retro / fix

egg chair

2010-06-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

The Egg is a chair designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1958 for Radisson SAS hotel in Copenhagen. It is manufactured by Republic of Fritz Hansen.

The Egg was designed in a typical Jacobsen style, where there was no fear of pushing the material to its limit, and often using entirely new materials to make his designs come true.

It is believed to be inspired by Eero Saarinen's "Womb chair", from which it gains some traits. In many respects, though, the Egg is a much more complete design.

Related to the Egg is the Swan and, to some degree, many of Jacobsen's plywood chairs such as "7", the Ant, the Cigar, the Grand Prix-chair, the Pot, the Drop and the Giraffe.

The Egg was (as was the Swan) designed as a couch also - though the actual piece was thought to be a figment of someone's imagination, fed by the existence of the Swan-couch. While the Swan-couch is still in production, only a handful of Egg-couches have ever been made. A few were made for the Radisson Hotel, and a few years back, some were made as a "special edition" couch. The price was quite high - about 400.000 dkr., the equivalent of 60,000 USD.

The reason for the limited production of the Egg-couch, besides the wish for exclusivity, is the difficulty involved in making it, plus a design-"flaw"- the couch is too big to be covered by two entire cow-hides, which is only just possible with the Egg-chair. This leaves a very visible stitching down the middle of the couch - definitely not in Jacobsen spirit. This problem can, however, be solved by making the upholstery in fabric rather than leather.

According to a New York Times article, the Egg chair has also been used by McDonalds as part of a high-concept redesign of one of its restaurants in London. Furthermore The Egg is in McDonalds on Nørrebrogade in Copenhagen, amongst orther furniture by Arne Jacobsen, although some being imitations.
-straight out of wiki

green with envy

2010-06-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

not too sure where to credit these, since they're mostly from my collection of random pretty things i've found on the internets. here are some tasty little things to accommodate your scrumptiously green rooms:

mini succulent plant.

self-watering planter.

retro usb turntable.

spotlight: kate miller-heidke

2010-06-06T22:41:00.000-07:00

i saw this amazing singer/songwriter live as an opening band for ben folds and she literally blew me away with her powerful vocals and opera-like quirky additions. kate miller-heidke has now become one of my favorite singers. she also likes to sing about the 60's every so often; after reading up on her, she's been known to have said things about wishing she had lived back then. oh the retro glory of it all.

i[heart]talent

2010-06-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

gaga, lykke li, mike posner, and the prince himself.

2010-05-24T01:41:00.000-07:00

mpTAP3.

celeb mod

2010-05-04T21:10:00.000-07:00

many celebs have been spotted showing off their fabulous 60's style going out-fits whether the dress is a newer rendition of 60s inspired looks, or a real vintage dress from some outrageously overpriced parisian boutique specialty store. whatever the case, they look amazingly hip and retro.

victoria beckham and mischa barton

erykah badu

nicole richie and lily allen

sienna miller

lady gaga <3

Credenza Crazy

2010-05-03T15:10:00.000-07:00

cre·den·za (krĭ-děn'zə)
n.
A buffet, sideboard, or bookcase, especially one without legs.

A piece of office furniture having a long flat top and usually file drawers.

[Italian, from Medieval Latin crēdentia , trust (possibly from the practice of placing food and drink on a sideboard to be tasted by a servant before being served to ensure that it contained no poison) ; see credence .]

all credenza images found here, here, here, and here. enjoy and trust in your credenza (see dictionary.com).

have a feisty day

2010-05-02T16:47:00.000-07:00

i'm sorry for not updating in a while. i've been busy with school (i'm graduating!!) and am in transition from a house with 8 people living in it, to a cute little apartment, which i'm very excited about because i'll be taking many pictures of the progression and tips you can try to improve your home! plus i'm just excited to see how cute everything turns out! anyways, retrofix magazine will be postponed until further notice (basically, i will need to wait a while more so i can get more people to subscribe), but check out this amazing singer, feist, while you wait.. and stay tuned for more amazing retro and eclectic finds!

paper dollhouse

2010-04-20T01:51:00.000-07:00

so, i liked the one i made for sarah so much, that i made another one. i'm going attempt to make this into a weekly or biweekly series on retrofixmag blog XD.

photoshop design fix

2010-04-19T22:37:00.001-07:00

my friend sarah asked about some photoshop tips/tricks so i redesigned her apartment using photoshop to support my explanation. here is the result (kind of sloppy job, but looks cute anyways). she asked for native american and 70s influences.

stationarium

2010-04-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

ever find yourself rummaging through stacks upon stacks of cards at hallmark in search of the perfect words to express how you feel to your friend, lover, family, etc, etc? well, why not express how you feel with art! here are some fascinating designs i've found that will blow your card-recipient away...

all eclecticly-tasteful notecards available at www.velocityartanddesign.com

found: art on redbubble

2010-04-11T23:17:00.000-07:00

redbubble.com displays adorable artworks for your home and your t-shirts (retro and modern)

"RedBubble is a vibrant global community of people with creative interests. It's a forum of self expression, an inclusive art gallery and a supportive and welcoming community.

We believe everyone has the right to be an artist, to create and to share. We think imagination and creative expression and communication should be encouraged and celebrated." [www.redbubble.com]

and i certainly second that!

cute!

2010-04-10T20:57:00.000-07:00

1.let the beat drop speaker 2.fishy tub plug 3.grand 'ol kitchen timers 4.panda-y chopsticks rest 5.comfy spinter-y DIY pillow 6.bear rug-eske coaster 7.frillionaire dress 8. modemocracy dress 9.vintage; reborn 10.panda ear buddies

DOG MOD

2010-04-08T03:06:00.000-07:00

keep your dog warm, cozy, and stylish in this 1960's inspired dog bed from style hive.

yet another stylish dog bed with comfy white bedding and one with super 60's black n white pillowy goodness at mod-dog.com

woaaaaah check out this amazing lookin' dog bed! and wow, what functionality! it can double as a nightstand! i want i want! but for $650? i might pass this one up :\ i'm pretty sure i can figure out how to make it myself. nightstand mod dog bed also at the wonderful mod-dog.com

a little taget-ish, but a sophisticated, yet funky way to dress up any "dog bed area" of your home. find it at thecanvaslounge.co.uk

purina was good then and it's good now. my dog was losing her hair like crazy and having seizures... we switched her dog food to purina and all her hair grew back and we haven't seen any problems yet. works great!

not sure if pedigree works as well as purina, but they definitely know how to create an amazing ad! check this out:

oh wait! and here's one for the kitty :] (also at style hive)

buzz off!

2010-04-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

i am taking a bees and beekeeping class at my university and today was amazing! we got to actually see the bees working from inside the hive and a sweet taste of that fresh citrus honey! it inspired me to search for bee-goodies and low and behold, i came upon an abundance of buzzing bee products... sweet success!

poison ivy soap at burtsbees.com, real bee hive vase at moma, honey bee honey jar ($39.99) at jaf gifts, bee lamp (a still concept, but production is in process!) by Yar Rassadin, bumble bee wall decal ($8.00) from XpressionsThatStick's etsy, beehive felt pincushion ($24.95) from Autumn2May's etsy, and honey bee kitchen tea set ($6.99) from maggie's crochet.

honey comb candles from kim's

NO COMMENTS?!

2010-04-02T19:11:00.000-07:00

i know this a newish blog. i know this stuff may not be interesting for my friends. but come on! is there anyone out there at all? i know SOMEONE'S looking at my blog considering the increase in my counter (which proves maybe two to three people visit my blog per day), and if you are then you definitely should use your fabulous commenting abilities. anyone can do it, it only takes a second, and i'd sure love to hear from you. let me know anything that's on your mind, related to the post or not. :)

you have the right to comment, now go abuse it!

rugtastic!

2010-04-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

rugs can be a great way to add a little zest to any living room, bedroom, etc. although overdoing it can be a problem. i loved the rugs at urban so much i bought too many and it ended up making the place's cohesiveness fall tragically apart. however! a remedy is here and ready. don't buy too many rugs! eye the space you want to add rugs to, and when you're purchasing them, visualize how that rug will look, what colors and designs match, and buy based on that and that only. if buying online, make sure to measure out the dimensions. if you insist that all the rugs you find are a must-have, buy them anyways! you can always roll them up and replace them with other rugs to switch up the style time to time. (*whispers* that's what makes them so awesome!)

all gorgeous rugs found at modernrugs.com/urbanoutfitters.com

60's hodgepodge

2010-04-01T11:15:00.000-07:00

take a peek inside this week's treasure chest:

black and white vases, clock, and hexagon/slats wall art found on retro planet, lulu tweed chair, charming red and green teapots, and mod pod side table all available at the wonderful urban.

kinky monday

2010-03-29T17:58:00.000-07:00

let's hear it for that lovely 60s guitar sound, beatles bowl cuts, and transexual lyricality brought to us by english-born stars of kinky early rock that brought joy and tears to many of the screaming mod girls that loved to rock and to roll. the kinks of the 1960s brought us engaging new music that will forever be an invasion of the us-via-britain classic.

guys, i love the puffy shirts (yours too, jerry)

2010-03-27T19:10:00.001-07:00

can i please have this glossy white blissful piece of retro, modular eye candy? and, wait... it's available at ikea? i'm heading there immediately!

mid century house renovations

2010-03-27T18:25:00.001-07:00

renovating your house can be a daunting task, but when it's all over, you'll know it was well worth it. take, for example, some of these retro-style renovated home finds from retrorenovation.com

i adore this furniture! i adore this living room! everything is just amazing!

stupid is as stupid does

2010-03-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

i've been ordering stuff for my friends and for my home from stupid.com since high school. stupid.com offers a variety of not only stupid stuff, but unique finds you're not going to see at spencers, gift shops, or walmart. take a look see at some of this stupidi-ty. ;)

silly straw glasses for when you just need to look cool at all times, even when you're drinking. (these sunglasses also can be worn at night)

these amazing bacon and egg bandages are perfect for boo-boos in the morning!

the umbrella hat is perfect for those rainy days where you only want to keep your head dry.

the "2 carat cup" is, honestly, kind of f-ed up, but hilariously entertaining! for all those guys out there who simply can't commit... why not play a practical joke on your lover by pretending to propose? if you don't get the real thing out of him, at least you'll have a cute cup and a great conversation piece for your home.

a must-buy for any bathroom-owner! i love these sushi bar soaps! i want them for myself, and when i get my new apartment, these are going to be at the top of my list! (i just hope they don't smell like sushi)

not sure if this has been established on my blog so far, but i AM a crazy cat lady. i have two beautiful cats that i love taking pictures of (photos coming soon), and i know this "crazy cat lady action figure" would suit any cat-lover's pad well.

keep your place squeaky (and squeely) clean with this pig vacuum! also available in cow form.

dog corn holders are perfect for those days you need to hold your corn without getting your fingers too grubby. let this adorable little doxen be your guide to a delicious soul-food/native american treat. retro fix is not liable for any misconstrued interpretations of mixing dogs with food...

one vespa to go, please!

2010-03-25T15:52:00.001-07:00

oh joy. i love vespas almost as much as i love retro interior decorating! take a look at these interesting vespa finds (oh so lovely and 60s).

and what the...WOW what a great toy for kids!

deviant artists

2010-03-24T17:26:00.000-07:00

here's some groovy art pieces, photographs, etc from deviant art that would spice up any room, retro style.

