Retro Vintage Style and Used Books

One of our stops while I was with Kate in CA, was the Petaluma Antiques Faire, an outdoor street fair going on that same weekend I was visiting. One of Kate’s favorite places to browse is Vintage Style, a retro and vintage home decor shop with lots of things that brought back memories for me. As a child of the 60’s and a teen of the 70’s, I remember all of these things that are now coming back into vogue. And that cracks me up, to see that what was old is new again.

What does that say about moi? I’m old and new again too. 🙂

If you are in the area, stop by Vintage Style and see for yourself.

How about this retro 60’s sofa. I so remember sofas like this, do you?

We got in a fun discussion with the shop owner about these 60’s style chairs. Kate thought they would be fun covered in white vinyl, but I couldn’t see past their ugly. I’m afraid I saw so much fake leather during the 60’s and 70’s that I never want to see it again. These orange lovelies wouldn’t make it home with me. Check out their ornate bases too.

What do you think? Are these worth reviving?? 🙂

He did have some lovely prints, like these bird pretties.

And these are new, made to look old, but I loved the vibe they have with burlap and botanicals.

Loved this lamp and the old window behind it.

Taking a break outside.

We then stopped in a neat old book store and checked out their old decorating books. We were about to bust a gut laughing over some of the books we found, with old design trends.

Let’s take a look and see what might come back around again!

Now, these ruffled and foofy valances are not that old of a trend. Remember in the 80’s and early 90’s how these were so popular? Stuffing them with tissue paper held them up perky and cute, balloon valances were the bomb. I remember loving them SO MUCH. Now, no way!

How about a matching suite of a floral bedspread, shams, throw pillows, swags and jabots and drapes on the windows and last but not least: don’t forget the matching floral border!! Back then, I thought this was a pretty snazzy look too. Thank goodness we have all come a long way baby!

This one was Kate’s fave. She was all over it! We laughed so hard we cried right there on the floor of the bookstore. How about some Haven classes featuring these beautiful decorating how-to’s?

What do you think, hit or bomb? 🙂

Another foofy and floral window treatment. I am so glad the trend has gotten so much more simple and casual. This was too much of a good thing.

The rosette! Oh, how I remember the rosettes from the 80’s. I know you remember how popular those were? Homemade rosettes pinned onto the drapes. We thought they were SO PURDY! Oh my, how funny they are now.

This was my personal fave, because it hasn’t been all that many years since my mother and I had the tank covers going on. I still had a lid cover just a few years ago and finally got rid of all the furry creatures on my commode. I have to laugh about it now. What in the world possessed us to do that? I think it is more prevalent in the South. Raise your hand if you still have a cover on your toilet lid or a sweater on the whole tank?

OK, girls: time to take them off, it’s a lot more sanitary that way. This lovely brown 70’s bathroom is a relic now, thank heavens!! Don’t miss the carpet on the floor too.

How about a matching bikini to go with your outdoor swing? Canopy, cushions and swimsuits should ALL match you know! We were all about color coordination back then.

So, I hope you enjoyed this stroll through bad decorating decades with Kate and I. We got such a good laugh over these books and I hope you did too.

What is your worst 70’s decorating nightmare? Can you relate to any of these pics too?? Do tell!

Wouldn’t it be interesting to make notes NOW about what we are all crazy about this year that will look SO DUMB a few years from now?

What do you think that will be? Let’s dish design fads!
Giveaway winners from last week are: