If you are like me, you may still be looking for a few last minute items to fill those stockings for Christmas morning. Amazon Prime keeps my life in order and bringing what I need…here are five perfect last-minute stuffers that will arrive in time, available with Prime!
Rosie the Riveter retro socks Keep the pandemic memories alive with these adorable Rosie the Riveter socks, complete with a mask on!
Retro vinyl record coasters Perfect for any music lover, these retro coasters will keep that midcentury furniture safe from liquid marks!
Wooly Willy classic game Remember this?! Bring smiles to your child’s face with this magnetic fun.
Baby’s Christmas Little Golden Book Classic memories for any new babies in your life with this classic Little Golden Book.
Retro 80s Mad Libs Mad Libs are fun for all – bring back some memories with this awesome 80s version!
Have any other great ideas to share? Let me know here! I’ve still got a few spots to fill in our own stockings. Happy holidays everyone!
Meet the amazing Angela Kumbera. She creates her original art in her home studio in Prescott, Arizona. She’s been an artist since she was young, and her love of all things old and vintage inspire her bright, midcentury modern-style art pieces. Mid Mod Flair, to quote Angela, is a place “Where art and imagination take a journey back in time.”
Just take a peek at some of my favorite paintings of hers:
Some of my favorite pieces of midcentury art by Angela.
The best part is, she turns her paintings into many gorgeous items you can buy. Think holiday gifts, friends!
You can purchase the actual artwork as acrylic on canvas, Giclee prints on canvas or Giclee prints on archival matte paper. Checkout the entire gallery of artwork on her site. She has also turned her art into magnets, stickers, coasters and pins you can purchase. A few of my faves:
There’s some exciting new products in the works from Angela…she’s created greeting cards from her artwork and even a super mod tea towel, which you can find in her Etsy shop.
I am lucky enough to have recently received some Mid Mod Flair artwork and goodies and I’m getting my act together to put a post together sharing all the juicy details!
I love when I find Etsy shops with talented artisans and products that of truly great quality. I recently shared some great Etsy holiday gifts and I have more small business seller goodness to share.
Aaron von Freter is a New York based artist working in the music and fashion industry, and is the owner of Rockswell on Etsy. I instantly fell in love with this Take it Easy t-shirt design in his Insta feed. We all need a little motivation during this crazy time of life…between a global pandemic and the election season alone. Let’s take a breather and TAKE IT EASY for a minute! Every time I look at this shirt, I instantly start singing in my head…”Take it eeeeasyyyyy…” and feel a little happier.
I knew that you Mod Bar followers would dig this retro design – whether for you or a holiday gift this season! It’s a unisex, slim fit design, and let me tell you, it is SOFT!
Follow Rockswell on Instagram for all kinds of cool designs — for t-shirts, stickers and posters. I love this retro-inspired Surf poster — how insane of an artist is Aaron?!
As an Etsy seller myself, I want to share some of the BEST retro finds around this season from fellow, creative Etsy sellers. Let’s all remember to shop small and support local business this season!
Retro Christmas face mask
Mask up in style, people! I can’t get enough of this! Check out these retro face masks from Sisters Upcycling on Etsy. And I love that they use restyled, upcycled or repurposed elements. Located in Chicago, we are neighbors! Follow them on Instagram!
Wrap those presents in style with this beautiful, vintage ornament wrapping paper. The Etsy seller, Ruby Stripe is also in Chicago! So much talent in this great city! Even under your tree can become a design focal point, wrapping with this paper. Follow them on Instagram for more amazing party goods!
This is seriously amazing — check out this personalized, atomic Christmas ornament from Dash Ten Works on Etsy. I am loving everything about this. It’s one of those where I think you order one for yourself, then for those midcentury-lovers on your gift list! Check out their awesome Instagram, too.
How perfect is this felt ball, retro-inspired garland? Perfect to drape on your mantel, integrate into a tablescape or even decorate small trees! Handcrafted by The Rainbow Barn on Etsy, you can’t go wrong with this retro Christmas decor! Follow them on Instagram for more greatness!
Decorating midcentury homes is incredibly fun. The clean lines and open spaces of midcentury architecture make it a thrilling challenge to pop color in your spaces. Read on for five easy ways to pop some color
1: Color those walls
Walls are an open canvas awaiting your artistic color. Whether you opt for a pop of color with paint, or gorgeous bright wallpaper like Lezlie @theretrobeehive you can bring in any color you’d like. Her entire room below is oozing color fabulousness, but her walls are really the focal point and she knows just how to bring in the additional accents. Seriously checkout and follow her account — much of her design and home decor has been an inspo to my home. In particular, her mantle, rainbow candle display is out of this world!