Mod Room by *missfawn

A mod: sitting...waiting... by ~Tearsofautumn

Twiggy by ohindiegirl

Quintuplets by ~butwerenotrobots
this is actually one by yours truly (elissa e) taken in my bedroom when i was in high school ;)

and now, i must depart my little retro chillens, for i've got some plans in la tonight. want to meet me there? if you're looking for los angeles adventures, here's where i'm headed:

the liquid kitty:
i love the vintage 70's porn they play on the walls, the cheap $4 martinis with free cigarette, the dark ambiance, and the amazing people i've met there (the bartender's quite a dick, though). check it out next time you're around pico blvd!

SOULSIDE! mod club:
never been here, but i'm gonna check it out and i'll report back with details.

the bullet:
i'm pretty sure i came here a long time ago and thought it was amazing! i can't wait to give this place a re-visit.

old vs. new

2010-03-23T16:37:00.000-07:00

many elements in your home may be new, but it doesn't hurt to add some thrifting or vintage store finds to your collection. not only is combining old and new okay, but it's recommended! mixing your old retro finds with your newer stuff blends the items together so that you feel truly in the decade you love, without feeling outdated or overly modern.

quirky and amazing 60s style bird nest (old) at retro home, delightfully green mid century chair (old) also available at retro home, awesome 60's classic pendant lamp (new) at archi expo, original hans wagner sofas (old) at norepro, beautiful blown glass retro-style (new) at retro art glass, and a mod retro/teak linen pillow on ebay.

music mondays: Polmplamoose Music

2010-03-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

Pomplamoose Music is a musical duo consisting of Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn. I found them on youtube and was absolutely blown away by their music. The down-to-earth talented couple (or maybe they're just friends?) have created an original, spunky, and home-made sound that warms your heart. They've made lady gaga and beyonce covers, with new music they've created themselves. Using odd combinations of xylophones, tiny pianos, old ragtimey pianos, acoustic guitars, etc etc add such a fun sound paired with Nataly's beautiful old-soul, vintage 40's sounding voice. Indie rock has never sounded so good; check them out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/PomplamooseMusic

want to make your own music? build a sweet studio! buying products here and there, little by little will fill up your music room in no time:

3-oscillator analog machine at www.synthesizers.com

play your songs for everyone as a dj! i've done it, you can do it too... perfect for a house party! get a pioneer djm-400 mixer at www.amazon.com

you're gonna need some sweet turntables with your mixer to be a real dj for your cute house party. get these technics at www.amazon.com

desks, tables, and chairs, oh my!

2010-03-21T21:24:00.000-07:00

scandinavian style mid century furnishings give your home an eclectic retro feel without going too overboard. if you dig the retro 60s look, but you love to mix and match other styles too, adding a simple wooden desk or chair can give your home some retro mod appeal, without being too in-your-face 1960s. or, if you love the 60's look at want to go full out with the mid century styles, these tables and chairs are a must-have!

midcentury with an ultra-modern, sleek and unique look. just beautiful! find it here

what a pair! these two beautiful side tables add the geometric 60's element we all crave. find it here

here's one i've seen many times before, but it never gets old. the mid century magazine rack slash adorable side table. ahhh, function and beauty working together. find it here

i love this eclectic bokja chair and i know you will too!

what a great little modern chair with a mid century twist. this orange shelter island chair is quite a unique find.

these vitra vegetal chairs have eye catching color and would give your pad an interesting conversation piece, where you can sit and actually have conversations, while you're conversing about the chair itself! why not mix eclectic beauty with retro luxe? check the chairs out here, then start a conversation about them here: on retro/fix blog! 8]

cooking mama - quick & easy breakfast burritos

2010-03-20T15:38:00.002-07:00

i must admit, i love burritos. all kinds of burritos. carne asada, carnitas, pastor, chicken, enchilada style, dry, with extra salsa, with extra mole sauce, etc etc... but one burrito i insist on having every sunday morning (i work at a mexican restaurant) is the breakfast burrito! i had a breakfast burrito this morning because i was feeling a little hung over, and you must believe me: this is a definite hangover cure! here's my own recipe for quick and easy burritos you can make in your cute little kitchen. so easy a drunk dude can make it!

