This radio’s got me destroying Shakespeare and questioning what might have been…

It seems these days I find myself becoming completely enamored with one vintage artifact at a time. This obsession is typically sparked by a random trip to the flea market or an online search where I come across something so lovely, so enticing, so well preserved and so damn nice to look at that I am amazed I haven’t spent my whole life searching it. Don’t get me wrong, I try to be as pragmatic a thrifter as possible, usually searching for all things I really need for my home - a set of mixing bowls, a clothing hamper, crates to hold records, etc. But lately, I find my search significantly narrowed based on the item I happen to be coveting at that point in time. And no, that’s not necessarily good news for my bank account. These items tend to be a more rare and more expensive than other antiques, which could not be more true for my current obsession - the Crosley Bakelite Dashboard Tube Radio. If you haven’t had a good chance to feast your eyes on the above photo, I suggest you do it now. Take as long as you need. You won’t be sorry.

Mmmm. Shiny. In all its mid-century glory.

I have pined for this radio since our eyes/dials first met whilst scouring eBay for a tube radio to put in my kitchen. I kid you not that my heart nearly skipped a beat. Did my heart love till now? Forswear it site! For I ne’er saw true bakelite till this night…

I have spent the past few weeks researching these radios that intrigue me so. Unfortunately, I have found only a few facts. The above model, likely named the “Coloradio,” began to appear in the early 1950s, was designed after car dashboard features (the very essence of its appeal if you ask me), and was sold in numerous colors. I also came across this very interesting tidbit of information: Powel Crosley’s development of the first car radio (1920s), which made radio technology portable, was thanks to his sister. She once shared with him that when on dates, she wished for the help of her favorite radio programs to get through those pesky awkward silences between her and her date. Soon after, Crosley invented the Roamio car radio, the first of many portable radio models to follow [via].

Wow. Just think how of different portable radio technology might have been if good ol’ Thelma Crosley wasn’t such an awkward date. Can you imagine what 1980’s street culture or John Cusack’s movie career would have been without the boombox!? Yikes.

Vintage Find of the Day: Vintage sewing box

I got to run around on Saturday with the lovely Brittany Miller at Suzanna’s Antiques, a.k.a. the best hidden gem vintage market in Raleigh. Holy crap that place just keeps getting better and better (and bigger and bigger) every time I go. This perfect little sewing kit was one of the first items I stumbled upon and be still my heart it still has 14 beautiful spools of antique thread and a needle tomato! It comes equipped with a tiny key, a trap door and tons of straps and pockets for all my sewing tools. My quilting supplies are already nestled happily inside. Watch out everyone, I have become a full-fledged grandma yo-yo quilter!

****INSIDER TIP FOR ALL MY RALEIGH FLEA MARKET PEOPLE: Do you miss the flea market as much as I do? Word on the streets is that Antiques at Gresham Lake has opened up their parking lot to all Raleigh flea market vendors interested in selling while the state fair is hogging the fair grounds. Well, I was there on Saturday and I saw it with my own two eyes. It was glorious. Suck it NC State Fair!

I’m currently listening to The Who Sell Out - The Who, 1967

This record continues to be among my favorites and most played, for the music and cover design.

Vinyl Sunday (Birthday Edition) - Buddy Holly Record Set

I still can’t contain my excitement over this 6-record set! My awesome sister and brother-n-law gave me the Complete Buddy Holly collection for my birthday. Its seems so appropriate seeing as Buddy was a Virgo too (September 7, 1936). His “hiccup” (glottal stop) singing style, trademark frames, and sweet lyrics on love make me weak in the knees…

Between the ages of 17 and 22, Buddy Holly made music that would live on to influence some of the biggest artists in contemporary music. On February 3, 1959, a small plane carrying him, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper went down in Clear Lake, Iowa. That date would later become known as “The Day the Music Died”. 

You don’t have to spend $425 to get one of these!

Check your local flea market or used furniture stores first. I bought this chair for $20 at the Raleigh flea market. It was one of those days when the planets aligned. I went in search of a retro-style chair similar to one I had previously purchased (also a flea market find - $40). Well, this chair was the first item I stumbled upon. It was old, stained and you could tell the foam inside was a bit stiff, but the bones of the chair were absolutely perfect. 

Re-upholstery was inevitable with this particular chair, but that won’t always be the case with used furniture. If you find a cool piece, try removing any stains with a gentle fabric cleaner like Woolite. For tougher areas (oil, rust, blood), spot clean with Shout or Resolve, but USE IT SPARINGLY as you don’t want to damage the foam. You’ll be pleased to find that you can breathe life back into an old piece of furniture with a little love, warm water and soap.

I did like the original upholstery of this chair, but unfortunately, most of the stains were quite stubborn and hardened. So plan B was to search out a local upholsterer and some cool fabric. Now, re-upholstery can be expensive, so if you choose to go that route, its important to do your research and ask around. I also recommend paying close attention to the quality of the work. My chosen upholsterer came highly recommended by the nice ladies at a local fabric shop. And sure enough I was pleased when upon entering their studio, the upholsterers were reworking some amazing antique barbershop chairs with red vinyl, a task that requires ridiculous amounts of precision fabric work.

It took a couple weeks, some fresh foam, choice fabric and newly covered buttons, but now I have a gorgeous chair to complete my living room.