A newer, more modern tear drop option is the T@B. They are a fun twist on the classic little weekender. I personally prefer a fixer-upper that I can put my blood, sweat, and tears into. They sure are cute though.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
I heart this blog!
I have been wanting to restore and old teardrop trailer for a few years now. I am always looking for ideas and her blog has some of the best I have seen. Her trailer is THE cutest little thing ever! The pink and black interior is to die for!
A newer, more modern tear drop option is the T@B. They are a fun twist on the classic little weekender. I personally prefer a fixer-upper that I can put my blood, sweat, and tears into. They sure are cute though.
A newer, more modern tear drop option is the T@B. They are a fun twist on the classic little weekender. I personally prefer a fixer-upper that I can put my blood, sweat, and tears into. They sure are cute though.
Monday, October 19, 2009
A girl can dream can't she?
These homes are drool inducing. There are seriously some amazing places! I just wonder who can afford these? 2 million, 6 million, 10.5 million?! Come on now.
Anthropologie has some pretty great aprons for those of you who don't mind reproductions. Personally, I'd rather hit a few flea markets or ebay and get authentic vintage, but they are good for someone not quite as ambitious.
Anthropologie has some pretty great aprons for those of you who don't mind reproductions. Personally, I'd rather hit a few flea markets or ebay and get authentic vintage, but they are good for someone not quite as ambitious.
837 Echo Road
Echo Road is in a well known Charleston-area neighborhood called Thousand Oaks. It is known for its great schools, close proximity to parks, and mid century modern homes. The homes in Thousand Oaks were all built around the same time by the same architect. They have geometric lines, stacked stone exteriors, and alot of granite detailing so we knew it was a good place to start our house hunting.
After driving by the house at 837 Echo Road we fell in love with the original exterior lighting, cut stone carport, and cozy setting. However, we had no idea if the inside would match its exterior charm so we called our realtor and made an appointment for the very next day.
We first walked up to an original door with a dimpled, frosted glass window. The door knob had a decorative brassy cover around it, and the door had a tri-rectangular design on it. It was a promising start to the tour.
Both Brent's and my mouth dropped open in unison as soon as we saw the exposed wood high beam ceilings, marble fireplace that ran floor to ceiling, and vintage custom made twill curtains. We saw original, flawless shag carpet, fabric wallpaper, and an entire wall of floor to ceiling windows. The entire home had original glass drop pendant lighting.
The kitchen had original granite floors, granite countertops, and original blonde solid wood cabinets in MINT condition. Even the hardware showed no signs of tarnishing! The appliances were the only disappointment we found - they had been updated.
Heading down the hall we passed a darling little laundry shoot and saw flawless hardwood floors that continued into both of the two upstairs bedrooms. Both rooms had original cannister light fixtures- MINT.
Next we opened the bathroom door. Our realtor, Brent, and I all 3 gasped in unison. Our realtor, out of repulsion; Brent and I out of pure JOY! It was my dream pink bathroom! From the double pink sink to the pink toilet and tub, to the pink circle mosaic tiles. The MINT condition wall paper was pink snowflakes with flecks of gold. The geometric medicine cabinet was stainless steel and glass. This too looked as if it had just been installed. It was pristine! The old linoleum floors needed replaced.
We headed downstairs. The steps were flanked by granite on one wall and vertical solid wood dowels on the other. The carpet was worn so I pulled up one corner to find gorgeous hardwoods underneath. Another hidden treasure.
At the base of the stairs was a built in stone planter. A matching stone fireplace sat in a family room that boasted original green/gold carpet, matching vintage custom curtains, and again a full wall of floor to ceiling windows! The only disadvantage was dark wood paneling that had obviously been put up in recent years.
There was another bedroom downstairs and a powder blue bathroom much like the pink one ustairs. It had a blue tub, sink, toilet, and tiles. It also had the geometric medicine cabinet and original light fixtures, but it had updated wallpaper (soon to be removed!) It also had old linoleum floors in need of replacement.
We knew the house had been on the market only 15 days and knew it was a hot property so we decided to make a full price offer and I wrote the owner a letter complimenting her home. We gave her 24 hours to accept or reject the offer. It was going to be a longgggg 24 hours, but it was in God's hands at that point.
