Random Cool Eames Pics

My fiance found these Eames pics this evening, and they make me so happy, I wanted to share:
Oh how I love this picture of Charles Eames and Aero Saarinen. Found at Lacour.net. "The details are not details. They make the product." - Charles Eames.
It doesn't get much cuter than a Pug puppy. Unless it's a Pug puppy hanging out in a miniature Eames lounge chair. Found at Annie Ok (a beautiful site!).

Mies van der Rohe Chicago Co-op Condos

Looking for a fabulous mid-century condo in Chicago? Not one, but two condos are available in the Mies van der Rohe co-op building right on the lake. I happened upon these on www.HistoricHomes.com, but I've provided direct links to the listing realtor's web pages below so you can enjoy slide shows of these incredible condos. The larger 1600 sf unit has crazy high monthly association fees and taxes, but the smaller 500 sf unit is affordable!
Yours for $425,500. Listing details here: Unit 20L. Wrap around city and lake views.
Fantastic light in this space (20L). The current owner has furnished it perfectly.
Ground floor of the co-op building. Do I spy Barcelona Chairs? They are everywhere, taunting me.
Unit 1614 has completely unobstructed lake views, original kitchen cabinets, countertops, bathroom, ceiling fixtures and closets, in amazing condition. Can you believe this unit is only $245,000, with cheap monthly association fees and taxes?
Another 1st floor view. I love this building. Gray + Glass + Lake = one happy girl.

Lovely homes at HistoricProperties.com

Thanks to my pal K at Blog Goggles for reminding about the website HistoricProperties.com. I used to visit this site weekly, and lose hours at a time dreaming about lovely homes in lovely towns and cities across the country. The site features homes, condos, and commercial buildings of every vernacular (everything from Mid-century Modern to Victorian, Craftsman, Low-Country, Log Cabins, etc). From tiny dilapidated fixers to pristine mansions, it's here. I'm sure you'll be seeing many a future post inspired by the Historic Properties Website.
This exquisite example of Florida Arts and Crafts architecture in the too-charming Mount Dora, Florida is currently being used as a B & B. Yours for the low,low price of only $850,000.
I love this home in Florissant, Colorado, yours for $299,000. It looks like it's straight out of an Edward Hopper painting. Oh, and (not shown in this pic) it has stunning mountain views.
My girl at Blythe Hope's Vintage just brought octagonal homes to my attention yesterday. Now I'm completely fascinated. This little beauty in Aurora, Illinois can be yours for $110,000, but even better is eligible for over $40,000 in restoration grants and tax incentives. If I lived anywhere close to Aurora, I'd be all about restoring this gem.
Ordinarily I'm not that fond of seeing this much roof. However, the exception is a low-country farmhouse. The picket fence puts this one in Bartow, Georgia over the top. $124,500.
Wow! This mill-turned-home doesn't even look real. Happily nestled at the edge of the Raritan River, it's interior has been renovated/restored but is still completely rustic - wood beams everywhere. For some reason I want to see this house filled with Eames furniture. $900,000.

Artist Tom Deininger

Painter Tom Deininger's work is amazing. His subject matter is incredibly diverse. Some of it is disturbing (none of those works are pictured here), some so beautiful you just can't look away. You can find his work on Etsy or at tomdeininger.com. All of his works on Etsy are priced incredibly reasonably too, only $100-$125 a painting.

I've been tagged!

I have been tagged twice in the past week, by my pals Biba at inspiration bubble (whose blog is total eye candy for modern design lovers) and Blythe Hopes Vintage (beloved vintage fashion diva). Thanks Ladies! I don't usually talk about myself much on my blog. Although, there was that Valentine’s Day post but I’m blaming the wine for that one!

Rules: Write 6 random things about myself, link to the person(s) who tagged you, post the rules. Tag six people and link to them. Let them know they have been tagged. Ok, here goes:

1. I renovate houses. Working with my hands is in my blood. My grandfather built beautiful mid-century furniture (I’m lucky enough to have several of his pieces) and my father is also an amazing carpenter.
2. I get squirrelly if I don’t see water for a few days. My father built sailboats while I was growing up, so I spent a lot of time on or near the water. I could never live in a landlocked city. There must be a big river, lake, or ocean that I can drive to within 15 minutes. Water is life - I find it very soothing
3. I have two dogs: Molly and Dodge. They are both mutts, and were rescue dogs. I adopted both of them 3 years ago. Molly’s nickname is “Velcro-Doggie” because although her favorite thing to do is run through the woods when we hike, 97% of the time she really just wants to lay right at our feet and gaze at us in a kind of stalker-ish way (see pic above). Dodge still acts like a puppy, and though not the brightest in the bunch, he is the sweetest and most loyal boy ever. He's also a handsome devil and gets a lot of attention for it.
4. I speak of “us” because I’m getting married this summer to a guy I’ve been dating for many years. We run our renovation business together. He’s ruggedly good looking, he always thinks he’s right about everything just like I do, and he’s good for me in so many ways. He's a very private person and won't let me post a pic. Sorry ladies, I can't share the eye candy.
5. I want to live in a tiny town in northern or central Florida. I’m torn between the mountains that I love so much and the charming laid back lifestyle of small-town Florida. The hundred year old tin-roofed “cracker” houses nestled amongst Spanish-moss draped live oaks and palmettos have my heart. There is water everywhere: hundreds of natural springs, rivers, the Gulf of Mexico AND the Atlantic Ocean. I’m feeling serene jut thinking about it (refer back to #2).

