A seller out in Chesapeake posted a couple of great mid-century must-haves on Craigslist this weekend.

These space-age pod chairs with a Aero Saarinen Tulip base would be a fabulous addition to any mid-century pad! It’s not often you find a pair of mid-century chairs, (trust me, my house is a haven for mate-less mid-century seating!) especially not in this great condition.

Here’s what the seller had to say:

A pair of true retro!!! These are vinyl swivel pod chairs and are in amazing vintage condition. Only one has a few cigarette burns/small tears on the seat cushion- I photographed a sample the best I could. I don’t feel like dealing with shipping on ebay, so I thought I would try (sort of) locally first. I am told pairs are hard to come by. These are very comfortable and are approx. 27 tall x 25 deep x 29 wide. I plan on going to Richmond in the near future and could possibly deliver for a small fee–not knowing how close your are to where I plan on going….Please feel free to email or call for more info or photos. 757-651-9925. The price of 450.00 is for the pair OBO

The seller also has this beautiful Danish modern sofa and side chair up for grabs.

I love the lines of this couch and the color would go with anything! Here’s what the seller had to say about this pair:

This sofa and matching arm chair are very mid century modern Eames era -not sure of designer, but they have a Jens Risom or Wegner look- they are unsigned. They are in amazing vintage condition-my guess is these have been recovered. I believe these are from the late 1950’s - to 1960’s but I am not sure. They make such a statement with the arms bending out- Such lines!! -You need to see in person- the photos don’t do them justice. The sofa is approx. 105″ x 30″ h x 31″ d The chair is approx. 36″ w x 38″ h x 31″ d Please email or call with questions 757-651-9925. We can deliver for a fee depending on where you are.

The neon is gone, but the lights are still on at the Hull Street 1 Hour Cleaners.

Located across the street from the Lighthouse Diner in Richmond’s Manchester District, this faded orange-and-white sign serves as a reminder of the area’s heyday.

The Manchester area of Hull Street saw a surge in development between 1880 and 1949. With that development came some great examples of modern design in Richmond. Today, many of the area storefronts remain vacant.

Fortunately, with the influx of art galleries moving into the community, there’s a slow but steady revitalization of this once-flourishing area. Maybe one day great signs like this will get the proper restoration and care they deserve.

The gorgeous set popped up on Craigslist this afternoon.

Here’s what the owner had to say:

Vintage Drexel Buffet and two end tables. Probably date to late 50s early 60s. Excellent condition with only minor blemishes/scratching. Call Justin 804-513-8017. $2500 (Serious Inquires only please)

The North Carolina-based Drexel Company, now known as Drexel Heritage, has been making quality furniture for more than 100 years. It was the first furniture company to ever advertise in national magazines. All that advertising must have paid off because today the company is one of the largest residential furniture companies in the US.

The company’s mid-century pieces bring a pretty penny and this set up for grabs is no exception. But it’s a small price to pay for a timeless piece made with a quality that’s been keeping customers satisfied for more than a century.

Last week, I received a message from Retro Richmond reader Dino:

… wanted to pass along an interesting sign in Richmond. There’s a pool hall/restaurant called the Triple which is across from channel 6 on broad street.

been there since about the 60’s i think. very cool sign.

So Dino, this one’s for you!

Located at 3306 W. Broad St., The Triple is not your average local pool hall. In addition to your standard billiards, The Triple — previously known as The Triple Triangle until renovations took place a few years ago — also showcases art and music by local artists.

I haven’t been able to find any info about when this sign was erected, so if anyone knows for sure, please let me know. But judging by the design and construction of the sign, I think the 1960s is probably pretty accurate.

Is there a mid-century sign or building you’d like to see featured on this site? Send your suggestions to me at olivia@retrorichmond.com.

Also on an exciting note, Retro Richmond was mentioned on Retro Renovation! If you haven’t visited Pam’s fabulous site, take a moment to do so. Tons of great stuff on there!

