Viko Baumritter 5 Piece Set with Sofa and Chairs

Viko Was The Modern Furniture Line Of Baumritter Furniture, produced in the 1950s and 60s. Baumritter renamed themselves "Ethan Allen". Baumritter's goal was to reinvest their profits and by 1962 the company had 14 furniture factories out East. Later that year Baumritter acquired Kling Factories, Inc. with 3 factories near Jamestown, NY. Kling had a line of 150 steel-furniture pieces which supplemented the Ethan Allen line.

I just picked this lovely orange 5 piece set up today. It consists of a sofa, coffee table, ottoman and two chairs. As soon as I check it all over for flaws it will be available for sale.

SOLD

Twiggy, Mods and Hipsters

Twiggy and the Mods were the best thing to happen to fashion, style and design in an era focused on changing the world. The Mods were a subculture of artsy individuals that evolved out of the beatnik coffee house culture in the 1950's in London, England. Their ability to reinvent themselves and their pursuits make this group difficult to define in one little blog post. The Mods redefined beauty. The women pinned their style with short hair, little makeup but loads of eye liner and mascara and those oh so short mini skirts . The men were for the first time free to express themselves freely wearing Italian suits with narrow lapels, v-neck shirts, skinny ties and pointed leather shoes. Everyone wanted to cash in on this new sophisticated bohemian sense of style and attitude. Soon the fashion world began to mainstream the "mod" style. In 1966 Twiggy was named the "Face of 1966" by the Daily Express and by 1967 she was on the cover of Vogue and The Tatler. She became known worldwide and everyone wanted to be Mod.

In 1967 I was a skinny little girl living in suburbia and desperately trying to figure out how I fit in. I loved the Beatles, Pop Art and Mod clothes. Twiggy made skinny cool and Mod was fun. As Mod swept the USA I swept the stores buying miniskirts, fish net hose, go go boots and bright colors galore. I had found a way out of my black and white life. But as with all good things Mod went to the wayside and a new subculture emerged, Hippies.

Fast forward to the Hipsters. They are the current cool subculture of artsy individuals born of middle class parents and fond of independent films, alternative music and the liberal arts. They tend to be well educated and have a flair for fashion. In 2003 they got their own handbook coined by Robert Lanham. The Hipster Handbook is a funny guide for those of us who once were "Mod".

Coffee and Desert

The weather here is beginning to change and cooler days are ahead. I love curling up on the sofa with a cup of coffee and my favorite read on these days. When I saw this 50's era Seltmann Weiden coffee set it reminded me that the holidays are just around the corner and it's not to soon to start getting ready. This set can be purchased HERE.



SOLD

Tailgating, Picnics and Autumn Oh My!

It's September and there is something in the air. It might be one last family gathering or the first. Pictured is a double decker Redmon picnic basket with original plates. I have had one of these for several years now and just love it. When I came across this little gem I knew someone would love it just as much as I love mine. It's the time for picnics and tailgate parties. This basket is ready for some new memories! Available HERE!

SOLD

Children's Singer Sewing Machine

The little sewing machine that could! This was such a cute little sewing machine and it worked so I couldn't resist trying to find a new home for it. It's a children's Singer Lockstitch sewing machine made in England in the late 1980s. It takes 4 D batteries and runs like a charm. What a fun way to introduce sewing to a child or use it for small projects. It's available for purchase HERE.

SOLD

Faribault and Why Shift Matters

I just came across this wonderful Faribault 100% wool blanket and scooped it up for a mere $2.00. Just as the Civil War was ending a German immigrant and cabinet maker Carl Klemer founded the company in 1865. Starting with a carding machine powered by horses on a treadmill Klemer's company supplied blankets to the Army, military, airlines and department stores. Faribault had been listed as one of our nation's oldest family owned businesses. A change in the trade laws about 10 years ago have made it almost impossible for our textile industries to compete with cheap labor overseas. Faribault was just another casualty in that shift.

These blankets are a reminder to the demise of the American Textile Industry. The last great hold out for quality American made woolen blankets shut their doors in 2009. Over 200,000 U.S. textile workers have lost their jobs since 2003.

Good Garage Sales Always Have A Story

The best buys at any garage sales always come with a story. I found this mint condition Japanese tea set at a moving sale. They were an elderly couple in the midst of downsizing to a smaller place. When I asked the gentleman about the tea set he shared that his wife had a story behind it and he took me over to her. I recognized her from some place but couldn't quit put my finger on it. She shared that she had purchased the set when she was 18 years old in San Francisco. She was on a youthful adventure as many were in 1965 and had visited a small shop in China Town. So many years this set had graced her Danish Modern home and now she was parting with it and her memory to embark on a new journey. I promised it would make it to a good home. It can be purchased HERE.

SOLD