same boat. So give us your thoughts on the topic…what is your idea of the American Dream? Can we still have it? What does it mean to you? Comment away!
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Looking to start a new business? Maybe you already have a business but you just want to stand out from all the rest. Got a band? Need a website or promotional materials? Well…do you want to know where the coolest get their cool? Ever wonder who comes up with all the killer images, design, and layout for your favorite artist’s CDs and builds those awesome websites? Well…chances are if you have picked up a Kim Lenz CD lately or visited Big Sandy’s website, then your peepers have already feasted upon the artwork of one of the most sought-after graphic designers in the vintage design arena. Stacie over at Heelgrinder Pop Imagery, is the pixel wrangler responsible for translating all that is “hep” into a visual medium. It’s like this, see…if you have a real gone business or a hot band, how are you going to make sure that the general populace will truly get what you’re all about? Easy…you have to collaborate with somebody who can understand what direction you are headed and can lead you from your dream to the visual reality of the finished project. That’s what Stacie over at Heelgrinder Pop Imagery does for a living, and she does it well. From single-page websites with just the basics to multi-functional, multi-page jobs, she’s got you covered. Need printed materials, swell business cards or brochures? She’s got you covered there too. This one-woman pixel-powerhouse can size up your design needs and custom-tailor your web or print design from scratch. Think of it as a shiny new outfit custom-made of pixels in which you can step out into the world wide web with style. After all, a site stitched together by your neighbor’s 8th grade nephew just ain’t gonna cut it! Do yourself a favor and remember that the only thing you can’t afford is bad design! Graphic design should accurately represent you and your business, because it speaks on your behalf before you ever even get the chance. Why not do the smart thing and let Stacie over at Heelgrinder Pop Imagery put something together that speaks your language and does all the talking? After all, if a picture is worth a thousand words, then a website should speak volumes about you and your business. For a list of clients and references and to view this gal’s killer portfolio, visit www.heelgrinder.com and drop Stacie a line. This is a one-woman show, so you’re not going to pay steep corporate prices either, and we can all appreciate that in this day and age.
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NPR’s brilliant (and now sadly defunct, as of mid-March) radio program, Day to Day, did a feature on the rehab of mid-century modern homes in Las Vegas. It is a short segment and definitely worth a listen; not only does it discuss the rescue and rehabilitation of homes in Sin City, it also discusses Las Vegas’s predilection for tearing down the old in favor of the new. Although I love visiting Las Vegas (and I visit there once a year), it saddens me to see how willing the city is to dispose of historic architecture, and thereby, dispose of the very culture that Vegas was originally built upon.
This story was very heartening!
The introduction:
Day to Day, March 16, 2009 · Down-at-the heels residential neighborhoods off the Las Vegas strip are reviving as young urban homesteaders — including the Swanks — move into decaying “mid-century modern” homes. Think sunken lounge and stainless steel.
The link to listen:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101944925
It will be a worthwhile use of five minutes…take a listen!
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Viva Las Vegas is the largest, longest-running rockabilly weekender in the United States. This is an event where vintage clothing, desperate rock-n-roll, and car culture all collide for four days. It’s a place where past meets present, and where young and old alike can get their kicks on the dancefloor at all-night record hops. This is a place where many, like my wife and I, can feel completely at home amidst a sea of “strangers” because nearly everyone at the event shares some kind of common thread. For some, that thread is the vintage cars, for others it’s the music and the clothes. For a few…it’s about ALL things vintage. I guess I shouldn’t say we are amidst strangers at all, because truthfully we have made so many friends over the years that I would say that there really are no strangers…only friends we haven’t yet met. This year’s event is taking place April 9th through April 12th, 2009 at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visit www.vivalasvegas.net for more information on wristbands and booking. We will be slingin’ vintage threads out there once again, so be sure to look for Top Stitch Vintage in the Bienville Room at the Orleans! In the meantime, enjoy these videos of past VLV experiences to tide you over. We’ll see y’all down the road at VLV12!
From Viva Las Vegas 2008, Jiving Competition:
From Viva Las Vegas 2007, Jiving Competition:
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From The Austinist:
On Sunday, the Blanton Museum of Art debuts their latest special exhibit, Birth of the Cool. The show focuses on art, design, and culture from the West Coast from around the mid-century. This ambitious exhibit encompasses not only visual art, but also the architecture, furniture design, film, and music that have come to exemplify the mid-century modern aesthetic. To get a sense of the style, think mod glass penthouses, Eames loungers, and Miles Davis on the stereo (hence the name of the exhibit).
To tackle the formidable task of recognizing the many facets of mid-century modern culture, the Blanton’s exhibit will be augmented by events and programs brought about by collaborating with many of Austin’s cultural powerhouses.
The Drafthouse and the Austin Film Society have joined forces to sponsor a film series that will screen mid-century films. The Austin chapter of the American Institute of Architects is producing a self-guided tour of mid-century modern architecture around town. The iconic Elephant Room has put together a concert series with musicians performing pieces from the period. UT’s Odyssey School for Continuing Education is even holding a lecture series focusing on the roots and influences of modernism in architecture. Many local businesses are offering discounts or special deals to customers who show their Blanton receipts at the time of purchase.