Ingredients:
- 1 Handful of Shredded Potatoes
- 2-4 Strips of Bacon
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Large Flour Tortilla
- Shredded Cheese

Directions:
1) Cook the hash browns first, because this will take the longest. Put a little glob of butter in the frying pan and sprinkle the shredded potatoes around the pan. Let it fry for a while and keep checking to see if it's crispy enough to flip over.
2) While the hash browns are frying, lay the bacon in other pan and cook it.
4) when the bacon is done, tear or cut it into 1 inch pieces and put the pieces back in another frying pan. Pour a bit of oil and crack two eggs in with the bacon and cook up both the eggs and bacon together until the egg is scrambled and to your liking.
5) Then, either heat up the tortilla or fry it until warm. Sprinkle as much cheese as you wish on the tortilla, then place the hash browns in it. Place the bacon/egg mixture in the tortilla.
6) Fold the sides in, then roll the burrito up tightly, but not too tight (you don't want it to break), and you're done! MmmmMMMM!!

Why not enjoy your meal on some of these awesome dinnerware finds:

yeah... they're snack sets for kid's at style hive, but who says adult's can't use 'em? i think they're adorable and have just a hint of retro glorious-ness. ;)

the city of cairo! underneath your breakfast! these map plates make a great conversation piece; perfect for dining with friends. cairo city plate and berlin city plate found at not neutral

okay, so you've got the cool space, the mid century sofa, the starburst wall clock; basically, everything you need for a hot retro pad, but you still feel like you're missing one truly 60's element. worry no more with these amazing warhol plates. they add just the right touch of true 60's mod art, without going overboard. get 'em while they're hot.

hePaints tech junk

2010-03-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

What an amazing idea! German artist Satta van Daal, now living in Melbourne, Australia, literally has turned trash to treasures that will make any home sparkle. He has taken old 1980s/90s Mac computer and tech parts, and transformed them into groovy retro masterpieces. Check out some of Satta van Daal's artwork:

i thought this was such a great idea, and if you love it as much as i do, you'll try it at home for yourself! go to a thrift store electronics section or even dig through your local junkyard for some old flat electronic pieces (something you could hang on the wall would be great), and either paint them by hand, or use spray paint. be creative! the possibilities are endless! here are some stencils for you to use courtesy of stencilry

edie sedgwick stenicl; oh so warhol-y

audrey hepburn; what a classic!

please don't stop that retro music

eclectic peacock feather (can i have this tattooed on my back please?)

a look inside the treasure chest

2010-03-18T10:56:00.001-07:00

the wonderful world of accessories supplies us with a glorious treasure chest of goodies for your home that make all the difference. take a peek inside and let me know what you think. ;)

light fixtures at ikea, vintage drop ashtray/blue edged mirror/kitty ring holder at urban, black n white mod pillow on etsy, and starburst clock at little clock shop.

japan a go go

2010-03-17T12:49:00.000-07:00

we all love those weird little japanese items. they may not have many retro elements, but they're sure a great way to add some eclectic flare to your space. check out these awesome trinkets:

cute little frog family and happy kitty will bring you good luck! available atjbox.

who wouldn't want to have the cutest ipod in town? rilakkuma ipod case at jbox.

what a great way to kawaii-size your fridge! i love these japanese wagashi magnets at jbox.

don't you just hate it when it's too cold not to wear socks, but you can't leave the house without your flipflops? now you don't have to! wear your flip flops and socks at the same time without damaging your regular socks! haha! get your geta socks on at jbox.

how can you not be artfully inspired by all of japan's quirky creativity? take a look at their mcdonald's ad:

i really think adding a unique bamboo pillow to your bed would make a bold and beautiful statement. looks a little uncomfortable, but sometimes looks may be deceiving; i've been told you'll sleep like a baby.

