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vintage hamilton cosco high chairs

21 Jun

cosco high chair, mikeyboy2020, ebay

I’ve been putting together images of mid-century and vintage-inspired high chairs for a future post. And in my searches, I came across this Cosco “Comfort Line” high chair being sold by “Mikeyboy2020″ of Cincinnati on Ebay this week.  But there are only four days left for this auction, and was hoping someone might find it as interesting as I have.  In fact, this is the only vintage Cosco of its kind that I’ve found so far.  Apart from a chip on the footrest and the (Very Important) need to attach a new seatbelt strap, the chair is in pretty fantastic shape.  I figure that with shipping, you’ll pay a little less than $200 for it.

It’s much easier (and cheaper) to find the folding metal chairs similar to the one below (which is in great shape and also available on Ebay), although you might find the chrome needing a touch of polish and the seat requiring a brave scrubbing.

cosco folding chair, thevillagepeddler, ebay

It’s definitely very different from the powder-coated-and-animal-print-vinyl versions we’re used to today.  There’s something super cool about the late 60s/early 70s version of Cosco’s eponymous line.   My interest was piqued after learning that Fionn’s favorite chair is actually of the same generation of awesome designs to come out of the Hamilton Manufacturing Corporation of Columbus, Indiana.

cosco booster chair

Or if you’re looking for a booster seat, it’s pretty easy to find Fionn’s chair (as discovered by Grandma on Ebay and mentioned above).  I actually had no idea that it WAS a booster seat, and an adjustable one at that.  Compare these simple, beautiful designs to today’s existing contraptions, and it’s like comparing an Eames lounger to a Bob’s Furniture recliner.

And, lastly, the Cosco chair I hesitate to feature, because I kind of want it for my own.

cosco rocker, eames forever, ebay

Same as the booster, but a rocking chair, here on Ebay.  HOW COOL IS THIS.   So if you visit the link, and find it sold,  here’s the tip I’ll share with you:  Antiques > Periods & Styles > Mid-Century Modernism.  Always worth a browse.

mattel modern mid-century doll furniture

9 Jun

Mattel Modern boxes, courtesy Rosies Too and You

I have a son.  And unlike the famous Jenna (J.Crew) whose son famously had his photo snapped while receiving a bright pink pedicure, Fionn is just as well-defined by his dislike of pink and the prospect of having his toes touched at all.  This is a short (and probably non-PC) way of saying that there’s probably very little chance of him – anytime soon – enjoying this amazing dollhouse furniture I just discovered by the Mattel company, manufactured in 1958 and sometimes available on Etsy and Ebay.

Vintage breakfront, courtesy The Toy Box

This amazing toy furniture was developed in 1958, a year before the launch of Barbie. But I’m sure Barbie would have loved it.  You can see from the top image that this was a limited collection (and a premium one at that, being called “Mattel Modern” from the get-go).  The Scandinavian influence is apparent, and it pleases me to no end to learn that a mainstream toy company would have created what us KidRobot fans nowadays call ‘limited edition exclusives’ which may not have appealed to all doll-house-furnishing consumers at the time.

Mid-century dresser, courtesy The Toy Box

Chairs and table, courtesy The Toy Box

As with most niche mid-century modern furniture fashions, Mattel Modern has inspired a Flickr collection.  You must visit these images, if just to see the intense care paid to maintain and reupholster(!) some of these pieces.

Sofa box, courtesy Rosies Too and You

Even the packaging is fantastic.
As of today, I found pieces (as represented by the photos above) at the Rosie Too and You shop on Ebay and the Toy Box (in Texas) on Etsy.  Pieces range from $15 to over $100, but compared to those silly Vitra collector’s chairs, it’s quite a deal.  Keep an eye on them – at time of posting many of the pieces were already sold, but they seem to be popping up quite often.

Any additonal detail to add on the origin of these designs?  Anyone out there who’s furnished a mid-century dollhouse?  Please write!

warhol’s harper’s bazaar years

7 Jun

Harpers spread, May 1958

Andy Warhol, as you may know, got his big break at Harper’s Bazaar Magazine.

A few months ago, I went to a meeting hosted in the Hearst Tower in Manhattan (the new home to magazines like Bazaar and its friends).   And while tripping over my feet staring at the art on the walls outside our conference room (“a Chuck Close is just hanging there…!”) I happened upon an exhibition catalog written on behalf of, and recognizing, Andy’s time at the magazine.   Sadly, I missed the actual show and the accompanying party, but it sounded like fun.

