Our encounters, though brief, were always during the day. Yet every time we passed I couldn’t help but wonder whether there was life in those old neon tubes. Last night, I found the answer to my question…

YES! There is indeed plenty of vibrancy in those swirling tubes! On this particular visit, I was fortunate to have photographer Jamie Betts in tow. We came back after the sun went down and captured this out-of-this-world sign in all its neon glory.

If you’re interested in a print of one of these amazing photos, contact Jamie. Tell him the Olivia at Retro Richmond sent you. I know I’ve already picked out the perfect place for my print!

Aside from paving the way in satellite technology, the Sputnik-1 also became a design inspiration. It’s polished aluminum-magnesium-titanium covered orb and four long, jutting, whip-like antennas became the foundation of the lighting trend now known as the Sputnik lamp.

Sputnik lamps come in a variety of shapes and sizes and usually have anywhere between eight to 24 arms stemming from its center orb. Some have half-chrome cylindrical light bulbs, others have glass star light bulbs. No matter what the configuration of the lamp, a Sputnik is hard to miss.

Recently,  a good friend of mine sent me photos of her recently acquired Sputnik lamp. It was found in her grandfather’s garage and is unlike any Sputnik I have ever seen.

At the end of each arm is a colorful gem that almost looks like rock candy. It truly is a sight to behold. It was shipped in pieces and then carefully reconstructed.

I love the way the light is placed close to the center so you can still see the bulbs, and the colors are out of this world! I would love to see it in all its rainbow glory with the lights out. I bet it’s an amazing ocular show!

Nonetheless, once the weather returns to the double digits, my trusty camera and I will make our way around this fair city to get some new shots of old things. Keep checking back! I’ve got a list of amazing places to photograph for you.

On a more selfish note…

My love for mid-century modern extends much further than this blog. It is my life. My house is a time capsule. My dishes are 40 years old. I listen to vinyl on the Silvertone. And my favorite clothing store is Halcyon Vintage.

Recently, it was brought to my attention that my favorite TV show, “Mad Men,” was holding a casting call for a walk-on role on the show. After the urging of many friends, I decided to throw my hat in the ring. In order to be considered to be part of the show, I have receive enough votes to be in the top 10 women.

Here’s where the shameless promotion comes in….I am asking everyone and their grandfather to vote for me and help spread the word. I promise if I get in I won’t let Richmond down!

You don’t have to sign up for anything to vote. Just simply click this link.

Here’s my photo of me lounging on my MCM couch! And thanks in advance!

Personally, i think the gem of this auction is the Rock-Ola 1426 Magic Glow jukebox fully loaded with 100 original Elvis records. Making its way onto the scene just after World War II, the Magic Glow 1426 was one of Rock-Ola’s answers to Wurlitzer’s model 1015 jukebox, which may be the most popular jukebox of all time.

Talk about a beautiful piece! I’ve never seen one nicer.

If anyone is still looking for a belated Christmas gift for me, this Rock-Ola 1426 will be perfect! What a gem!

Aside from a nice Coca-Cola vending machine and sign collection dating back to the 1920s, I’d have to say the other token piece of this auction is the vast collection of metal and porcelain signs - particularly those with Richmond connections. I’m a sucker for old advertising signs and Tilman’s got a great collection of them up for grabs. Here are a few of my favorites:

You can check out the rest of the photos from this fabulous auction here. If you go and happen to snatch up a treasure, send me a photo and I’ll feature you on my site. If anyone picks up that jukebox for me, I’ll let you know where you can deliver it!

After seeing a wonderful piece of mid-century architecture here in Richmond suffer the wrath of the wrecking ball (The Inns of Virginia, post and photos to follow), I’ve decided that one of my New Year’s resolutions is to revive this site so we can all enjoy other MC marvels while they’re still around. Time is so precious - whether you’re human or a gorgeous building.

So with that, I’m going to jump start with an e-mail I recently received from Kyle Kranzo, who is selling a whole set of almond-colored MC appliances. Jump on them before they’re gone!

I am selling a whole set of original almond-colored Mid-Century (Circa 1959) appliances. The set includes an amazing Frigidaire Refrigerator, a double General Electric wall oven, and a General Electric built-in range. They are all in GREAT working condition(we use them all currently). I recently moved into this mid-century home and it has a full St. Charles Mid-Century kitchen… including these great appliances.

The refrigerator has a great fold-down compartment inside, plenty of storage, a butter warmer, and tons of other unique items. The handle and accents on the refrigerator are also great! I have never seen anything like them. The freezer is also really neat. You have to press down on the foot pedal near the floor and it just pops it open. Very unique.

The Oven unit (both ovens) work great. It also has a neat meat thermometer that plugs into the inside of the oven and sticks into the meat you are cooking. It then shows you the temperature of the meat on the outside of the oven.

The range works great as well. It has many different settings. The very back left burner does not work…but I am imagining it is just a simple fix. I don’t cook enough for it to bother me.

All appliances include the original Owners Manuals (pictured below).

The Frigidaire refrigerator is from 1960
The General Electric double wall oven is from 1959
The General Electric Built-In Range is from 1959

Please make me an offer on either each item separately or as a complete set. I am aware of the great condition and going prices of these appliances, so please… only reasonable offers will be considered. I would love for these to go to a lover of mid-century design who will appreciate them as much as I do.