i love the simplicity of graf's japanese furniture with a mid century spin. the clean lines would give any home a sophisticated elegance, perfect for the basic foundation needed before accessorizing. by the way, i love accessorizing and we'll definitely dive further into the world of dressing up your room with tomorrow's "accessories weekly".

shop smart

2010-03-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

after decorating my old apartment a couple years ago, a neighbor friend stopped by and was amazed at how it looked. her walls were blank, her furniture was outdated, and she told me that she didn't even think about decorating the place and the difference in atmosphere it would make. i told her some of the places i shopped and where to get a good start and a few weeks later, her apartment was looking fabulous. sometimes it seems so hard to reinvent your place because of the high costs of furniture, etc, but if you shop smart using these tips and a little creativity, you can style your space in no time!

1) find an inspiration piece.

these adorable pink notepads, $3, available at big foot press's etsy.

2) if you can, splurge a little on one piece of furniture you can't resist.

mixing and matching basic design with something a little wild and out there will give your place just the spark you need for an eye-catching, yet not too over-the-top appeal. get this yummy piece of midcentury mouth-wateringness, $250, spearmint apostrophe chair at urban.

3) use the furniture you've already got.

in my old apartment, i had these horrible grandma pukey flower couches that a friend almost threw out. i needed some kind of couches because all i had before was an inflatable couch (hey, i'm in college alright?) so, i took them in and bought some slip covers. the first one i tried didn't work, it was too deep red for the look i was going for, so i took them back for some light beige suede-ish covers and it worked perfectly! many times it's hard to find the right size, but if you love the covers and they simply don't fit, stretch the covers over each piece and staple underneath (reupholstering techniques will be covered in more detail in the future). you can also use mattress covers to reupholster your couch. eddie ross has a handy guide on his blog.

4) shop ikea! (in small doses)

for only $60, get this basic and cute coffee table. a definite upgrade from ikea's previous and too basic four-leg-and-square table.

5) go thrifting, but remember to color coordinate.

thrift stores are filled with so many goodies, but sometimes it may be hard to find something that matches your style. with my last apartment, i oftentimes bought too many great things that i found at thrift stores, which ended up not matching leaving my apartment to look like a rainbow threw up on it. this coming year, i'm making sure i have specific colors in mind. if you find a piece that you just have to have, remember that you can always paint it!

this lamp looks like it might have been painted, which gets me all giddy inside because i found a lamp exactly like this but x10 at a thrift store a month or so ago, and i can't wait to find a perfect place for it in my apartment. i found these adorable photos and so much more thanks to whorange's recommendation of the interior styling pool on flikr.

6) find useful items packed with style.

headphones, sewing machine, owl bank, and bottle opener skeleton key all available at urban.

retro fix blog is born

2010-03-15T20:08:00.000-07:00

retro/fix magazine sample (rough draft of the upcoming magazine)

welcome to the grand opening of the retro/fix magazine blog! retro fix magazine is a new printed, interior design/art-based niche magazine featuring tips and tricks of interior designing/decorating, latest fashions and trends, reviews of modern and retro art, music, film, and culture, and extra fabulous eye-popping retro appeal created by yours truly (elissa elizondo) with the help of all of you, who will help me make this possible (i hope!). if you have any suggestions, volunteer pieces to contribute, or any useful tips that have helped you with art/design/decor, feel free to send me an e-mail. every day i will be updating this blog with new finds from thrift stores, vintage shops, boutiques, art galleries, concerts, or simply browsing the wonderful world of the internets. this magazine is set to launch april/may 2010, so if you're interested in participating, don't hesitate to jump aboard this exciting new ride for a beautiful, inspiring, and deliciously retro adventure!

if you'd like to pre-order retro/fix magazine, please send an e-mail inquiry to retrofixelissa@yahoo.com