Shoes, Harpers, March 1956

Makeup, Harpers, July 1956

Between 1951 and 1964, Warhol created tons of illustrations and art-directed a handful of spreads for the fashion magazine.   And back then, people didn’t keep original artwork – so the only evidence of this work that exists comes from the pages of vintage magazines themselves.  I’ve taken the liberty of scanning some spreads (above) from the catalog to share the amazing visual style he displayed early on in his career.   As Charlie Shieps, author of the catalog, described, “His drawing had an idiosyncratic style and visual impact in print that appealed to art directors both for their whimsy and linear elan.”  So, in other words, he got work because it appealed to his bosses. An entrepreneur in action.

And just as it’s always fascinating to read earlier novels from a writer you’ve just discovered, or listen to back catalog discs from a new band, it’s equally rich to see how Warhol’s work for the magazine was the initial proving ground for his photo-booth portraits, his experimentation with technique (rubber-stamped reproductions as the precursor to silkscreening), and his liberal ‘borrowing’ of source materials.

But what I found most interesting about the whole thing was how strongly I found myself attracted to this work, despite not having much of an emotional ‘feeling’ for Warhol in general.  (Art history majors would probably tell me that’s the point…)  I’ve written about him once before, but never found a reason to mention his own work as a beautiful and decorative option for a bedroom or living room.   So I stand corrected.



The posters are available at AllPosters.com, here on Amazon,  or at Art.com.  They’re from the same time period as his magazine work – roughly 1956-1958.   You can find cats, shoes, (DVF-logo) lips, among other things.  They’re a great way to introduce one of our great artists to your kids without having to travel the well-worn Marilyn/soup can route (they’ll find it  on their own soon enough).   Skipping back a few years from an artist’s famous period is always fascinating… if you’re ever seeking inspiration, it can help you make some interesting discoveries.

Lastly, here’s a great article by Tama Janowitz on why people miss Andy Warhol.

vintage trucks and light fixtures

7 Feb

I always love learning about new places in my neighborhood, especially when they’re shops.  Was going through my (junk) email this morning and saw this post by Daily Candy about custom wallpaper, designed by a UK company and available exclusively in the US through a company called Modern Anthropology.

I must admit that I don’t quite know how to describe this company.  It’s a design studio, supplying furniture and related interior design accessories to the film/television industry, architects, and to fellow designers.   But the folks who work here also design their own spaces, with a very vintage-like Three Potato Four aesthetic, but more masculine (e.g. men who wear flannel checked plaid, make french press coffee and groom their  mustaches) and a bit more industrial.  (e.g. Ace Hotel).  Their featured projects were a little too monochromatic and distressed-wood for me as an entire look.  But…

Then I found their shop on the site.

LOVE LOVE LOVE these vintage truck lamps.   The only drawback I see is that you’d have to keep your kid from wanting to play with them.

They sell a few other things I think would make great accents to a modern, bright kid’s room.

Take this IKEA Besta Burs lacquered desk ($299), for example, and add one of Modern Anthology’s cage lamps to ‘authenticate’ the space a little more, without looking like a construction site.

And a perpetual favorite, done in a new way… A bus route sign, cut down the middle and framed as two images.   I don’t know if these prices are per image, framed or unframed, but if you’re in the market, they’re definitely worth investigating.

happy holidays, everyone

21 Dec

A quick note to my loyal readers:

Thank you for making 2010 such a wonderful year.  Thank you for reading my posts.  Thank you for leaving your comments.  Thank you for your friendship and help.   And thank you for your patience and for coming back despite my lack of writing and low output over the past two months.

When I accepted this new job, I was asked on more than one occasion whether I’d pack it up and pack in Room For Young Ones.  And I vehemently said “NO,” offended at the notion that I couldn’t keep up with a full time work schedule, an hour-and-a-half-til-bedtime evening with my son, and some TV watching with my husband.   Because I was just as busy, and just as tired, spending my days with Fionn at home in Brooklyn, probably even more so than I would be at work. 

Sixty-something days later, I think I’ve completed two or three posts.   Guess I didn’t count on being completely mentally drained at the end of the day, without time or energy to start surfing the twitters and the websites, trying to figure out new ways to think about cool things. 

So here’s my early New Year’s resolution.   Hope to come back with a post a week, as promised.  But I’d love to hear from you.  Should I keep it up? Would you be interested in reading more?  Anything in particular?  The thing I love more than anything is helping people find design things – stuff for themselves and their kids, stuff that solves problems or just makes the day a little brighter.  So let me know.

I want you all to have a happy holiday season full of love, happiness, and Jellycats.