Please email me if you would like to see more photos, have any questions, etc. I would also be willing to ship these items if the buyer was willing to pay for shipping.

Thanks.

Don’t call the doctor. That burning sensation you’re feeling can only mean one thing — it’s time for the 13th annual Hamaganza. Yes, the time of year is upon us, when we come together as a community and kiss our morals goodbye.

Trannies, debauchery, burlesque dancing, fire juggling, Scientologist children, local celebs, Stonehenge, hams, rock ‘n’ roll and, of course, everyone’s favorite 450-pound cross dresser, Dirt Woman! What more could you ask for? Donate all the proceeds to a local charity? You got it!

It’s the train wreck you can’t help but watch, but it’s for a good cause. We’re raising money and hams for the Central Virginia Food Bank. Hams for the hamless, folks!

Don’t miss the rock holiday show everyone will be talking about! TWO NIGHTS ONLY! Dec. 12 and 13. Show starts at 9 p.m. Get there early if you want to get seats.

Admission is $10 or a ham (We prefer the ham - no SPAM please!)

THIS Friday, Dec. 12 Poe’s Pub
2706 E. Main St.

Saturday, Dec. 13 Capital Ale House
623 E. Main St.

I recently received an e-mail from David Ramert, owner of Metro Modern, a fabulous store specializing in mid-century modern furniture, lighting and accessories located at 1919 W. Cary St., telling me about his wonderful collection of metal wall sculptures.

Here’s what he had to say:

METAL WALL SCULPTURES ADD DEPTH, INTEREST AND TEXTURE TO A ROOM’S DESIGN. MANY OF THE SCULPTURES CURRENTLY HANGING ON THE WALLS AT METRO MODERN ARE SIGNED CURTIS JERE PIECES AND DATE FROM 1960S TO 1980S. STOP BY, TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AND FEEL THE GLAM!

I LOVE metal wall art. It adds 3-dimensional pizazz to any boring wall and I think it’s far more intriguing than a framed painting. I’m a firm believer that metal wall art is a must-have for any MCM enthusiast. I have a few pieces myself (and just picked up a small one last weekend at a thrift store for $2).

The big name in mid-century metal wall sculptures is Curtis Jere (who signed his work C. Jere). Jere was a well-known Californian metal sculptor in the 1960s and 1970s. He worked with steel, brass, bronze and other mixed-media. Many of his signed pieces go for a pretty penny in antique stores and auction houses worldwide.

C. Jere’s “Forest” sculpture is one of the more recognizable pieces - and just so happens to be available for sale at Metro Modern!

Here’s some info on the piece.

His “Tree of Life” piece also is quite recognizable:

Here’s another great C. Jere piece at Metro Modern:

And some info for potential buyers!

Take a look at some of the other gorgeous pieces the store has on display:

Here’s a great lighted sculpture:

This is my personal favorite:

Stop by Metro Modern and tell them Olivia from Retro Richmond sent you! If you have a mid-century wall sculpture in your possession, send me a photo! I would love to see it! E-mail me at olivia@retrorichmond.com.

It looks like the storm will be past us by this evening, so we should be all right for tonight’s MCMeetup at Plaza Bowl (assuming it didn’t lose power or anything). Still, I’d like to hear from those who has planned to attend. Should we keep with tonight or reschedule it for next weekend?

Thoughts?

It’s that time again, folks! It’s time for all the Retro Richmond readers to get together and talk about all the mid-century places we love in this great city! This time we’ll be conversing while throwing strikes at Plaza Bowl!

For those who don’t know, Plaza Bowl is a duckpin bowling alley and is the only one of its kind in the area. The balls are smaller, the pins are smaller, and it costs less than regular bowling. Duckpin bowling gained popularity in the 1930s, and the interior of Plaza Bowl doesn’t look like it’s stepped a day out of the 1950s.

We will be meeting, this Saturday, Sept. 6, at 8 p.m. at Plaza Bowl. (Directions)

I had the pleasure of meeting Retro Richmond reader David last weekend, and he has assured me that he and his wife will be there AND he’s bringing some goodies for show-and-tell! I’m especially excited about that!

So come out, throw a few gutterballs and let’s talk about mid-century modernism! You never know what other fun things we might uncover! During our last MCMeetup, we got an impromptu special tour of the old Bellevue Theater (which was also featured on North Richmond News. Very exciting!).

If you would like more information about the MCMeetup or have any questions, shoot me an e-mail at olivia@retrorichmond.com.

Hope to see everyone there!

So without further ado…check out this fabulous coffee table and side table set that popped up on Craigslist!

If you’ve seen my house, then you know of my love of the tapered leg. I can’t get enough! Unfortunately, I don’t need more tables. So if you’re looking for a great set, grab this one!

Here’s what the seller had to say about it:
Retro style, but yet still classic coffee table with matching end table set. From probably the 70’s this set is in excellent condition and has been in our family since (maybe even before then!)and is need of a good home, because the owner had to move in with family and has no room for them. Feel free to come take a look! Tables are in Mechanicsville Area. A must see!