Mid Century Dinnerware.

I'm on the hunt for a new set of dinnerware.  I still love my Salem North Star set and my retro Mikasa Duplex Dahlia by Ben Seibel...but I like to switch things up and I need a larger set for entertaining.

I'm leaning toward Temporama, but I'd love to hear what your favorite patterns are. 

Temporama by Canonsburg

courtesy A Living Space

I absolutely love this pattern and its easy to find, so this just might be my pick.

Contempo by Nola Ware

courtesy Wool Trousers

This is a fun design and I love the color combination, but it seems to be hard-to-find.  Pass! 

Pasadena by Mikasa

courtesy Bright Wall Vintage

Great retro modern pattern and again, I love the color combination here but it seems harder to find. Pass! 

Franciscan Starburst

courtesy Modatomic

Of course you can't mention mid century dinnerware and not bring up Franciscan's starburst. It's readily available so it's always an option, and I do love a good starburst. Maybe.....

Nordic by Syracuse

courtesy Violet Q Vintage

Very cute and modern.  A quick search didn't yield a lot of results though.  Maybe.....

Mobile by Knowles

courtesy Ebay

Fun atomic design but hard to find it seems.  Pass!

Del Mar by Franciscan

courtesy Ebay 

Very cute but I need another color mixed in there. Pass!

Carousel by Salem

courtesy Mid Century Finds

Cool but not my thing.  Pass!

Blue Heaven by Royal China

courtesy Two Little Owls

I like it but it's too much blue.  Pass!

So I've got Temporama, Starburst or Nordic. I'd like another option, that doesn't look like everything else. Looking forward to your suggestions!

Mid Century Modern Lighters. Electo Match.

I've said it before, and here I am saying it again, the design of the mid century will never cease to amaze me.  Most particularly, how even small things were designed with punch and still stand the design test of time.

Case in point, Electro Match Table Lighters.  I found one at a junker's home in Las Vegas on our latest trip.  I was instantly drawn to the space age-y, sputnik-y look that I so love from the mid century.

The design is simple, an apple shaped body on a star base.  But how advanced and modern does it look?  It takes 3 C batteries to create a spark when the "stem" is pulled out. That, coupled with the lighter fluid inside, creates a flame tip, which would light your cigarette.    Super cool, right?

So far I've found green (like mine), dark green, white, black, red, yellow and clear.

This is mine.....

and more I found online.....

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Frederick Arndt Mid Century Inspired Wooden Art

I was perusing Etsy and came across the incredible woodworking art of Frederick Arndt.  I had to share!

Clearly his designs are inspired by the space-agey, mod shapes of the 1950's and 1960's, yet his work still feels new and fresh, and very much his own.

From amoebas to boomerangs, and Eames dots to starbursts, any mid mod shape your heart desires can be found in these handmade wooden creations.  

Here are just a few. Find more at his Etsy shop FredArndtArtworks

1950's Gillette Razor. Even This Looks Cool!

Have you ever been to an estate sale where it seems that you've stepped back in time to the 1950's?  I mean, literally it seems as though you've taken a time machine back to the atomic age because EVERYTHING in the home is from the mid century.

It's very odd, right? It's as though the homeowner(s) never purchased anything new.  How does this happen?!

I recently shopped a sale like this.  Everything, and I mean everything, was original from the mid century.  Case in point, check out this Gillette razor I found in the bathroom (among unused 1950's cosmetics, etc.)!  And you should have seen the incredible boomerang yellow patterned formica vanity top.  Doh!  Why don't I always carry my camera??

Those of us that love the mid century design knows the furniture was cool, the architecture, and housewares,  but for a razor to be cool?  Come on!

Indeed, it's a beauty.  Look at the lovely diamond, ice-blue detail of the handle, and the metal flanked neck complete with starburst design.  Even the plastic case is emblazoned with starbursts.  Pretty cool right?

Mid Century Modern Starburst Lamp

What's a very pregnant girl to do but lay around (uncomfortable) and wait for baby to come?  Oh yes, shop for lamps.  Sure, why not feed my lamp addiction?

Well, I picked up this beauty locally on Ebay with plans to put it in my shop. Buuuuuut, yep you guessed it; I got it home and could not part with it.  I refinished the wood and scrubbed the brass.    Isn't it pretty? I just love it.  It had to go front and center on my Brasilia piece in the entry way.

I scored this wall hanging lamp on Etsy a couple of months back. I'd been looking for a wall mounted mid century light for some time.  They are few and far between and typically very expensive. This was a great score!  

aaaaand, I picked this one up from Etsy to replace the sort of beat up lamp I had on my side table.  Listen to me justify the lamp purchases.... ha ha

and, yep, still going, I actually picked up another lamp from Ebay but I don't know if I'm keeping it.  It was purchased just before I found the above lamp on Etsy, which I like much better.

Hey, told you I had a lamp addiction! 

Happy New Year.

Craigslist Monday. Mid Century Awesomeness.

It pretty much never fails, Mondays are fantastic days for mid century pieces on Craigslist (Los Angeles).  Check out these beauties.....I'd take them all if I could!

Mid Century Record Console $450

Those long angled pencil legs are so fabulous!

Danish Modern Queen Headboard $200

Love this!

Lane Mid Century Coffee and End Tables $475 and $200 each

I love this style! I have the little round cocktail table and would love to complete the set someday

Danish Mid Century Modern Desk $1400

Small Mid Century Sofa w/ Wood Panel Sides $275

Great deal!

Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin Gondola Sofa $200

Great deal! 

2-Tier Mid Century End Tables with Starburst Design

I like the starburst in the glass.  Very cool!

Mid Century Outdoor Lounges $200

I want these for my backyard pool space!