retro romance: 1950's interior insperation, Vertigo

 One of my favorite Hitchcock movies, Vertigo from 1958:  Old San Francisco, awesome plot, 50's fashion (Edith Head) and 50's interior design (production designer Henry Bumstead).  My plan is to provide Interior insperation from Midge's apartment and Scotties apartment, but my bleeping computer is beyond difficult, so we'll just focus on Scotties bedroom light today...

 

this classic brass 2 arm arc floor lamp, is so classic in fact that it doesn't exist anymore!  Please forgive me for the quality of photo, I've resorted to taking my own stills for this Retro Romance feature. The scale of this lamp is perfect for a bedside light or a reading light for an accent chair.  A velvet covered slipper chair would be fantastic!

#1  The closest lamp I was able to find was this beauty from 1stdibs .  It is authentic, classic and vintage.

$3,740

 

 

#2  While the shade of this lamp from HD Buttercup, as well as lamps #1 & #2, is a little more angular than the original movie light, the scale and arc are right on.

$795

 

 

#3  I really dig the style of this lamp from Mitchell Gold& Bob Williams, while it doesn't have as soft of lines as the original, it would definitely do with the right bed.

$845

 

 

#4  This lamp from Inside Ave. is about as close as it gets.  It's not brass, but it is shiny with a rounded shade and arc.

 $1,188

 

retro romance: modernism

If you could pick a decade, or a span of 10 years, what would it be?  For me it is hands down, never wavering, late 50's to late 60's, 1957 to 1967.  Music, fashion, interiors, you name it, this was a time of style.  Life, to me, seemed easier back then.  Maybe easier is the wrong word, but families actually spent time together, not at the soccer field, but at home.  The family unit was tight, but it didn't mean the adults didn't have fun, enter the cocktail party (which has a history of it's own, a future "Retro Romance" installation).

 

Before I can jump into my decade, we must go back; 1898/99 with Richard Riemershmid a founding member of the Deutscher Werkbund (1907).  The Deutscher Werkbund helped to promote German design while many of the ideas were used later in the Bauhaus movement.

 

Richard Riemerschmid's first furniture was in the style of neo-Gothic.  In these pieces you can see the clean modern lines, somewhat organic but without "decoration".  Along with furniture design, Richard Riemerschmid was also an architect and an interior decorator, a pattern we will see with other pioneers within the evolution of modern design.

 

working on...retro romance: interior style, 1950's

I am squealishly excited about the first Interior Style installment for the Retro Romance series.  Through this series we will learn that design; fashion, interior, furniture, etc., doesn't just "happen", it is created.  There is a reason and a function.  And there is style, boy is there style.

 

Edward Wormley sofa for Dunbar

retro romance: brigitte bardot inspired new year sequins n boots

For the second installation of Retro Romance, inspired by a super sexy sequined number.  I found a few shifts and a lot of body cons, but not one cap sleeve.  I decided to go with a long sleeve shift, a definite 70's cut.  With all the flash of the dress a clutch is all that is needed for an accessory.

 

Image via Google

 

Dress ASOS, Clutch TJ Maxx, Amazing Boots Piperlime

 

A few more dress options:  Forever 21, Neiman Marcus, Alex and Alexa, all doable with the boots!

 

 

working on: retro romance

I decided this year I wanted a new handbag for my birthday.  I love the look of the "it" satchel that all the fashionistas I follow on Instagram carry, but let's face it, I live in Denver, so not the capital of "street style".  My outfit of the day is not going to be snapped and posted on The Sartorialist, I dress for myself. So after checking out a few places online, the bags I found just weren't, well, me.  Now don't get me wrong, if I could afford a Kelly bag, or any other "classic" satchel, I would be all over it like Chanel No. 5 on Marylin, but I can't.  In truth, I am not too terribly "trendy" anyway.  I will throw on a trend piece now and then, but the funny thing is, some pieces that are now considered "trendy" are actual classics.  Hello leopard print?

 

So I decided to jump on Etsy...and three hours later, I will soon be the proud Ma Ma to this fabulous 1960's gem!  After looking at all the vintage goodness to be found it got me thinking, vintage/retro is everywhere; fashion, interiors, t.v., even cars, and I say "THANK GOODNESS"!

 

Retro Romance series coming soon!