If you are a thrift junkie like me, you know the thrill of finding amazing, old glassware. Vintage colored vases are not always the easiest to find, but when you score them it’s a perfect way to pop color on a shelf, table or counter. Nicole @pyrexnplants has an amazing glassware collection and has the perfect decorating touch to bring scores of color to her gorgeous home. See a sample of her decor below and make sure you follow along for inspiration. We sometimes seem to be thrifting soul sisters across the country, having the same vintage items in our home!
What better way to splash color on your walls with midcentury-inspired artwork?! My friend Angela at @midmodflair can help! Check out her wall below with a collection of her OWN artwork. She uses bright colors in everything she does and her fun and eclectic designs will bring happiness to your walls! She’s an incredible artist and you can see all her work on her website.
Some other midcentury-inspired wall art to consider and view my full idea list:
4: Colorful blankets
A simple way to pop color in your living room is by draping a gorgeous, bright blanket on the couch. Thrifters know the thrill of finding that perfect, vintage ‘granny’ blanket. I know I’ve only found a few, but I’m always looking. There’s noone else I can think of to you show you, but Amy @ponderbird who has an obscene, amazing collection of blankets! She has a beautiful house, she knits like a rockstar and has a mug collection like no other!
Not up for the hunt? Check out these colorful options or see my full list.
5: Statement furniture
If you can, bringing major, bright statement furniture in your home can transform any dark or neutral space into something amazing! Brian and Ashley @atkinsonbrickhouse1957 know this, and have some incredible pieces in their 1957 stunning ranch. Check them out – you seriously won’t believe the pool that is in their courtyard. If you can’t get a killer huge couch they can fit in your space…start small with a chair, ottoman or footstool to get some color!
I know we are five minutes past Halloween, but I just LOVE Christmas and all things holiday. I restrain myself from putting up all our holiday decorations and the tree until the day after Thanksgiving (our family tradition) but once November hits, I get holiday shopping on my mind. I’ll share with you some of my faves that would be perfect for any retro lover on your list, or for you to sneak on your own wish list! I have so much to share, so this is part one of a two-part post series. If you are anxious for more, check out my midcentury Christmas idea list here.
Retro stone coasters
I was lucky enough to actually be gifted these myself last year and just adore them. These are super high quality, stone coasters, made by CoasterStone. They have cork on the back and keep your wood surfaces safe. We keep these in our living room and are a perfect blend of style and function!
This Eames house bird replica will add the perfect touch of color to any midcentury-lover’s home. And the best part is, you can even get it in yellow, white or red. Yes, you can buy these elsewhere for a MUCH higher price, but this is a budget-friendly, quality bird at under $25.
One of the most iconic midcentury plants, the fiddle leaf tree brightens up any retro home. I love adorning my house with real plants, but have to admit I have a few ‘fakies’ around the home, and sometimes it’s just easier in spots like bathrooms or darker areas. This one looks truly real and comes in a high quality, pretty planter with midcentury style.
We may not be galivanting around to as many cocktail and holiday parties as last year, but I know wine is still always a gift of choice for many. What a perfect way to jazz up your delivery or hostess gift than with these pink atomic wine cover bags!?
We may be all spending alot more time at home this winter, and over the holidays. Why not bring some relaxing joy with midcentury adult coloring books? I spend alot of time coloring with my young son and would love to try and get him to color these with me! Check out this one by Margaret Dahm or this cute one from Donna Freitag.
Grab the first one on Amazon or the second book here
Anne Taintor funny cocktail napkins
Another perfect hostess gift or great to throw in a wine gift basket you are putting together. This pack of 40 cocktail napkins will be sure to bring smiles to any retro lover in your life! As someone who loves a good wine night, I can think of so many people in my life who would love these.
Who doesn’t love a beautiful coffee table book?! This book features hundreds of beautiful art from artists like Charles and Ray Eames and Elaine Lustig…the perfect way to bring some classic color to that retro living room.
I’ll have to end this holiday gift this with this amazing clock. Honestly I think I’m adding this to my own wish list this year. Th colors are just stunning in this replica Nelson Sunburst clock that was originally designed in 1948. Drooling!
