Saturday, 21 March 2009

Retro glamour: My living room in a fashion shoot

A few weeks ago at the magazine I work for, we needed a location with a 70s vibe and having just completed painting my walls, I volunteered my living room. I had all sorts of props available but it definitely worked out that less was better. I love that I managed to get one of my Cathrineholm bowls in though. That is the second time my red phone has featured in the magazine as well.

(Above left) Jack was keen to get into the action, he ran under the models skirt numerous times. She was a true professional though, never budging.
(Above right) Poor Lee, our photographer, only just had enough space to get the angle he needed. As it happened, he didn't end up using any studio lights, just the morning light from the open window and intense glow of the lamp my step-dad made in the 60's.

The layout (which is one of my jobs for the mag) as it appeared in West Weekend Magazine, p22, 23 February 21st, 2009.
You might also like to check out more of the work of our photographer, Lee Griffith.

Labels: cat, cathrineholm, green, lamp, Lee Griffith, orange, photography, retro, telephone, The West Australian Newspaper, West Weekend Magazine

posted by topia7  # 9:18 PM 8 Comments

Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Treasured trash lights up

As I have an Orange themed house warming party coming up at my place this Saturday night, my eyes have been trained to pick out anything orange and my brain is automatically converting it to how it could be used for the party (eg. orange squeegee-mop: a mohawk for a monster costume). When driving home from Bunnings a flash of orange caught my eye in a pile of unwanted bulk-rubbish, I slammed on my breaks to investigate.
Attached to a very worn and broken wooden lamp stand was a slightly bruised but ultimately awesome large 1970's lamp shade. What a find!
I ripped it away from the lamp stand (which I probably should have grabbed too and attempted to repair) and made a detour to Ikea where I bought this Januari Floor Lamp Base. It's shiny stainless steal (not the terrible matte silver that Ikea do so much of) and I think the combination modern base and retro lamp shade look great.
Now all I need is a couple of orange bean-bags... Hmm...

Labels: furniture, green, ikea, interior, Januari, lamp, my new apartment, orange, red, retro

posted by topia7  # 11:26 PM 2 Comments

Sunday, 14 December 2008

Flickr find: Froggyboggler's bizarre 1950's Christmas graphics

Looking for something a bit retro and a bit different to be inspired by this Christmas? Then it's definitely worth checking our Froggyboggler's flickr set, Merry Xmas.
I found this Galaxy Science Fiction magazine cover from 1951 seriously strange, particularly the alien sitting at Santa's table gazing wistfully at the big man in red. I think it's true love.
There are a series of pulp fiction covers in the set called A Corpse for Christmas and various Astounding Science Fiction covers worth checking out too, along with more traditional mid-century Christmas imagery.
Go see Froggyboggler's flickr set, Merry Xmas.

Labels: 1950s, alien, Christmas, flickr, froggyboggler, illustration, retro, science fiction, vintage

posted by topia7  # 1:03 PM 2 Comments

Monday, 20 October 2008

Dreaming green: The apartment that has inspired me to paint

I first saw Maya and Michael's apartment on Apartment Therapy earlier this year. I kept that wonderful rich pea-green in mind for my place (as you know, I have a lot of reds, oranges and teak wood) but was keen to see it again; it's a bold choice, wanted to make sure I really liked it...
Last week I stumbled across Maya and Michael's apartment again as part of the Apartment Therapy Fall Colours 2008 competition. I think it's meant to be as I am on holidays from work for two weeks and this week my goal is to paint my living room and kitchen.
I really do love that colour, thanks Maya and Michael for sharing and inspiring me to paint!
Want to see more? Go vote for them at AT, see more images of their loft apartment on flikr, browse their prints and coasters on Etsy, read what their up to on their blog or check out the Visualingual website.

Labels: Apartment Therapy, Etsy, flickr, green, painting, retro, Visualingual

posted by topia7  # 12:33 AM 1 Comments

Monday, 13 October 2008

A little bit of modern-retro zen with Flensted

I took a wonder into my favourite store, William Topp, on Sunday avo and finally got an item I have had my eye on for some time, a Flensted mobile. The one I chose is called Flowing Rhythm and it really is mesmerising to watch.
I have hung it at eye level with artwork (an etching I bought in Hanoi and photos I took in Hanoi and Siem Reap) above and below it so it visually links the work.
Just the modern-retro addition I needed to add some zen to the room!

