I loved this article from Retro Renovation. Though we’re still in the “hey we have young kids and they get E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. on our couch and really any piece of furniture” stage – it’s fun to dream for when we can get to the, “Hey look! We can have nice furniture and it won’t get puked on, spilled on, etc. ” stage!
Until then we’ll keep dreaming, keep putting back ideas for the future and when the time comes – pounce on it 
“You put in a french drain system? Sweet! I bet you’re really loving that.”
“Dude! LOVE the new roof and gutters man, it really shows off the house. Makes it like home ya know?”
What? You’ve never really walked into someone’s house and uttered those two things? Yeah, me neither. But see, that’s the balance of patience and renovations. We’re spending money on the big things right now, the foundational things, the absolute must have done things. And? While necessary, kinda sucks. It’s not the fun stuff. Being a grown up is hard to do.
We knew we’d need the french drain. Thought it was one of those “eventually we’ll get to that” things and not a “Oh wow! Look at that water coming down the basement walls!” kind of thing.
Patience, patience, patience. We have to remind ourselves of that as we look at our white walls and sparse original furniture (while I’m not knocking the $150 craigslist couch as its good with small kids definitely – not exactly our style).
It would be fun to spend that money turning this:
Into something like this from Falling Waters Landscape:
Or perhaps turn a room into something like such:
And so I’ll keep telling myself (and R), “Patience, patience, patience. Someday, someday, someday.”
As you may know…I’m constantly searching around for mid century modern pieces. I scour the thrift stores, rummage yard sales, and I even get on a notification list at all the local antique shops. And yes, it pays off at times. Especially when you find great stuff.
I want to share with you my most sought after piece of furniture. It’s a mid century modern chaise that brings a smile to my face every time I lay eyes on it. Just look at the curves on this fine piece of art.
I found this nice arm charm in an antique shop I frequently almost weekly. It’s sturdy and strong. It doesn’t appear to have any function defects. It’s a bit scratched, but that comes with the antique territory.
Not sure what I’m going to do in the long run with this butcher block table. But I’m currently using it for my home office. I will have to show you the final results of the office when I’m finished. But for now…take a look at this hunk of a piece.
Accessories always matter when trying to mingle new modern in with the older mid century modern furniture. Keeping my eyes peeled back seems to help me find great glassware of the MCM era.
And the tea cups! Small, petite, bold, and powerful. All in one. Need I say more?
We would like to extend an invent to those of you who are always on the hunt for great furniture, cool accessories, and fabulous finds. You can send us links and or guest blog on Mid Century Modern Life.
Today I listed our old square contemporary table on Craigslist. While trying to describe it, several ideas ran through my mind as to how to describe it. I was honest and described it as I saw it. But if you’d like to get a little more traffic for your listing by calling it a mid century modern, Scandinavian, or Retro…you can use this awesome Craigslist infographic from the talented Lunchbreath.
Just recently I was scouring different thrift stores and antique shops. Often I find little pieces here and there that helps bring the mid century modern decor together. But I’m here to tell you — I found a really nice set of diamonds in the rough. A set of early 1960′s speakers sitting on tall sexy slender stands turned me on as soon as I laid eyes on ‘em. I found them at Nest Lincoln on 19th and “O” street, downtown Lincoln Nebraska. Nest is a great mid century modern place to find great deals.
I can hear Al Green – “Love and Happiness” beating a smooth rhythm in my veins. I plan to put these in my office space that’s soon to be made over. But with the versatility in these beauties — I could use them in the living area. So many options.
Stay tuned for the office design. I might need your help on arrangement. I have some key pieces. But I’ll need an extra set of eyes to put in some good ideas.
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KEYNOTES:
Al Green’s origin (You will find that he’s from Arkansas). I bet you didn’t know that! We’re all not hillbillies.