I haven’t been able to find out much about this rounded-corner restaurant located at 3316 Jeff Davis Highway, but it’s still worth sharing!

Though the color combination is questionable, I love the sleek curves of this building and its use of block glass windows, which were in vogue in the 1950s and 1960s. It looks like this building could have been a diner or maybe a car dealership.

You can see where a couple of windows have been boarded up/sealed over. I wonder if there is more of that beautiful block glass under there?

If anyone knows the original use of this fabulous building, please let me know!

If you are renovating your home or office and looking for some truly unique lights, these fantastic Lightolier lights might be for you!

A listing popped up for 24 of these gems on Craigslist. Here’s what the owner had to say:

I have 24 (really 27, but I am missing 3 glass inserts) unique lights from the 1950’s. These just came out of an old bowling alley in Norfolk that was built in 1958. These are recessed lights and are sold as is. I strongly recommend rewiring for safety. As you can image, the condition varies on each light–all in all they are dirty, but in great vintage condition. I cleaned one and photographed it so you could see the potential. I think they would look amazing with colored lights!!!

They are approx. 24 x 24 and the recessed part is about 6′ tall- hard to get an exact measurement. The ‘tub’ is metal, the ’star’ is plastic, and the center ’star’ is glass.

Great for your atomic retro home, office, or business–Pretty sure they don’t make these any more.
I am asking $40.00-50.00 per light-depending on condition- you can take one or all. I know it is a drive to Chesapeake, so please feel free to call or email 757-651-9925 Thanks, Meg

It’s not very often that you find a whole cache of vintage lighting, so if you need a bunch of it (even if you have to drive an hour to Chesapeake), you better act fast!

Lightolier has been producing high-quality lights since 1904 and continues to do so today. Many of their older designs can be found in the Museum of Modern Art. So you’re not just buying a light, you’re buying a piece of art. The company’s mid-century lines are highly collectible.

These pieces are a great example of the quality and style expected of this century-old company and would add mid-century character and charm to any home or office. Besides, where are you going to find lights this cool for $40?

My love for the mid-century runs deep. It’s more than “Ooh, look at that neat building” or “Wow, that’s a cool antique;” it’s my life. I constantly surround myself with it. I wear vintage cat-eye glasses (complete with rhinestones, which I call my “old lady bling”), I listen to old 45s, I eat off of vintage plates, I cook in vintage Pyrex. My lamps are older than me as is most of my furniture.

Anyone who knows me knows I’ve been searching for a mid-century sofa for a while. It is the last major piece I need to complete my total mid-century living room transformation. Unfortunately, I’m not at a point in my life where I can spend $3,000 on a Herman Miller sofa, so it also has to be in my price range.

In my quest to find the perfect couch, I’ve become a regular at a few thrift stores around town. The owners know what I’m looking for and they keep an eye out for me.

Yesterday must have been my lucky day. Around lunchtime I received a call from one of the thrift store owners letting me know that they just took in a mid-century sofa. So I dropped everything and headed up their way (hence why there was no blog post yesterday). When I got there, this beauty was waiting for me outside:

While it’s not a $3,000 Herman Miller, I love the lines of this couch. It’s about 7 feet long, has a full padded back with low arms and a tapered leg capped in brass. It will go great with my Lane Acclaim swivel coffee table (which i recently picked up from Whispers of Time for $45)!

While I like the brown tweedy upholstery, I’m pretty sure it’s not original. But toss on a few barkcloth throw pillows and no one will notice! One day when I have the time and the patience, I will reupholster it (along with all my other chairs).

But perhaps the best part about this couch is the price. $95!!! With my current contemporary couch teetering on its last leg, this mid-century marvel is a needed and welcomed new edition to the family!

Now I direct my search efforts toward a mid-century sideboard/credenza and some bullet planters. If you know where I can find some, let me know!