Our realtor called us the next morning and said we got the house and it was a good thing we had offered full price because there was already another backup offer! It was like a dream come true. We would have our dream home in our dream neighborhood. We are now scheduled to close on the house in approximately 2 weeks.
After driving by the house at 837 Echo Road we fell in love with the original exterior lighting, cut stone carport, and cozy setting. However, we had no idea if the inside would match its exterior charm so we called our realtor and made an appointment for the very next day.
We first walked up to an original door with a dimpled, frosted glass window. The door knob had a decorative brassy cover around it, and the door had a tri-rectangular design on it. It was a promising start to the tour.
Both Brent's and my mouth dropped open in unison as soon as we saw the exposed wood high beam ceilings, marble fireplace that ran floor to ceiling, and vintage custom made twill curtains. We saw original, flawless shag carpet, fabric wallpaper, and an entire wall of floor to ceiling windows. The entire home had original glass drop pendant lighting.
The kitchen had original granite floors, granite countertops, and original blonde solid wood cabinets in MINT condition. Even the hardware showed no signs of tarnishing! The appliances were the only disappointment we found - they had been updated.
Heading down the hall we passed a darling little laundry shoot and saw flawless hardwood floors that continued into both of the two upstairs bedrooms. Both rooms had original cannister light fixtures- MINT.
Next we opened the bathroom door. Our realtor, Brent, and I all 3 gasped in unison. Our realtor, out of repulsion; Brent and I out of pure JOY! It was my dream pink bathroom! From the double pink sink to the pink toilet and tub, to the pink circle mosaic tiles. The MINT condition wall paper was pink snowflakes with flecks of gold. The geometric medicine cabinet was stainless steel and glass. This too looked as if it had just been installed. It was pristine! The old linoleum floors needed replaced.
We headed downstairs. The steps were flanked by granite on one wall and vertical solid wood dowels on the other. The carpet was worn so I pulled up one corner to find gorgeous hardwoods underneath. Another hidden treasure.
At the base of the stairs was a built in stone planter. A matching stone fireplace sat in a family room that boasted original green/gold carpet, matching vintage custom curtains, and again a full wall of floor to ceiling windows! The only disadvantage was dark wood paneling that had obviously been put up in recent years.
There was another bedroom downstairs and a powder blue bathroom much like the pink one ustairs. It had a blue tub, sink, toilet, and tiles. It also had the geometric medicine cabinet and original light fixtures, but it had updated wallpaper (soon to be removed!) It also had old linoleum floors in need of replacement.
We knew the house had been on the market only 15 days and knew it was a hot property so we decided to make a full price offer and I wrote the owner a letter complimenting her home. We gave her 24 hours to accept or reject the offer. It was going to be a longgggg 24 hours, but it was in God's hands at that point.
Our realtor called us the next morning and said we got the house and it was a good thing we had offered full price because there was already another backup offer! It was like a dream come true. We would have our dream home in our dream neighborhood. We are now scheduled to close on the house in approximately 2 weeks.
Oh how I love thee...
The Purple Moon is the ONLY mid-century store in the Charleston area and possibly in all of West Virginia. We just bought a couch and two chairs from here. Chuck, the owner, was wonderful. He is so full of knowledge and has a true passion for his wares. Before I left he gave me my first copy of Atomic Ranch magazine and a vintage Mary figurine to add to my collection. I can't wait to go back. He has a floor lamp and corner table I fell in love with.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Inspiration
I have always had an attraction to all things vintage. From the music and clothing, to the happy housewife persona and swing dancing. Yes, I am pretty sure I was born in the wrong decade.
It all started with listening to my grandma's stories and seeing photos of her and my grandfather. I used to imagine what it would have been like to see my grandpa as a younger man and to watch my grandma, as a young wife, say her goodbyes as he headed out to sea with the Merchant Marines.
I had many early influences. My mother, a suburban housewife, was an immaculate housekeeper, seamstress, and decorator. She was everything I wanted to be. She WAS the 1950's housewife. Her sister was the same. My aunt, also a collector, was the first person to introduce me to barkcloth, carnival glass, teak furniture, and vintage valentines.
