Home Improvement Appliances

Archive for the ‘Home Improvement Reviews’ Category

In wake of the news that Formica is discontinuing, or has discontinued, two shades of our beloved boomerang laminate, I started receiving reports from readers of other discontinuations. I checked with the super duper helpful PR folks (thanks, Laura!). Warning warning Will Robinson: To ensure you get while the gettin’ is good, read this full report:

• 6918 Atomic Orange and 6919 Atomic Turf were discontinued as of August 2, 2010. After the deletion date of 8/2/10, these colors will be available while supplies last or until 12/31/10, whichever comes first.
• Two of the Boomerangs – 6940 Skylark Boomerang and 6941 Coral Boomerang — were discontinued as of August 2, 2010.  After the deletion date of 8/2/10, these colors will be available while supplies last or until 12/31/10, whichever comes first.
• 6943 VirrVarr White and 6944 VirrVarr Light Blue will be discontinued as of January 17, 2011.  After

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The Brady Bunch began airing in 1969 — their birthday was just a few days ago, Sept. 26. This 1969 paint color brochure from Benjamin Moore is not featuring their house, but it might as well be.  The colors that dominated the upcoming 70s era are all here: Empire Gold, Mango Orange, Wedgwood (aka Avocado) Green, Tobacco Brown…. The 1969 living room above isn’t exactly Carol Brady — she and architect Mike had the mod California split level thing going on… but I particularly like the arrangement of prints and wall plaques. This is definitely “coolonial” decor, groovy in its own right. Click through for 14 more images from 1969, some of which are sure to have you scratching your head saying, Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!…

To view the slide show, click on the first thumbnail. Once it’s enlarg

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Interior design in the 1960s featured colors that were bright, plentiful and not afraid of to play with contrast… but you sure can see the 1970s sneaking up, even by 1966.  Goodness — look at this pink perfection confection basement rumpus room — one of 16 bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms and other spaces featured in my 1966 Sherwin Williams paint brochure. In particular, I want to marry those Eames style chairs — and look: There are matching bar stools, too. I think I’ve seen the dinette before… my memory is vague… it may be the bestest ever. But I say that every time I see another cool dinette, don’t I? I also love some of the colonial-modern living rooms in this brochure… and I am now incited to get me some mid mod wig stands — notice them peeking out here and there. What is that all about? The women’s falls and other hair pieces that were so popular in the 60s? Oh, I have some of tho

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6th in a continuing series on historic mid century homes open to the public.

Mid century modern design enthusiasts are likely familiar with the work of Russel Wright — an iconic designer of furnishings and dinnerware beginning in the 1930s. His “American Modern” dinnerware, which sold 250 million pieces from 1939-1959, is considered the best-selling dinnerware of all time (although I tend to believe Corelle has now outsold them.) Russel and his wife and business partner Mary also attained a level of celebrity for their best-selling 1950 book, “Guide to Easier Living,” which promoted a more casual American lifestyle. Mary is even credited with coining the term “blonde” to describe that particular shade of furniture — Russel’s American Modern line of furniture manufactured by Conant-Ball also was quite popular. After Mary died…

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When I first really started using my room in middle school, it was nothing like it is today. The walls were bare, the carpet messy and there was barely any furniture. My first collection was my posters. They were cheap and accessible — a theme that most of my treasures have. Over time I started pulling stuff out of the basement, garage, closets, everywhere. I started attending more yard sales, then discovered the wondrous world of estate sales. Goodwill and other local thrift stores were another great place of discovery (and still are today).

The more treasures I got, the cleaner my room became. Everything has its place — every night I pretty much do a quick run around and fix/scoot/arrange some things here ‘n there. Since I got new carpet, I have learned to love the vacuum. I use

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