Birth of the Cool
February 22 through May 17
The Blanton Museum of Art (The University of Texas at Austin, MLK at Congress Ave.)
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Long Beach is a definite must-visit for vintage enthusiasts! 4th Street, a.k.a. Retro Row, is loaded with mid-century modern shops and vintage clothing stores. One of my favorites by far is Sneaky Tiki Boutique, located next door to Hawleywood’s Barber Shop, at 2234A East 4th Street. They have a fantastic selection of men’s and women’s vintage clothing and shoes, as well as reproduction accessories.
Also of note is Liberty Vintage at 2146 East 4th Street, which is also home to Big Ed’s Rockabilly — probably the finest selection of vintage rockin’ tracks you’ll ever find in one place. Big Ed also stocks a huge booth at the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender each year.
If you’re in the LA area, make it a point to visit Long Beach. You can spend an entire day drooling over the teak furniture and vintage threads!
A section of vintage men’s shirts @ Sneaky Tiki.
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Alright, this one is for the guys! I’ve seen lots of “how to’s” and tutorials for gals on how to get killer jelly rolls and other vintage hairstyles, but not much on how fellas can get a swell, authentic pompadour. I think I need to stress the word AUTHENTIC in this post, as we aren’t talking about any nouveau-psychobilly-chickenboy-smokestacks here. If you are after a real, vintage-looking haircut it all starts at your local barbershop. Flat-tops and butch haircuts aside, the hair will need to be left longer on top than on the back and sides so you can sweep the front/top into a nice “pomp” while keeping a nicely tapered appearance around the sides and back. The exact length of the sides and back can be completely left up to the individual, but the ideal outcome should be a neatly groomed head of hair.
Now that you are fresh from the barbershop, having gotten your haircut and a straight-razor shave on your neck…hopefully a little bay rum or Lucky Tiger dabbed afterward, we need to talk about products! There are lots of different hair jellies, pomades, and dressings out there. You will most likely need to try a few out to get the right hold for your specific type of hair, but the following ones are a few that I have had personal experience with. Let’s first talk about HOLD. For awesome hold, I might 
suggest Murray’s Superior Hair Dressing Pomade (available at most grocers in the US). Murray’s is a thick pomade that will hold most hair types in nearly ANY style. It’s great for shaping your hair into the desired look yet is still comb-able. The main drawback to Murray’s is that it takes days to wash out and your girlfriend/wife will most likely make you sleep with a t-shirt or towel over the “good” pillow cases so you don’t ruin them with your greasy mop. 
Murray’s does have a “lite” version but it doesn’t hold as well. Lite pomades DO have a place in this post, however, and they come in after establishing a good hold for your hairstyle. I tend to use Murray’s to get my hair into the desired style and then use a lite pomade like Royal Crown, Sweet Georgia Brown, or Murray’s “Lite” on top to give me some shine.
If the greasy pillow-case situation causes too much grief at home, be sure to check out a product by the top-notch Hawleywood’s Barber Shop, called Layrite. Layrite is to be used on DRY hair, and it holds extremely well, it’s comb-able after application, AND it washes out like a gel product! This way you get to keep your slick pomp and your old lady keeps her nice pillow-cases, thus making everybody happy. Another benefit to Layrite is the pleasing aroma, which smells like vanilla. Most of the other products on the market, except for Sweet Georgia Brown, have no noticeable fragrance. layrite has a “Hy-Sheen”, and comes in a “regular” and “Super” hold. I have found that both are outstanding at holding my hair in place. The only drawback to Layrite is that I can’t get my hands on it fast enough when I need it, but that’s only because I live in Texas. Layrite can be ordered online through Hawleywood’s Barbershop, or picked up at either of their two shops in Southern California.
Now that you are groomed and have tried lots of different pomades, hair jellies, and dressings, we need to address the manner in which you actually style your hair. Keep in mind that most men of the 1940’s and 1950’s era actually parted their hair on one side or the other, and didn’t strive for maximum altitude when sweeping their coiffure upward in the front. I see lots of guys at different rockabilly events that insist on NO part in their hair, and sweep the front sky-high, thus achieving a cartoonish silhouette. We are striving for authenticity here and not making a mockery of vintage hairstyles. On that note, please…watch the clips provided in this post and also feel free to dig around for vintage photos of the era and notice that you don’t see any guys rockin’ an 8 or 9-inch-tall cone on the front of their head. If you are after the exaggerated smokestack-chickenboy pomp, then put on your creepers and chain wallet and move along. Be sure to also stock up on a nice cache of Ace or Goody combs to tuck into your back pocket because I have lost about 783 in the last two years alone. You don’t want to get whacked upside your nicely coiffed pompadour while dancing with your best gal and not be able to address the situation (please wait until after the song is over before combing your hair).
Now that you have these basic instructions at your disposal, I wish you many years of happy combing! Be sure to leave a comment if there is anything I failed to address or if there is a product out there that you have had great success with that I didn’t mention, we are always happy to hear from our well-groomed readers!
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