XO J

keith haring chairs

15 Dec

Haring chair, courtesy New York Magazine

Although I’ve always loved the idea of Keith Haring, I’ve never been a true fan of his work.  But I think the passage of time has caused me to reconsider my feelings.  Don’t know whether it’s nostalgia for those junior high school trips to Pop Shop in the Village (Returning to school with a Radiant Baby notebook was the end-all-be-all for the Scunci set in Long Island), or a recognition of Haring’s pioneering approach towards graffiti-as-commercialism (e.g. people going nutty over Banksy today).  Regardless, I was moved enough to publish my first post in ages after seeing this chair on the New York Magazine website.

Vilac Haring chairs, courtesy Vilac.com

Made for children by French company Vilac

Here’s a little more about the company:

“Deep in the Jura region of France, surrounded by mountains, lakes and forests, Vilac has been producing high-quality wooden toys and gifts for the past 80 years. Vilac was founded by Narcisse Villet in 1911 as a wood turning workshop, which later came to specialize exclusively in the finely lacquered wooden toys for which Vilac is so well known. Appropriately, Vilac is in fact an amalgamation of the name of the founder, “Villet,” and the word “lacquer.” In 1985, Vilac was purchased by Hervé Hagland, who continues the Old World wood working traditions to this day.”

If you’re not in the market for a new piece of furniture, I’m happy to report that Vilac also sells these Keith Haring puzzles.  Here’s a link to the Nova 68 website, which sells the set of four puzzles for $50.  Fionn received them as an (early) Christmas gift last week, and I believe they were purchased at one of the NYC museum gift shops!  So check online for better prices, if you’re interested, perhaps you’ll get a holiday bargain.

colorful mid-century modern nursery inspiration

20 Oct

Leaves and Vines bedding, BirdsHaveFlowers, Etsy

I just had to create an inspiration board based on an amazing discovery I’ve made this week.

Whether you’re in the market for baby stuff or kid’s decor, you must check out this AMAZINGLY adorable bedding available in the BirdsHaveFlowers shop on Etsy.  When not playing in her band or hanging out with her two toddlers, Rebecca, the proprietor of BHF, custom-sews sheets, bumpers, and crib skirts with the fabric of your choice.  I’ve found her personal aesthetic (and her own fabric selections and suggestions) to be really beautiful and in line with what I’d want for myself.    You can buy a set of two sheets, one bumper, and one skirt for around $250-$275 (it depends on the fabric… see here) which, to me, is a great price for a unique and defining piece of decor. (I’m sure she can do the same thing for toddler beds.)

A while back, I created this inspiration board (above)  featuring an eclectic/mid-century style design, and it got a great response.  So I thought I’d do a similar thing again.   But this time, I truly believe that every piece I’ve included can work on its own.  Truth is, most of us aren’t starting from scratch, but we all could do with a beautiful new clock or wall treatment to spruce things up.  All the items featured below are mid-century inspired, from actual vintage to having vintage-like accents.

mcm mood board (click for PDF version)

1.  Walls.  How full-on do you want to go with the color thing?  If you said to yourself, yes! more color!, I’d recommend something like this Banana Yellow shade from Benjamin Moore.  Personally, I think I’d either do a very light grey or an eggshell white on the walls.  You’ll avoid any fear of overdoing it and it’ll help the colors elsewhere in the room pop more brightly.

 2. Crib.  This is my most favorite piece of nursery furniture in a long time, courtesy of my buddy Esther over at Buy Modern Baby (thanks, lady!).  She discovered this gorgeous item at the Dwell booth (yes, the bedding people) when she visited the ABC Kids Expo this year in Vegas.  See her link here for more details.  I only wish they had it when I was building Fionn’s nursery…

3. Chalkboard tiles. A new discovery of mine but available for a while now from Pottery Barn (the regular one, not the kids’ one).  The tiles are 20″x14″ and $34 each.  But they’re having a special promotion online - now you can get four at once for $15, for about $20 in savings.  I would do one of two things with them – either place them high-up (above a dresser, for example) as ‘decor,’ or mount them width-wise across one of your walls at toddler-height for an inspiring play space.

4. Vintage educational posters. Aren’t they great? From the wonderful folks at Grain Edit, available at Etsy for $37.50 each. 

5. Woven Poang chair.  IKEA’s really upped the game lately with their Poang series.  If you’re not totally into the idea of spending hundreds of dollars on a glider, this kind of chair would not only save you some change, the new webbing design would suit a retr0-modern-styled room beautifully.  I personally think the rich forest green is gorgeous and a great complement to the background field on the bedding.  Find it here for $99.

