ebay fail: the liability of not looking closely at listings

I have a special spot in the kitchen reserved for a mid-century atomic style clock. And, I have been looking at eBay listings for mid-century atomic clocks for a long time. I finally spotted the perfect clock. Before you can say "buy now," I entered a bid.

This picture is from the actual listing. Don't you think the Indian on the wall is a nice touch?

retro cook-off: mother's little helper

Family meals in our household growing up were a shared duty. My sister and I were both responsible for at least one meal a week night, as was our dad. My mom usually left a recipe out on the counter with a note, "For dinner." In case we didn't get it.

My FAVORITE dinner to make used all of these readily available, fresh from your refrigerator ingredients.

Who doesn't have a pack of Crescent rolls laying around?

abstract versus realist: brenda k. bredvik and tom swimm

In love, everyone knows opposites attract. Said Andy Warhol, "The most exciting attractions are between two opposites that never meet." 

Two polar opposites, abstract artistic Brenda K. Bredvik and realist artist Tom Swimm co-created an exhibit and then held their joint opening night reception, Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Pacific Edge Gallery in Laguna Beach, California,.

Roses in the Window versus Trio.

Realist, Tom Swimm

Abstract, Brenda K. Bredvik

Who won this dual? You decide.

retro ornament christmas wreath: by georgia peachez

In the spirit of Superstorm Sandy, we are skipping Halloween and plunging straight into Christmas. Well, actually it was my mom's birthday last week (what, you didn't get October 24th off?) and I gave her the BEST GIFT EVER.

Best. Gift. Ever.

A big jumbley pile of old Christmas ornaments? Come on, seriously?

selling out! palm springs modernism week 2013

Palm Springs, California is considered the mother of all things (desert) mid-century modern. And Palm Springs Modernism Week 2013, held from February 14th - 24th, 2013 is an eleven day desert modernism extravaganza.

Photo courtesy of ModenrismWeek.

If 2013 is anything like 2012, tickets to the week's events will sell out quicker than you can say mid-century mid-atomic.

hot and bothered for heywood-wakefield?

If you find Heywood-Wakefield indeed irresistible, I do believe I have the cure. Head immediately to Woody's Antiques in Orange. There is enough Hey-Wake in this establishment to bring even the most stoic mid-century modernist to tears.

Woodys
Mid-Century Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (4.6)

169 N. Glassell

Orange, CA 92866

(714) 744-8199

Woody's Antiques

An unassuming store front for sure.

how similar are 21st century modern and mid-century?

21st century modern and mid-century modern are extremely similar as it turns out. Most decent modern design today has its roots firmly in mid-century. And most mid-century has its roots squarely in Southern California.

Munson Residence, photo by David Harrison.

You are wondering where this is heading? A phenomenal Dwell tour will happen in San Diego (my backyard), November 9-11, 2012. 

christmas in october: roger's gardens

Christmas should be like the Olympics--held every four years. Then, like the recent 2012 Summer Olympics, when Christmas finally rolls around, we could work ourselves up into a fever pitch enjoying it. I am the last person you would expect to remind anyone, that the holidays are right around the corner.

Sorry to disappoint. But the holidays really are right around the corner. And, the infamous Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar, California opened their Christmas Boutique, The Magic of Christmas, on October 1st. Relax, Costco has had Christmas up since August at least.

mid-century halloween at roger's gardens

Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar, California has been selling their ridiculously over-priced gardening and home decorating goods to the citizens of Newport Beach for over 35 years. With their approximate location being less than five minutes from my home, I have been known to drop in. Especially around the holidays.

Intrigued?

what is wrong with this house?

I pass by this newly constructed, crisp & clean, MODERN home at least once a week.  I have attended open houses there a dozen times. Frankly, it is my fantasy house -- an open plan, built around a courtyard, no yard, flat roof, plank ceilings, ocean view, not too big, and not too small. It has been on the market for 511 days.

711 K'Thanga Drive, Corona del Mar, CA. Over view compliments of Google Maps.

A year and a half unsold? What is wrong with this house?