Mid Century Paint Colors

I think I've found the color palette for our house! This fabulous mid-century home has beautiful tones of green and red--perfect for our lovely ranch.

DI-Wednesday: Rustic Modern Bench

I'm all about the simplicity of recycled materials in this project--just a plank of wood and a set of hairpin legs are all that separate you from a glorious rustic modern bench.

Monday Inspiration: Tiered Garden Stock Tanks

I love the mod-industrial look of stock tanks for gardening, but I'm ashamed to say I've never thought of this great idea for a tiered garden. The stock tanks have been cut to create overlapping circles and multi-layered planting beds. Genius!

Just For Fun: Eames House Blocks

These Eames House Blocks are pricey, but very cute--the perfect toy for baby and mama. I especially love the color blocks and the various shapes and patterns--you can never start too early when it comes to teaching proper decor.

Friday Finds: Danish Modern

Danish Modern Candle Holder from Looking Glass House

There are some beautiful Danish Modern pieces on Etsy, and I can't help but stare...it's can be pricey, but I love it anyway!

Danish Modern Creamer from Amelia Bedelia's Vintage Deelights

Vintage Modern Rosewood Wall Unit from The Vintage Supply Co

Arne Jacobsen Tea Set from Sweetshorn

Dansk Enamelware Fondue Pot from delC Transit Authority

Mid Century Modern Walnut Ice Bucket from August Vintage

Monday Inspiration: The Landing Strip

Today starts another week of the home cure, centered around the creation of a landing strip--an area where you can leave the clutter of the day (such as mail, coats, shoes and bags) so it doesn't invade the home. I had previously set a space for "landing" when I arrive at home, but over time things began to build up and...over. So, today this image will be my inspiration for a pure, clean landing strip, complete with an area to hang that pesky laptop bag.

DI-Wednesday: De-brassing your finds

This is a great project from the mid century modern restorers at The Modness of 9251 if you're looking to revive old brass-plated items or fixtures in your home--relatively inexpensive and only requiring a bit of elbow grease.

Monday Inspiration: Mid Century Modern Fence

I love the lines of this modern fence--we've been looking into extending the brick wall around our backyard, (adding about one foot to the top of it for more privacy) and mimicking the style of this fence is perfect for our ranch house. I'd also like to see if we might modify it as a gate or a shorter fence...we shall see!

Just for Fun: Pets on Furniture

Sometimes, all you need is a picture of a pet to make you smile. With that in mind, Modernica presents Pets on Furniture. A variety of pics of our furry friends lounging about the house is all it takes for the day to be a little brighter.

Friday Finds: Mid Century Modern

School of Three Large Mid Century Modern Wicker Fish Wall Hangings

I was overjoyed to find that so many items from my own shop appear when I search for mid century modern on Etsy! Here are some of the fabulous home decor items in my shop with a mid century modern flair--

Set of Long and Lean Wooden Giraffes

Vintage Mid Century Modern Flower/Candle Holder

Mid Century Modern Carved Redwood Whale with Secret Compartment

Vintage Mid Century Atomic Modern Gold Toned Metal Magazine Rack

Mid Century Modern Color Palettes

Original Eichler Exterior Home Color Palette from retro renovation

Let's face it--picking paint colors is hard. Especially if you're trying to keep the home's original character. In our case, that means some ranch-style mid century modern color research. Luckily, there's a lot our there on the subject of house colors, with most examples using the source material from the time. There are also plenty of re-invigorated color palettes out there, such as the "Suburban Modern" from Sherwin Williams.

I love what Modative did when looking for colors to compliment a mid century modern car wash renovation: they turned to ads and palettes from the period to choose the most complimentary and accurate colors.

Great Blog for Mid Century Modern Design

I'm always looking for solid Mid Century Modern sources, and this blog has everything--great finds, history, restoration, and purty, purty pictures. Check it out: Mid Century Modern.

Monday Inspiration: Mid-Century Warmth

I'm loving this Mid-Century Modern fireplace/bookcase from VintageGoodness--the wood paneling, not so much, but cozying around this off-center fireplace lined with asymmetrical bricks seems like a good evening to me!

Friday Finds: Tablecloths!

This year's all about the linens--I'm looking into revamping curtains, pillows, bedspreads and of course, napkins and tablecloths. I'm the messy one in our family (odd, considering there's an 80 pound dog involved) and I use more paper towels than I should. So, I've finally bought some lovely cotton napkins from Etsy seller Evelyn Fields. She calls them "unpaper towels"--which is exactly what I need. I've ordered enough for everyday use and for special occasions. I never understood only using linens when company came over--what's the point of having it if you don't use it?

Along those lines, here are a few tablecloths I'm loving on Etsy:

Natural Red Striped Provence Linen Tablecloth from Linen Me

Vintage 1970s Oval Mod Tablecloth from Pansy Cottage

Vintage Linen Tablecloth with Salmon Stripe from Bette's Buttons

Vintage Tablecloth with chickens and cross sections of hard-boiled eggs from callmejasper

New Items in Etsy!

I've been getting into a more regular schedule with posting my latest find on Etsy, and the business is starting to grow--check out these latest additions to my shop:

Large Deep Red and Brown Holiday Serving Platter--Leaf with Faux Bois Detailing

Deep Green Hull Pottery Dish with Drip Paint Finish and Scalloped Edging

Mid Century Modern Oil and Vinegar Cruet Set Flower-Inspired Teardrop Design with Gold Trim

Adorable Glass Mod Popcorn Jar with Lid and Rubber and Metal Seal

Vintage Brass Art Nouveau Napkin or Mail Holder with Filigree Fairy Detail

Garden Dreaming on a Fall Day

I'm at home sick, dreaming of fresh air and gardening. Gardens have always been my decorating Achillies' heel, trying to balance the Mid Century style of my ranch house, with the water-conscious gardening of the desert, with the complication of some very old bushes and trees that I just don't have the heart to get rid of.

I went looking for images and found the one above, from Fine Gardening, and I love the clarity and simplicity of it. I also love this image of some Mid Century Modern front steps. If only I can combine these into something...I'm sure a eureka moment is coming soon!