6. Wood-slat blinds with custom tapes.   Now, this may be a personal quirk of mine, in the same so-old-school-its-new-again vein, such as the red-painted studies and ornate chandeliers of Brooklyn Heights brownstones.  But I can’t help but think it’d be super cool to outfit a kid’s room with these sturdy wooden slatted window coverings, accessorized and personalized with fabric ‘tape’ in a coordinating color as the bedding.   There are tons of places where you can find these blinds; I checked out the “Window Blinds Mall” for a price quote.  This particular company offers tapes in great colors like a flamingo pink, a canary yellow, and “Alice Blue.”  And for a typical 32″x60″ window, you’d pay around $100, then add a few more bucks for the tape.

7. George Nelson “Fernando the Fish” clock.  Just adorable, in perfect colors for both boys and girls.  $150 at Hive Modern.

8. Kartell FL/Y lamp.  Available in so many fantastically bright colors, you can’t go wrong. (Of course, if you want white or black, they’ve got that too.) The greatest selection I found was at Velocity Art & Design, where you can find them for $293 each.

Got any favorites of your own that you think would fit well in this room? Rugs? Dressers? Artwork? Let me know!

naptime and vintage night lights

28 Sep

Mouse night light, Vintage-toys.com

 When I get around to writing a new post (which is becoming increasingly infrequent, unfortunately), it’s usually either 11-something in the morning or 4-something in the afternoon.   Needless to say, I love naptime.   It’s crucial that naptimes are as peaceful and productive as possible, for both the kid and for me.   

In addition,  today’s rain reminds me that winter is coming soon to the Northeast.  And I’m  reminded of the darkness and chill that seems to find a home in our house during that time of year.  I’m not good with gloom, and I’m the kind of person who turns on every single lamp in the house to defer it.  For Fionn’s sake, I’m determined to fix the situation in his room too, and upgrade his lighting as well.  I’m getting rid of those  solar and soulless plug-in nightlights from the drugstore once and for all.  So in the search for something with more character,  I’ve discovered vintage night lights.  A great example is the mouse at top (from Vintage-toys.com), from the 50s or 60s.

Mouse, switched on

Vintage night lights are fantastic.  Instead of plugging into the wall, they’re more like little figurines that sit on the dresser.  They’re either ceramic or made of plastic, relatively inexpensive (around $30), and adorable.  The only drawback I see is that sometimes they require rewiring (understandable, after 50 years of use!) Here are some of my favorites.  Oh, and if they’re  gone by the time you read this, keep looking – they show up all the time on Ebay and Etsy.

Pink and blue plastic whale, Ruby Lane

This little whale is being sold on Ruby Lane for $20.

Ceramic shell nightlight, Bonanzle

For the traditionalist, a ceramic shell – more like a TV lamp, it lights up at the back.  $15 at Bonanzle.com. 

Cerramic bunny, Ebay

Bunny, at night

I personally love the figural night lights because A) they’re adorable and B) they light up in really cute ways.   This bunny is great – its ears and tail light up for you.  If you like it, hurry up; the auction on Ebay is ending soon. 

Ceramic puppy, Mary Had A Little Lamp, Etsy

Saved the best for last.  If you love vintage children’s lighting, you must check out the Etsy shop called Mary Had A Little Lamp.   Specializing in lighting for nurseries and playrooms, the items on offer are often rewired and in immaculate condition.  Is this puppy the cutest thing ever? Yes, the light shines from his little bum, but I can overlook that. It sells for $45 and would be a great start to your collection.  And with those words, my naptime time is over.

sicky kids and hot water bottle covers

21 Sep
When you’re a new parent, everything is significant.  And nothing is more nerve-racking for both child and parent than a high fever and its companion, the hair-trigger temper and its attendant crying fit (again, for both child and parent).  So in the Daley history books, the second week of September will from here on be known as the time of Cold/Flu Number Two.
Hot Water Bottle Monster by Jaffajaf, Etsy

So what have I learned? First, I’ve got one tough kid.  I’m really proud of him.  And, second, I never knew how many folk remedies my husband can whip up.  While I was surfing the web about antibiotics and second-opinions, my lovely husband was busy in the kitchen, formulating one of his many lemon-and-honey based concoctions.   And although Fionn didn’t really get into the whole chicken broth – tea – Vapo-Rub under the warm towel thing, it sure comforted us.  For what it’s worth, Daddy’s remedies made me feel a heck of a lot better…  (Have I mentioned lately how much I love Lancashire?  Guess the wet North has something to say about keeping kids warm and dry).