Labels: art, Cambodia, Flensted, modern, my new apartment, photography, red, retro, sculpture, Vietnam, William Topp

posted by topia7  # 9:05 PM 0 Comments

Saturday, 11 October 2008

Click-click-clack ching!: Red retro writer

What it is about a fully restored cherry red typewriter from the 1950's that gets me so excited? Maybe it's the romantic ideas of click-clacking away, writing the great Australian novel or just the old technology that produces that every-letter-different, hand-done quality, even by a machine. Realistically, I am sure this typewriter would never actually get used but it sure would make a great feature piece in my lounge room and go perfectly with my retro red telephone.
The 1950's Royal Typewriter is from Three Potato Four. They have some awesome stuff there, all able to be shipped internationally so be sure to check them out.

Labels: alphabet, decor, red, retro, Three Potato Four, typewriter

posted by topia7  # 3:05 PM 0 Comments

Sunday, 5 October 2008

Fresh setting: A place to sit and eat at my place

Just thought I would share the way I have set up my dining setting in my new place.
Last time I didn't show you my Mart Stam chairs (bargain of the century: leather is in perfect condition, slight rust marks on the chrome but only $20 for all four on eBay!) and they are super comfortable to sit in too.
I have tied it all together with a giant fresh leaf from a tropical plant (called???) in a retro red vase and some lemons in a teak nut-shaped bowl from a second hand store. The table is the extendible Bjursta.
Behind the setting is another screen-print by The Little Friends of Printmaking called Pacific Jamzzz. This one I put in a larger Ikea frame, Ribba, and filled it out a bit with red framing card.
I really enjoy mixing old and new and I think it all comes together very nicely.

Labels: art, Bjursta, black, chair, decor, ebay, ikea, Laos, Mart Stam, my new apartment, red, retro, Ribba, screen printing, The Little Friends of Print Making, vase

posted by topia7  # 11:12 AM 3 Comments

Friday, 3 October 2008

Green and amber glass in my kitchen window

I just wanted to share a little detail from my new place. I plan to do a full photographic survey when I have my new blinds and have painted etc, but here is a sneak peak for now.
A green vase and amber jug from eBay on my kitchen window shelf. I picked this native Australian flower (unsure of the name, got any ideas?) from my friends garden.
I had not thought to put these two pieces together until moving here and I think their shapes complement each other perfectly.

Labels: amber, decor, ebay, flower, Glass, green, kitchen, my new apartment, retro, vase, vintage

posted by topia7  # 11:02 AM 1 Comments

Friday, 26 September 2008

Neon ruin: Dramatic mid-century signage

Marco van Hylckama Vlieg has put together a dramatic and spectacular collection of his photographs showing mid-century signage that has seen better days.
I would love a collection of these prints framed in my hallway or perhaps this one, Fabricare, wallpapered in my bedroom.
Check out Neon Ruin.

Labels: black and white, Marco van Hylckama Vlieg, neon, photography, red, retro, sign, wallpaper

posted by topia7  # 10:39 AM 0 Comments

Thursday, 18 September 2008

Daily inspiration from life: Color stripes

Kris is an Italian artist and fashion designer with an insightful eye for colour.
She chooses photographs of interesting objects, places and with no limit of subjects (nebula to folk-art patterns) and carefully chooses between four to eight colour swatches from each photo.
Since finding Kris's blog I have been intrigued going through her various selections. I find colour from real life so much more harmonious.
I am thinking of redesigning my design blog with this colour scheme from a 1960's West German Scheurich vase next. Or perhaps I will be inspired to base my new colour scheme on a photo of my own... Thanks for sharing Kris!
Check out Kris's Color Stripes.

Labels: blue, colour, green, retro, West German Pottery

posted by topia7  # 11:11 AM 0 Comments

Sunday, 31 August 2008

Old made new: Telephone table as side table

Well, the big move is over and I have been loving organising and arranging my stuff in my new apartment. I have about twice as much space to work with and the original 1969 layout, kitchen and embellishments work so well with my modern/retro furnishings and collections.
As an intro to my new place I thought I would bring you one of my favourite pieces which I am using in a new way in my new place. It's a teak and leather telephone table that I picked up from a garage sale for the bargain price of $5. I have had it for a while and it's previous incarnation took the form of a bedside table. The little chair was perfect for sitting on while putting on shoes. But I don't have the space on that side of my bed here so I have used it as a side table next to my leather couch.
The red phone I also picked up from a garage sale, also for about $5 and the lamp, which glows a wonderful rich, warm orange, was made by my step-dad before it was retro. To complete the picture, the cushions I had custom-made by Jamric from Etsy. They cost way more than I had planned on spending but since everything else in the picture was such a bargain, I guess it all balances out in the end.
More snaps of my new place to come!

