RetroMania Continues Its March to World Domination!

We don't generally get into brand-new stuff, but here goes: RetroMania's added a new location, at Montgomery Street Antique Mall! You know, the one off I-30 and, um, Montgomery Street. We're on Aisle 4, not far from the front desk at the main entrance: a great spot and really convenient. Come see us, yo! And while we're dropping news on you, we wanted to let you know that our shop at Butler's Antiques will be closed during July and August, as Butler's continues upgrades.

Luxury on a Budget

There's just no getting around it: This belted loden-and-cream coat is absolutely stunning — and uber feminine. Who wouldn't look like a midcentury goddess with miles of soft silver fox fur framing their face?
If you're into a more recent era, the sleek sheared mink bomber was once worn by Bianca Jagger. (Just kidding. But can't you just see her wearing this over some slinky disco duds?)
RetroMania is kind of excited about finding this Russian "watch" hat. Julie Christie looked so great wearing a fur hat in Dr. Zhivago — girls with long, straight hair can really rock that look. What's extra-cool: It's from the U.S.S.R., comrades! Inside are the letters "CCCP," the Russian abbreviation for the Soviet Union. Do svidanya!

Cutting-edge Vintage Fabrics

I love beautiful vintage fabric and I can't say no to some of the fantastic midcentury textiles that I come across from time to time. Yet I haven't operated a sewing machine since I was in junior high!
But the hoarding had to stop. Here are some fabrics that have left the dark drawer and are now in RetroMania. It's high time for some creative Etsy types to let these beauties shine — as amazing skirts, dresses or tops; on pillows or chairs; or as very cool curtains. For more eye candy, get a load of one of the midcentury master designers, Lucienne Day, whose designs went on everything from carpets to towels to teapots. It'll take your breath away.

Fort Worth 'Mad Men' Fans, Start Your Bidding!

Dashing Don Draper and his buddies didn't steal EVERYTHING when they left Sterling Cooper -- their awesome office furniture stayed behind, and some of it is up for grabs on eBay!
Sure wish the Peter Hvidt chairs in Don's office were among the goodies, but there's still lots of cool stuff to choose from -- everything from Pete Campbell's office settee (surely the one on eBay is too small to be the one in that very special scene with Peggy) to the fantastic abstract art in the conference room (top photo) to the numerous black chairs on casters in "the bullpen" (below).
Oh, yeah, and vintage clothes aficionados will be salivating over this: Three dresses worn on the show are also up for bid. How cool would it be to catch Los Noviembres at Scat Jazz Lounge decked out in the outfit shown here, the one that Betty wore to the Stork Club. Just go easy on the champagne, OK?
To add to the temptation, shipping for many of the sofas, desks and other large furniture pieces is FREE. The 10-day charity auction ends Sunday, with proceeds benefiting City of Hope, a medical and research institution dedicated to fighting cancer.

Pink Enamel Midcentury Appliances

I love Craigslist. RetroMania posts lots of things there, and last summer I stumbled across some to-die-for appliances on the freebies listings and -- Bonus Round -- also came to learn about a wildly talented local man, the late Wayne Grubb. Here's more about the appliances and Mr. Grubb.

Oh-so-smart little midcentury credenza

So often, each vintage credenza we find is as long as a city bus -- which can be a good thing, depending on your space. This retro baby is in fantastic shape, and it's a great size: 63 1/2" long, 29" high, with interior space that's 15 1/4" deep. Two drawers and two levels behind the sliding cabinet doors. So many possible uses! Of course, as with most midcentury furniture, it's built to last -- waaaaay past any wackiness 2012 might bring (aren't those Aztec calendars cool-looking, though? Dig the green-turquoise color!)

Restoring midcentury furniture

I'm currently working on refurbishing this little Lane table (top photo) to put in the shop. In this line of work, we see lots of furniture that needs love. Some of us are better than others at bringing these works of art back from the brink. On Dallas and Fort Worth Mid-Century Modern, I recently interviewed a man named Hank Tosh, who is dead serious about this endeavor. Check out his shop,Toshmahal (it's on Hampton Road in west Dallas) and you'll see: This man knows how to restore the glory of these deco and midcentury works of art. This is a Lane table (bottom photo) that Hank features on his website. Don't the contrasting colors just melt your heart?

Put a Cork Lamp in It!

Chuck a deuce at our newest lamp -- it JUST DOES NOT GET COOLER, children.
Nice and tall, too, at about 45" high, give or take an inch. There's wood around the top and the base, and the original vintage shade with its nubby vanilla fabric packs a wallop. Both the shade and lamp are in fantastic condition. Our midcentury cork lamp, which will be in the shop starting Sept. 27, costs $150.

Make a Midcentury Fashion Statement

If only I'd thought to carry this sexy little leopard-print bag during my photo shoot for Banana Republic's "Mad Men" photo contest -- it's so Joan! And imagine Betty with the bejeweled bucket bag, lunching poolside at the country club. $28 each.