And this experience has also made me curious about getting a custom cover for our tough red rubber hot water bottle so Fionn could use it too.  I’m leaning towards the Hot Water Bottle Monster by Jaffajaf, available on Etsy (where else?) for $25.  Based in Brisbane (where else… Australia really has a hold on cool kids stuff right now), Jaffajaf is the nanna-granddaughter team of Yvonne and Debbie.  They’ve got a fantastic touch and I’d highly recommend checking out their online shop.  Their felted dinosaurs are especially wonderful.

Alpaca/Merino Bottle Cover, DWR.com

Looking to go a bit more luxe for your little one?  How about a merino/alpaca wool blend to carefully caress your hot water bottle?  It’s from DWR, and at $70, it’s more of a gift than an everyday purchase, but I can imagine how soft and warm this would be.   And the wool’s got quite a pedigree; apparently, “when not operating their ski lift, four generations of the Steiner family have been spinning, weaving, milling and refining fine woolen cloth at the foot of the Dachstein mountain in the Austrian Alps. Legendary designers and companies like Yves St. Laurent, Bogner, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana and others have used the high-quality fabrics for their fashions.” 

Pirate Mouse, Amazon.com

But to be honest, I think I’m more of a Pirate Mouse kind of gal.  I’m not sure he’s made near the Swiss Alps, but he is German, if that helps anyone…  Available on Amazon.com for $25.95, I think he could easily become a bedtime favorite (with or without the hot water).

Aran "Jumper" Cover, A Crooked Sixpence, Etsy

If you’re into something more traditional, I’d recommend one of these ‘knitted sweaters’ made expressly for hot water bottles.  The Internet is full of instructions on how to do it yourself (which seems to be a lot of fun to make).  But if you’re like me, and would rather reward those who have perfected the craft, you may want to head over to the shop on Etsy called A Crooked Sixpence.  Above, this is their Aran jumper in the White Chocolate color, for $36.

Red Cashmere Cozy by Honeycreweller, Etsy

But my absolute favorite?  (Yes, I know I started this post talking about my son).   An ’upcycled’ cashmere sweater.   Taking the logic one step further, why knit when you’ve got perfectly wonderful cashmere right at your fingertips?  The Honeycreweller shop on Etsy offers this one in red for $32; there are other colors available as well.

Ribbon detail, courtesy Honeycreweller

I especially love the contrasting satin ribbon and button closure detail and the blue cotton lining.  Because I know when I’m feeling sicky, beautiful fabrics and coordinating materials really cheer me up.   For Fionn, I think the hot water bottle monster would be a surer bet.

nineteen seventy three cards

16 Sep

Paul Thurlby card

I’m not the first to notice this amazing manufacturer of retro-influenced greeting cards and prints. In fact, I’ve seen the work of 1973ltd on a variety of blogs, most notably a fantastic website called Retro To Go. (They’re London-based, so some of the items they cover are difficult to find stateside… however, you’ll be rewarded for your efforts.)

As their namesake suggests, the company selects relatively new-to-the-scene artists and designers to feature and promote.  You can check out the whole selection here, but my favorites are definitely the cards by Paul Thurlby (whose alphabet “A” is featured at top), Darling Clementine, and Sanna Annukka.

Claudettes by Darling Clementine

And although I think the Thurlby cards are incredibly clever in a vintage way (very Three Potato Four), the Claudettes series by Darling Clementine really captured my heart.  I’m always partial to a mid-century circus/magic-inspired drawing, and I fall for the cut-paper look every time.    Apparently, this collection was designed specifically for 1973, but you can see everything on their (Norwegian) website here.

Badger by Darling Clementine, framed

They also produce a (larger-sized, obviously) screen print of the lion shown above, as well as an elephant,  for GBP 70 here.

Sunflower, Sun Bird, Out at Sea

Lastly, if you haven’t been feeling the whole “1973″ theme yet, here are some cards to get you in the avocado-and-maize shag carpet mood. A 2005 graduate from the University of Brighton, Sanna Annukka also brings the Scandinavian influence (and her Finnish heritage) to her work.  These gold foil-detailed cards are incredible examples of her style, and you can mix and match among the 12 versions.

Spirits of the North silkscreen

Also beautiful are her “Spirits of the North” silkscreen posters (above), which are numbered and signed in an edition of 85.  Buy them for GBP 245 on her website.

If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s people decorating their walls with things they’re not crazy about.  (I honestly don’t know how homeowners on these HGTV shows can stand it when Bromstad etc. drag a brush across a canvas, call it ‘art’ for the sake of covering empty space).  Find images you love.  It doesn’t matter whether they’re original paintings, silkscreens, poster prints or photocopies.  As long as they’re meaningful to you, it’s wonderful.

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