Labels: black, cushion, decor, Etsy, grey, interior, Jamric, lamp, leather, my new apartment, orange, red, retro, telephone, wood

posted by topia7  # 10:15 AM 3 Comments

Wednesday, 9 July 2008

Hints of an optimistic past: Progressive Dry Cleaners

Progressive Dry Cleaners are just around the corner from me on Herdsman Pde, Wembley in Perth, Western Australia.
I have been looking at their sign enviously ever since living here and as I am about to move into my new apartment, thought I better capture it in pixels. I think it must be from the 60s, it reminds me of the optimistic sentiment reflected in a lot of commercial work from that time. I love that it looks so retro but announces how progressive it is.
I just think it would look awesome mounted on the wall in my new apartment! Perhaps if they every update it I should put in a bid. I will just have to settle for a high quality print. If you would like one too, you can get a print here.

Labels: blue, perth, photography, print, retro, sign, sky

posted by topia7  # 10:59 AM 1 Comments

Friday, 4 July 2008

A symphony of visual perfection

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra, WASO, have commissioned some really wonderful artwork for their most recent series of classic performances. Among them are two of my favourites, Manfred & Mozart on the left and of course, Beethoven's 5th on the right.
I really appreciate the bold use of limited colour and striking central images used in these posters. They are reminiscent of posters for music from the past and become quite timeless looking as a result.
I have been trying to search online for where I might be able to purchase them as posters but haven't been able to come up with anything useful. If anyone knows of anything, please let me know.

Labels: art, birds, blue, illustration, music, perth, poster, red, retro, WASO

posted by topia7  # 10:40 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, 1 July 2008

Retro futurism with Eric Tan and Wall.E

I think it's awesome the way that Pixar use familiar retro design to promote there very 21st century films. I especially appreciate the simple lines and curves, limited colour pallet and use of darker shades for perspective. I would love either of these posters for my wall!
On the website i09, Eric Tan, one of Pixar's illustrators, is interviewed about his design process and inspiration for the film Wall.E, as well as a comparison to some of the original posters.
Eric Tan says:

I think retro advertising might work because they're based in something we're all used to seeing. There's a comfort in that. There was a defining look to past decades that immediately brings you back to those days. If our job as artists/communicators is to evoke a feeling and/or emotion out of a piece, it's a good way to instantly bring the viewer that feeling of nostalgia.

Check out the whole interview, well worth a read!
Also, see Eric Tan's personal blog for more of his inspiring work.

Labels: art, Eric Tan, illustration, Pixar, retro

posted by topia7  # 12:22 AM 1 Comments

Saturday, 28 June 2008

Mid-century modernism at it's best

Elsa & Darren have picked out some of the best mid-century pieces and put them together in a stunning way. I am envious of the space and light in their house, always helps to start with such a great setting.
Apartment Therapy have included an interview and inventory, as well as a tour through the house. Thanks again AT! Check it out.

Labels: Apartment Therapy, chair, decor, eames, furniture, interior, retro

posted by topia7  # 4:43 PM 0 Comments

Wednesday, 25 June 2008

Quirky robots to warm your heart... or eat your brains?

Looking for something a little different, maybe with autonomous movement and a grin that suggests crushing flesh? Check out General Robots.
There I found this wonderful sheet metal reproduction of Robot Liliput, first made in Japan in 1939. The packaging is also faithfully reproduced, complete with doe-eyed innocent children staring in wonder at the wind-up device.
I'll be adding Robot Liliput to my Christmas list!

Labels: orange, retro, robot, toy, yellow

posted by topia7  # 12:47 AM 0 Comments

Monday, 23 June 2008

Calebrated in stamps: Charles and Ray Eames

A set of stamps have been created to celebrate the work of Charles and Ray Eames. DIY Maven of curbly says:

The 16 stamp sheet was designed by Derry Noyes and depicts all aspects of the Eames’s creative vision including architecture, furniture, film and exhibits.

My favourite Eames chair is the moulded plywood lounge chair (bottom right) and I would love to see this stamp as a large format poster.
People outside of the US, you can buy the stamps from The Postal Store.