Built in 1935, the Lighthouse Diner was the front runner of modern design in the Manchester area. With its flat asphalt roof and aluminum marquee, the quaint diner — located at the corner of Hull and 13th streets — once was the place to go to grab a hamburger and a beer for about a $1.

Last year, CBS 6 did an uplifting story about the new owners’ plans to restore and reopen the diner in an effort to help the revitalization of the area. The newly renovated Lighthouse Diner — complete with rooftop seating — was slated to open Spring 2008.

As we make our way into Summer 2008, the diner doesn’t look much different. Dusty straw and napkin holders still sit on a dirty bar. The red-and-green flowered wallpaper still is peeling off the walls. Ovens wait to be turned on; coffee pots wait to be filled.

A “For Lease” sign now sits in the window, shattering hopes of enjoying greasy diner food and rooftop dining in the near future. On a positive note, the space currently is being used by Vacant Spaces, Artful Places, an art initiative that displays the work of local artists in vacant storefronts around the city.

(I apologize for the blurry photos. I had to shoot them through the window without a flash.)

Fortunately, the diner is included on the National Register of Historical Places so it won’t be turned into a Walgreens anytime soon. Still, it would be nice to see the lights back on in the Lighthouse one day.

I know I’d be willing to roll up my sleeves and put a little elbow grease into fixing this place up. It would be great if the whole community got involved to help restore a little piece of Richmond’s history.

It started with a passing look.

He wasn’t much on the eyes at first glance, but his sign drew me in. The sleek curves. The cosmic design. The retro blue, red and yellow color scheme. I knew I had to come back for more.

During our second meeting, we got to know each other a little more. Upon closer inspection, I could tell I liked his style. He knew how to mix brick and concrete like the best of them. His decorative concrete block wall was beautiful, yet coy — giving a limited view to his doorway.

His diamond wall detailing was both unexpected and striking. A lovely mid-century touch you don’t see anymore.

But it wasn’t until I learned what was on the inside that I truly fell in love. Peering through the glass windows into the restaurant, I was greeted by glossy black linoleum flooring, a row of blue vinyl booths, and three, yes three, brass Sputnik hanging lamps (a perfect lighting choice for this cosmic gem).

His gorgeous diamond wall pattern was carried into the restaurant, seeking refuge behind the bar. The rest rooms were clearly defined by an old red-and-white light-up sign. Yes, I knew in an instant it was love.

Unfortunately our short-lived romance was never meant to be, for I had other beautiful buildings to photograph and he had patrons to serve. But I will never forget him and next time I’m at 4000 Jefferson Davis Highway perhaps our paths will cross once more.

Sometimes the old adage, “the early bird catches the worm,” can be true … especially if that worm happens to be cheap mid-century treasures at your neighborhood yard sale.

Aside from thrift stores, yard sales are my favorite places to find trinkets from the past. There’s just something about hunting for a bargain that makes me get out of bed early on a Saturday morning!

There are many people who think yard sales are wastelands for old clothing and toys. While that may be 90 percent true, there’s still a chance you could score something really special — if you’re willing to hunt for it.

Some things to keep in mind when hitting a yard sale:
1. Plan ahead. Check Craigslist and the morning paper for yard sale locations.
2. Bring cash. They don’t take plastic.
3. Get there early. If a sale starts at 8 a.m., the hardcore yard-salers will be there at 7 a.m. While I, personally, think this is rude (and don’t recommend it), it is a good idea to get there around the actual starting time. If you wait too long, you could miss a bargain!
4. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find anything. There’s always next weekend.

Here are some of the gems I found at a couple of yard sales a few weeks ago:

A 1950s United electric sunburst clock for $1

A metal bullet desk lamp for $3

Four aluminum tumblers for $0.50

A 1961 Admiral Y-2998 “Avalon” radio for $5

So for less than $10, I scored some pretty neat stuff! If you’ve found some mid-century treasures at a yard sale, send your photos to olivia@retrorichmond.com and I’ll feature them on the site.