6. Please don't shun me now, but I like sci-fi. Ok, but in my defense, only really well-written high budget sci-fi such as Battlestar Galactica, Lost, and the movie Event Horizon. Although, I still have to love some old school Star Trek. Who doesn't like cheesy Shatner, hot green women, and tribbles?

Ok, your turn! Tag, you’re it!:

yummychummy

Blog Goggles

Jolly Polly Pickins

Sara Says Awesome

Books by Rachel

Bitching in the Kitchen

Etsy Finds: Modern Furniture & Accessories

Mid-century cotton drapes from Catnapcottage. Sienna, green, and yellow pattern of birds, trees, flowers, and (get this) windmills. I'd like to design a space around these 5 items. I actually found the drapes last, which pulled the look together.
Set of 3 Teak Oblong Danish Modern Nesting Bowls from Vindeelyndee.
Vintage Herman Miller Eames Armshell Chair from Amsuarezfl. My fiance's desk chair is just like this one. I'd love to have a pair of them someday.
Table Number Six (made from reclaimed materials) by Juniorallenandco. I like to call this look rustic industrial.
Know Your Corbusier Mid-Century Modern Flash Cards (Beginner) by Belleslettres. Intermediate also available, and advance level coming soon.

Etsy Finds: Blueberries

I'm feeling particularly tired this morning, and procrastinating working on an estimate for a job. However, I ate blueberries on my Cheerios this morning, and I fully expect those antioxidents to kick in and clear my fuzzy head any time now. I need to post to wake the writing part of my brain, so enjoy these Etsy blueberry finds. Here is a bowl of blueberries to start your day, from Kotibethphotography.
These Lakeshore at Dusk Enamel Earrings by Huffalo areinspired by nature.
Handpainted Roving Soft Wool Blend Colorway, Maine Blueberries by Mainewoodsyarn. Sigh, I wish I could knit.
Assorted Butterball Cookies. Sugared shortbread sandwich cookies. Assortment icludes three varities, including triple-berry (made with homemade blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry jam. From FortuneCookieCafe. I wish I had one of these for breakfast.
Blueberry Patch Moisturizing Soap from DressGreen. Yummy.

Retro Recipe of the Week: Party Chicken Salad

If you are a woman raised in the Southeastern United States, you’ve consumed a lot of chicken salad. It’s divine. It’s the food that if absent at a ladies luncheon, bridal, or baby shower, one leaves feeling somewhat unsatisfied. I have my own chicken salad recipe which includes tarragon (thanks to my Aunt Maggie for introducing me to this lovely herb), lots and lots of black pepper, walnuts, celery, mayo, and sometimes grapes. But it’s not retro, and so I picked the following chicken salad recipe because it is supremely 60’s, the decade of hard-boiled eggs in everything. Plus, it’s got a fab daisy garnish. Pair with a hot cup of tea, or pretend you're a southern belle and serve with a tall glass of iced mint tea.
From 1963's Better Homes and Gardens Lunches and Brunches, available in my Etsy shop.

Party Chicken Salad

2 cups coarsely diced cooked chicken salad
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup seedless white grapes
2 hard-cooked eggs, chilled and chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup halved or slivered blanched almonds, toasted

Sprinkle chicken with lemon juice and salt; chill several hours. Add celery, grapes, chopped eggs, mayonnaise, and almonds; toss lightly. Season salad with salt to taste. Serve in lettuce-lined bowl. Serves 4 to 5.

Daisy trim: Quarter 2 hard-cooked eggs lengthwise. Remove yolks; sieve. Arrange whites for petals; center with yolks.

Honey, how was your day?

How did you spend your Valentine's Day? My pal Lisa at Bitching in the Kitchen plans on making "Misty Bitch" cocktails tonight, a recipe I simply must try. It's pink, so you know it's good. I spent the first half of my day recovering from my night of too many pints, celebrating a pal's birthday. My sweetie cooked a yummy breakfast for me, and about 3 hours later I was finally ready to get my day started. We headed to a disappointing estate sale, to the green grocer for fancy cheese (because you know I like cheese) and flowers. A few hours ago we set the iPod's Pandora application to the Esqivel playlist, which we discovered is the perfect music to bring out your inner 50's housewife. Even my sweetie was tempted to don an apron whilst vacuuming.

Now we're hanging out in our nice clean kitchen/dining room. Ok, so this isn't the best pic, but I just had to show off my pretty V-day flowers. We are about to begin our dinner of grilled chicken sausages and veggies (insert phallic joke here), and we're listening to Pandora's Buddy Holly playlist. If you have an iPod touch or an iPhone, you must download the Pandora ap. It's incredible! You can also use the Pandora site to stream music through your computer.

