We recently visited Windy City and of course had to visit a couple of iconic Route 66 locations. The big thing we couldn’t miss was the sign for the beginning of Route 66 right outside the famous Art Institute of Chicago. Depending on the time of year you go, the main sign might be easy to miss — walk across the street from the museum straight out from its front doors, and it will be
You walk into a neon shop expecting nostalgia. You leave thinking about chemistry, electricity, municipal zoning codes, and 1940s craftsmanship. That’s what happened when I toured Morry’s Neon, a family business opened in 1985 by Morry and his son Glen, a business built on a neon legacy that began in 1946 when Morry first started bending glass. Established the same year America decided diners, drive-ins, and optimism were perfectly reasonable things to mass-produce, Morry’s has
As the Route 66 Centennial approaches, something interesting is happening. This isn’t just an anniversary tour or a nostalgia lap. It’s a full-scale reawakening of interest in the American road trip—one rooted in history, preservation, and the lived experience of the road itself. The centennial is acting like a spotlight, illuminating not just the highway, but the stories, architecture, roadside culture, and communities that grew up along it. And people are paying attention. Travelers want
From our retro coffee table to yours comes a great book – an awesome gift or something to pour over in our own home! Suppose you’ve ever spotted a cookie jar shaped like a hamburger or a canister set with tropical fruit motifs and thought, “I remember that design!” or “I have to have that design!”. In that case, you’ll want to get your hands on Los Angeles Potteries: A Collector’s Journey through Artistry, Craft,
Window dressing was huge in the 1950’s, but we don’t seem to have resurrected the love of pinch pleats:Interesting suggestions – would you use these in your home? And we couldn’t resist – the wall of curtains! Taken from the “Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book” Copyright 1956, we thought we’d turn Mid-Century Photo Friday into a learning experience. As usual you can leave a link to your Mid-Century Photo Friday in the comments.
Just like the clothing in your closet, your home furnishings are a reflection of your personal style. Much like the feeling you get when you put together a great outfit, creating living rooms, particularly sectionals, you love to relax in takes some attention as well. Mid-Century modern style, for example, has been making a tremendous comeback. Many of today’s furniture designs take a variety of captivating design inspirations from this mid-20th century design movement, such
In another Mid-Century preservation attempt, the Neutra Institute for Survival through Design is attempting to save The Kronish House. Word just received pressures us to provide info for the dismantling of the house as soon as 9/20, for demolition action week of 9/26! There’s no time to be lost; if this new plan has a chance to succeed! Get those letters going! The original post from the Neutra Conservation page: July 16, 2011 – Dion
With this post, we welcome Marni Epstein, who’s going to be a fabulous addition to our team. Check out her biography and website! Editor Modern Architect John Lautner, who studied under the tutelage of Frank Lloyd Wright, is primarily known for his residential design. As a mid-century architect, his homes had a distinctly warmer quality than more typical austere designs of the time. That is owed much to Lautner’s organic-modern approach in which he embraced
We recently visited Windy City and of course had to visit a couple of iconic Route 66 locations. The big thing we couldn’t miss was the sign for the beginning of Route 66 right outside the famous Art Institute of Chicago. Depending on the time of year you go, the main sign might be easy to miss — walk across the street from the museum straight out from its front doors, and it will be
You walk into a neon shop expecting nostalgia. You leave thinking about chemistry, electricity, municipal zoning codes, and 1940s craftsmanship. That’s what happened when I toured Morry’s Neon, a family business opened in 1985 by Morry and his son Glen, a business built on a neon legacy that began in 1946 when Morry first started bending glass. Established the same year America decided diners, drive-ins, and optimism were perfectly reasonable things to mass-produce, Morry’s has
As the Route 66 Centennial approaches, something interesting is happening. This isn’t just an anniversary tour or a nostalgia lap. It’s a full-scale reawakening of interest in the American road trip—one rooted in history, preservation, and the lived experience of the road itself. The centennial is acting like a spotlight, illuminating not just the highway, but the stories, architecture, roadside culture, and communities that grew up along it. And people are paying attention. Travelers want