Labels: chair, eames, furniture, retro, stamps

posted by topia7  # 11:25 AM 1 Comments

Saturday, 21 June 2008

Flickr find: Abandoned vision of the a retro future

Cypherone has shared the most amazing images of an abandoned holiday resort in Sanjhih on the north coast of Taiwan. She says:

"I don't know why it was abandoned.
"Some people do believe that it was abandoned because haunted. In some version of story, someone died in an accident, then it became a haunted building.
But there is an another version of the the story.
"Some people believe it is because the government disallow building a bathing beaches in this area. It became a holiday resort on the coast that can't play on the beach, and soon it was abandoned.
"I don't know which story is true.

I like the ghost version of the story and if you look carefully at Cypherone's flickr set, you can see them in the reflections.

Labels: architecture, flickr, ghost, photography, red, retro, taiwan

posted by topia7  # 12:53 AM 2 Comments

Thursday, 19 June 2008

Etsy find: Introducing thebrokenmagpie

Thebrokenmagpie is a local (Perth, Western Australia) talent who has made her crafty work available to the world through Etsy.
I love this crazy, original little monster, Reinhold, with his antler and odd eyes.
I work with thebrokenmagpie's partner at The West and he has the coolest zombie made by her on his desk. I'm going to be checking back to see if she makes more and has them available on her Etsy page.
Thanks thebrokenmagpie.

Labels: Etsy, monster, perth, plushy, retro, thebokenmagpie, toy

posted by topia7  # 11:29 AM 0 Comments

Saturday, 7 June 2008

Flickr find: Red #FF0000

I stumbled across this flickr set put together by Splorp when looking for retro red phones.
There are some great images in here but as a collection, they look fantastic. A colour theme is a great way to collect seemingly random images. I would love to see these images printed and filling a wall.
Thanks for sharing it Splorp!
Check it out.

Labels: flickr, photography, red, retro

posted by topia7  # 12:00 PM 1 Comments

Friday, 6 June 2008

Eames style hat stand

Inspired by Apartment Therapy's coat rack story I thought I would share my hat stand, which is one of my favourite pieces. I had wanted one for ages but just couldn't find something suitably mid-century. I found plenty of antique ones and many contemporary ones but I just didn't think they would work.
Eventually I stumbled on this Eames style hat stand for only $30 at an antique stall at the Scarborough markets. It holds all my favourite hats, coat, umbrella and satchel perfectly positioned and ready to go on the way out the door.

Labels: Apartment Therapy, decor, eames, hat stand, interior, perth, retro

posted by topia7  # 11:49 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, 3 June 2008

Jeff Canham's hand painted sign art

Yesterday I was lucky enough to have ffffound Jeff Canham's amazing hand painted signs and the artwork derived from them. I love the way he uses the traditional methods of hand painted signs and brings them into a modern context. How great would this piece look on the wall behind my couch?
Check out more of what Jeff Canham does at his website.

Labels: art, craft, ffffound, Jeff Canham, print, retro, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 11:30 PM 0 Comments

Friday, 30 May 2008

Etsy find: Wondercabinet's fantasy specimen

In Wondercabinet's specimen series she manages to put together familiar botanical style images in new ways that always take a second glance to realise where they have come from. The prints blend beautifully and create something entirely new mixing fur, flower and shell. What adds to the authenticity and individuality is that Wondercabinet prints them on torn out pages from books, and the colour print interacts with the images and words on the book page beneath.
Truly magical.
Check out her Etsy page.

Labels: art, Etsy, illustration, nature, print, retro, screen printing, Wondercabinet

posted by topia7  # 10:55 AM 0 Comments

Thursday, 29 May 2008

'Eames' wooden fox

I found this little wooden fox in a second hand furniture store. I was instantly drawn to it's smooth lines and the way that it really looks like it is leaning forward, anticipating a chase. Then I picked it up and the solid, hard wood felt cool but somehow warm and inviting.
It is reminiscent of the Eames house bird although I have not seen anything like this lovely fox before.
If anyone has any ideas about where it comes from and how old it is, I would be very interested?

Labels: fox, retro, sculpture

posted by topia7  # 11:26 AM 1 Comments

Wednesday, 21 May 2008

What do you Expedit? Topia7: Orange retro vases on red tiles

I just received the orange jug with little cup (front) from ebay and it was enough to put the rest of my orange vases, of this shade, together, separate from the other retro amber, red and yellow orange ones to make a little collection of their own. They are sitting on some red Bendigo pottery tiles that my Grandma bought in the 70's and I rescued from her old shed (with her permission).
Expedit shelves from Ikea are great for making space for little collections.

What do you Expedit?

Labels: decor, ebay, expedit, ikea, interior, retro, vase

posted by topia7  # 11:52 AM 1 Comments