Hope you all enjoyed this little list of midcentury gifts. Would love to hear what you would suggest, and please stay tuned for more! There’s too many good ideas not to share more! Happy online shopping everyone!!
If you are anything like me, you love to entertain at home. Most midcentury-style homes were built with entertaining in mind — large, open living spaces, sunken living rooms and plenty of gathering space. Usually somewhere in there is a kitschy bar to gather over cocktails.
I’m lucky enough in my home to have two bar spaces. In our basement we have a super retro bar, complete with an orange formica countertop:
Basement bar
And in our upstairs, when we finished our kitchen renovation last year, we took down a wall that allowed us to create this new bar / entertaining area. It’s one of my favorite spots in the house!
Upstairs bar area
Unfortunately since COVID we have not been able to entertain like we used to, so it’s really just our family enjoying these spaces, but one day soon we’ll be back entertaining!
But…here are five must haves to spice up your own midcentury bar space!
There’s just something about midcentury-style planters. Their simple lines and colors just bring the perfect touch to plants inside (or out!) of your home. Wanted to share a few of my faves…
This is an awesome set of two planters for smaller plants…you get a 7″ and 5″ plant stand. They work for both indoor and outdoor plants, with a drainage plug. The wood stands are cool where you can flip them to use the height you want — whether taller or shorter. These kinds of planters I think look great next to fireplaces or placed around the kitchen in ‘dead space’.
I love this single planter as well. By Potey, it’s a really beautiful white ceramic and small enough to keep on a counter or windowsill. Also with a drainage plug. The planter is 5.2″ across. I love putting small ones like this on my kitchen or bathroom counters!
For your larger, floor plants, this one is awesome. Amazon brand is really stepping up its game. It’s a beautiful pale green stoneware, standing at 17″ high. It’s on a sturdy iron stand, shouting major midcentury style. Wherever you’ve got room on the floor for those awesome, monster plants, this will be beautiful!
It’s been awhile since I’ve done a giveaway over at instagram.com/the_mod_bar, so I thought it was time to spread some love. Up for grabs are a few, great midcentury items.
First, a gorgeous vintage, brass candle holder. Would look amazing at your holiday table filled with candles.
Vintage, brass candleholder.
Second, you’ll win a super cool midcentury planter. I picked this up awhile ago and just thought it is SO cool and kitschy.
Midcentury planter.
Finally, you’ll get a set of three midcentury plant style enamel pins. Keep for yourself or share with a friend!
Enamel pins
Easy to enter!!
Contest is open to US residents and closes this Sunday, November 1st at 10am central. To enter, simply: 1- Like this post on Instagram 2- Follow @the_mod_bar 3- Tag at least one friend, or as many as you want, for one extra entry per tag 4- BONUS: Follow my blog here for FIVE extra entries 5- BONUS: Share this post in your Instagram story (and tag me!) for 3 extra entries
Now that we got the base of our refresh done in the bathroom — tile cleaning, painting, etc. the fun part of decorating has commenced! I wanted to share some of the new goodies I’ve gotten to brighten up the space. I never really had spent time before bringing color or spice into the room and now I’m much happier — not done, but happy!
I know many of you might balk at fake plants, but I really love this larger plant on my counter that I got from Amazon — it comes in a set of two and in a really quality gray pot. In my bathrooms, I do better with these, and get the greenery I love! Same with the small succulent — it’s part of a great set where I spread them around the house. And I’m trying to bring in the pop of turquoise with this beautiful candle from Home Goods.
I have never gotten fancy soap dispensers, but I fell in love with this orange/peach glass soap dispenser. It brings a perfect pop of color tying into my countertop and sink, and has chrome finishes which matches my new vanity light perfectly!
I have long wanted a shelf above the toilet area and I scored this one on Prime Day this year. It’s very low profile and isn’t overpowering. I pulled a turquoise vase from our bedroom, and put it alongside a canvas picture I have had for awhile. That picture isn’t what I imagine permanently, but until I thrift or buy something better, it’ll do and bring in the turquoise I had imagined! I found a great smelling reed diffuser at Home Goods and added one of the succulents from this set to the shelf.
Love this shelf from Amazon, decorated with some goodies I already had, along with a pretty reed diffuser from Home Goods and another succulent from this set.
As you know there’s always tweaking to decor, so I’m sure I’ll find some great new goods in some future thrifting adventures and I’ll just have to keep my eyes open!
Welcome to the Mod Bar 