Posts Tagged ‘retro’

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Retro Floral Still Life

Design Work Life had a post last week about the work of artist Lulie Wallace. Her still life paintings are too cool — colorful, dynamic and a little retro, infusing energy and style into a potentially dull subject. I got caught up for a while this evening flipping through her portfolio, but the image featured above is one of my favs. I can’t be too sure, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the striped vase has something to do with it!

While I save up to hoard a few originals from her shop, I’ll hold myself over with a little dress-up inspired by Lulie’s bold, vintage vibe.

Clockwise from top left:
Tunic dress in old rose from Mango ($79.90)
Black and white polka dot foulard from Mango ($29.90)
Cosmic thread copper and walnut wood necklace by Goldlyn ($161)
Pastel pigments earrings by Modcloth($17.99)
Opaque tights in green wood from Nordstrom ($11.99)
Portola Valley Kaley handbag in mauve by Kate Spade($295)
Fuschia wool knit pencil skirt by Nina Ricci on MyTheresa ($765)
Orange “Oh My Darling” wedge from Modcloth ($54.99)
Essie nail polish is “Wife Goes On,” “Carry On” and Luxedo
Chartreuse vintage cat eye glasses on Flickr by Vintage Eyewear
Gray and navy stripe Breton top by Beth Graham via FarFetch ($87)
Bronze blaise flat moccasin with metallic dot studs by Loeffler Randall ($325)

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Houndstooth and Tweed Prints


My Vintage Vogue is an awesome website with a collection of images that chronicle fashions from the 1920′s to 1960′s.  I’ve always loved vintage fashion photography, and this site is a great resource for inspiration! The photo above titled “Race Track Fashions” by Nina Leen is from a 1958 issue of LIFE Magazine.  Check out the My Vintage Vogue blog  for more photos.

I’m totally digging the clothing in this picture. The mixed check, houndstooth and plaid prints are still in style- just check out the modern interpretations of this retro fad below!


Clockwise from top left:
Houndstooth ring from littlebrownbox on Etsy ($7)
Tweed check purse from Topshop ($36)
Alexander McQueen houndstooth check pencil dress on Net-a-porter ($1,845) 
Sequin t-shirt dress by French Connection via Figleaves ($270)
Houndstooth gloves from Michael Kors ($150)
Ashton Michael adjustable bowtie on 80′s Purple ($88)
Buffalo check ruffle knit scarf by Arden B. ($19.50)
Moschino houndstooth heels via Shoewawa 
Gumdrop T-strap flats by oh DEER! on Endless ($53.70)
Plaid wool gauze dress from Lark & Wolf by Steven Alan on Urban Outfitters ($78)
Kimchi Blue vintage tweed dress from Urban Outfitters ($68)
Houndstooth ZJN satchel in winter white from Juicy Couture on Urban Minx ($450)
Houndstooth cardigan by Caroline Rose at Neiman Marcus ($395)

Monday, September 28th, 2009

A Very Brady Potluck

This print titled “Red Plastic Plates” by Ann Toebbe is an ode to her parent’s midwestern dining room, recreated from memory. The original artwork was made from small pieces of paper, hand-painted, cut and glued together in a collage-like fashion. Aside from the quirky décor and mismatched furniture, the different perspectives make this quite an interesting image.
I came across this print on 20×200, one of my favorite sites for affordable art prints. Best summed up by their own equation: “(limited editions x low prices) + the internet = art for everyone,” 20 x 200 introduces two new pieces to their collection each week starting at just $20.
Anyhow, the 70′s retro/country (read: Brady Bunch) feel of this room struck my fancy.  I can totally imagine throwing a dinner party with this theme. The long table with the yellow cloth and red place settings are easy to replicate. Pear placemats tie in the green and complement arrangements of wildflowers punctuated by candles under various-sized hurricane vases.  A buffet table with a macrame lace runner and neatly arranged ceramic pears serves as the perfect staging area for a friendly potluck. Printed chocolates with retro patterns are an easy takeaway gift for your guests.

Clockwise from top-left:
Ceramic pears by ElementClayStudio on Etsy
Black-eyed Susans in a handmade pottery vase, photo by Penny Sanford
White lisianthus, photo from Better Homes and Gardens
Glass hurricane vases in assorted sizes at CandleSquare.com 
Red dinnerware from the Pier 1 Holiday collection
Pear print placemats by Orla Kiely for Target
Vintage star quilting patches from bonblu’s Etsy shop
Macrame lace table runner in “Catherine,” from Authentic-Macrame.com 
Swatch of Canary Kona cotton fabric from Hart’s Fabric
Chocolates by Choxie in Target stores everywhere
FK 150 Sideboard, designed in 1973, still produced and sold by Lange Production