Later my sweetie and I will watch the episode of Battlestar Galactica that we tivo'd last night. This, by the way, is one of the best shows ever made. Think you don't like sci-fi? Rent the first season of Battlestar on DVD and then tell me you still don't. Ok, must go grab another glass of Papio Cab Sauvignon, it's my "hair of the dog" beverage for the evening. I'm a sucker for any wine with a monkey on the label. I also set out that cheese. "Beecher's Marco Polo" (an herbed cow's milk cheese) and Vintage Irish Cheddar (soft, mild, and buttery). Both very good!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Mother Nature gave me this lovely Valentine's gift today - my daffodils are already blooming! We have had an almost unreal week of temperatures in the 60's and 70's F, and the poor plants are so confused. My big King Maple already has its pretty little red leaves.

Piece of Cheese Cottage

While I was googling myself (don't laugh at my vanity/insecurity issues - you know you do it too), I happened upon this simply charming rental cottage in Hastings, East Sussex. Are any of my friends across the pond familiar with this historic gem? Believed to be the second-smallest cottage in the UK, and the only three sided one. As if it weren't charming enough, you can even bring your dog! I want to live here. Pics and info courtesy the Piece of Cheese Cottage Website.

The kitchen is a bit like a that of a motor coach, so I would recommend just walking to the pub for a pint and some good pub grub.
I would like to be drinking tea in this wee courtyard garden right now.
With views of the sea and a short walk to the beach, who wouldn't want to stay here ? Ok, now where is that check from the Sussex tourism board?

Retro Recipe of the Week: Whoopie Pies from Maine

What better recipe for Valentine's Day than Whoopie Pies? I live in the southeastern US, and had never even heard of a Whoopie Pie until last year. How had I lived my life up to that point without them? This very sweet treat is traditional to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country as well as New England (though each region staunchly suggests that that its' version is the true recipe and the other's is rubbish). It is a Whoopie Pie rivalry if you will. I am so envious that in these regions you can find individual wax-paper wrapped Whoopie Pies for sale at the counter of many restaurants, markets, and farmer's markets. This traditional chocolate Whoopie Pie with marshmallow cream filling recipe comes from a pal of mine in Maine, who has been baking these for years. If anyone in Pennsylvania Dutch country would like to send me your recipe, I'll be happy to post it as well.

If you'd rather purchase your Whoopie Pies from a baker, check out Etsy's selection of flavors, such as the mint-cream version pictured below by kitchenwitchcookie. The first Whoopie Pie I ever tasted came from BrokenRoadFarm, and it was heavenly! I'm not sure if she's still listing her WP's, but if you tell her that I sent you maybe she'll bake up a special batch. Be sure to check out her other goodies, they're not only tasty but beautiful!

Whoopie Pies

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup cocoa
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk

Filling
1 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 cups Marshmallow Fluff (aka marshmallow crème)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets. (I use parchment paper instead)

In a large bowl, cream together shortening, sugar, and egg. In another bowl, combine cocoa, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a small bowl, stir the vanilla extract into the milk. Add the dry ingredients to the shortening mixture, alternating with the milk mixture; beating until smooth.
Drop batter by the 1/4 cup (to make 18 cakes) onto prepared baking sheets. With the back of a spoon spread batter into 4-inch circles, leaving approximately 2 inches between each cake. Bake 15 minutes or until they are firm to the touch. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Make the Filling. In a medium bow, beat together shortening, sugar, and Marshmallow fluff; stir in vanilla extract until well blended.

When the cakes are completely cool, spread the flat side (bottom) of one chocolate cake with a generous amount of filling. Top with another cake, pressing down gently to distribute the filling evenly. Repeat with all cookies to make 9 pies. Wrap whoopie pies individually in plastic wrap, or place them in a single layer on a platter (do not stack them, they will stick!!).

To freeze, wrap each whoopie pie in plastic wrap. Loosely pack them in a plastic freezer container and cover. To serve, defrost the wrapped whoopie pies in the refrigerator. Makes 9 large whoopie pies.

Discover MODish.net

MODish is total eye candy.  I've discovered no fewer than 263 mid-century dinnerware patterns I'd never seen before finding this website.  Just take a look and try not to drool...

Etsy Vintage Cheese Finds

Because I have a fondness for cottages and cheese (just slightly obvious by my page name), here are some cheese-y vintage Etsy finds for your cottage kitchen.  All of these little gems are so well-priced too!

The most fabulous fondue pot I've ever seen.  Ok, maybe it ties with Cathrineholm, but this one is priced ridiculously well at $28.  From Plaidponyvintage.
45 Vintage Cheese Labels for only $7 from Inkpainter.  Ok, you can't buy these because I just bought them.  Sorry to rub it in.  
Great 60's birdie cheese cutting board.  Even comes with it's own little knife that stays attached via magnet and the whole kit & caboodle hangs on your wall.  $10 for a Cheese board + kitchen art = stylish value!  From Hopgrasser.
Do I have to explain my love for this one?  $12 From ThisOldeStuff.
Fire King Cottage Cheese Bowl.  Can you believe that cottage cheese used to come in these adorable bowls?  I want a whole set of these. $12.50 from Lulubliss.