By the time I was 17 I had begun collecting vintage hats and took an interest in pin up girls from some of the more well-known arists such as Elvgrin, Petty, and Vargas. These images covered the walls of my dorm room in college.
In college I began dating Brent. He, in a way, was another addition to my collection. The first time I met him he was wearing a vintage button up shirt and had perfect Elvis-esque sideburns. When he later wore a salvaged old western shirt I knew he would have to be mine!
During my college weekends we began hitting thrift stores and flea markets. Brent and I would buy little odds and ends and the occasional piece of vintage clothing.
After graduating college we were married and bought a home. It was a little 1950's craftsman bungalow. It had all of the darling details one might expect from a home that age. Hardwood floors, beautiful crown moulding, built in shelving framing a little fireplace, and high ceilings. It was the perfect place to start a REAL collection. We hit every flea market, yard sale, and thrift store we could find. We rummaged through our families basements and garages, and began decorating our home as if it were actually from the 1950's.
Two years after moving into the craftsman bungalow I found out I was pregnant with our little boy, Oscar. It was time to upsize. As much as we were pained to leave our little dream home, we knew we had outgrown it.
For what our new home lacked in character it made up with in size. It was a 2,000 SF, 4 bedroom rancher on almost a full acre of land. We lived there 5 years and although we liked the house, we missed the charm that only a retro home can offer so we listed it for sale and began house hunting. We looked at several homes on realtor.com and narrowed our search down to 3 mid-century homes. We drove past the first 2 and were disappointed, but as we drove past the 3rd it was love at first sight.
837 Echo Road - it is this 1963 mid-century modern home that has inspired this blog. Please follow us as we restore and work towards maintaining the authenticity of this wonderful time capsule.
It all started with listening to my grandma's stories and seeing photos of her and my grandfather. I used to imagine what it would have been like to see my grandpa as a younger man and to watch my grandma, as a young wife, say her goodbyes as he headed out to sea with the Merchant Marines.
I had many early influences. My mother, a suburban housewife, was an immaculate housekeeper, seamstress, and decorator. She was everything I wanted to be. She WAS the 1950's housewife. Her sister was the same. My aunt, also a collector, was the first person to introduce me to barkcloth, carnival glass, teak furniture, and vintage valentines.
By the time I was 17 I had begun collecting vintage hats and took an interest in pin up girls from some of the more well-known arists such as Elvgrin, Petty, and Vargas. These images covered the walls of my dorm room in college.
In college I began dating Brent. He, in a way, was another addition to my collection. The first time I met him he was wearing a vintage button up shirt and had perfect Elvis-esque sideburns. When he later wore a salvaged old western shirt I knew he would have to be mine!
During my college weekends we began hitting thrift stores and flea markets. Brent and I would buy little odds and ends and the occasional piece of vintage clothing.
After graduating college we were married and bought a home. It was a little 1950's craftsman bungalow. It had all of the darling details one might expect from a home that age. Hardwood floors, beautiful crown moulding, built in shelving framing a little fireplace, and high ceilings. It was the perfect place to start a REAL collection. We hit every flea market, yard sale, and thrift store we could find. We rummaged through our families basements and garages, and began decorating our home as if it were actually from the 1950's.
Two years after moving into the craftsman bungalow I found out I was pregnant with our little boy, Oscar. It was time to upsize. As much as we were pained to leave our little dream home, we knew we had outgrown it.
For what our new home lacked in character it made up with in size. It was a 2,000 SF, 4 bedroom rancher on almost a full acre of land. We lived there 5 years and although we liked the house, we missed the charm that only a retro home can offer so we listed it for sale and began house hunting. We looked at several homes on realtor.com and narrowed our search down to 3 mid-century homes. We drove past the first 2 and were disappointed, but as we drove past the 3rd it was love at first sight.
837 Echo Road - it is this 1963 mid-century modern home that has inspired this blog. Please follow us as we restore and work towards maintaining the authenticity of this wonderful time capsule.
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