I "Picked" Up This Gondola Style Sofa This Morning And Just Managed To Shoot Pictures Before Heading Off To Work. Status: That's Right...Daily Blogger / Full Time Worker.

I got this to replace our current gondola sofa in the livingroom because it looks a little less "chunky" but it won't work.  It needs to be backed up against a what to support the seatback cushions.  Our gondola sofa is against our front windows and there isn't anything to push up against!  Fail.

Way Cool Antique Mall Score! Ben Seibel Bookends. Status: Not Perfect But Cheap!

These were found in a booth at the St. Charles Antique Mall.  Antique malls are not really Meccas of Vintage Modern but, like craigslist, if you have the patience and check often you will be rewarded!  I only learned about Ben Seibel and his various designs about a year or so ago but have become a bit of a fan.

No Mad Men Chain Smoking Going On In This Office. Why Do I Have Such Huge Ashtrays? Status: Useless.

The Girlfriend gave up smoking a couple months ago and hasn't smoked in the house in many years yet I've got dozens of ashtrays.  Only one has ever seen a butt and actually, it's hers.  It's a cool ashtray on a stand that sits just outside the front door that has been abused by mother nature (and the weight of hundreds of butts) for two years.  Maybe I'll clean it up and see if it can be saved this winter.  Until then, check out these enormous smoking apparatuses!

More Thrifty Vintage Drinkware Swag! Status: All Kinds Of Gorgeous!

Another nice lot of vintage glassware made it's way to our humble abode.  Some I needed and some were just a really great find.  I've never found any interesting Martini glasses before.  Are they vintage?  Dunno!  Ever seen Rollie Poly glasses like these?  Me either!  Three starburst small rocks glasses?  Thanks Thrift Gods!

I Picked Up A Beautiful Kent Coffey "Foreteller" Bedroom Set This Afternoon. I Bet It Could See Me Coming A Mile Away. Status: C'mon...Foreteller? Get It?

Finally!  Vintage Modern stuff getting blogged about again!  Did you miss it as much as I?  Well this is a Big Set to make up for lost time.  I spotted this set on craigslist a few days ago just listed as a "bedroom set" but was surprised to find it a complete Kent Coffey "the Foreteller" bedroom set with TWO nightstands!

No Vintage Retro Goodies Today. C'mon! It's Christmas! And What Does Mr. Modtomic Do On Christmas Night? Ice Skating With The Girlfriend. Status: I'm So Effing Romantic!

Just like in the movies!  We went Ice Skating on Christmas Night and it was great!  We got there kinda late but didn't stay 'til closing anyway.  It wasn't too cold and since we both have rollerblades we were fairly capable ice skaters right away.  The Girlfriend only fell once!

What's This, What's This? A Crazy Mixed Up Tree. What's This? A Nightmare Christmas Theme. Status: Vintage + Halloween + Christmas!

Happy Hollidays everybody! I hope you are having a wonderful day. I can't wait to hear about all the goodies you're tearing the wrappings off of! Just taking a moment to show off our Nightmare Before Christmas theme party decorations.

Long Cold Nights...Flea Markets Shut...Few Estate Sales? Time For Some Winter Projects. Status: Let It Begin...Let It BEGIN!!!

Oh...it's begun. And it is ON buddy. Me and these Paul McCobb chairs as well as this third piece to my newly acquired Lane living room table set have a date with destiny. These are the pieces I vow to have back in use this winter. I know, I know...the table. That's a cake walk. No problem. But those chairs, well...that's a whole another ball of wax.

Just In Time For X-Mas! Winter (?) Glassware Found In Garage And Unboxed! Status: Straight To Craigslist!

I woke up late (noon) and had to get my morning (well...afternoon) sorted quick.  I had to meet a buyer of one of my myriad of Flip Clocks at their work.  It was a gift and they needed it quick.  I was more than happy to oblige since it was close but that meant that I had to forgo my normal routine of taking pics before work.  That's right folks...it's a house of cards around here with me bumping up against my self imposed daily deadline EVERY time!  So here's another post pulled out of thin air for your blog perusing critique.

I Know It Seems Like Deja Vu But I Don't Control What The Thrift Gods Drop In My Lap! More Dorothy Thorpe Style Stuff And A Starburst Pyrex Decanter. Status: Cleaning Problem...Help?

Again, I found this lot over at the St. Charles Goodwill. I know it seems like I'm over there all the time but I (again) had taken the day off because I needed to take the rest of my vacation days from work lest I loose them at the end of the year. I finally remembered to go over to a shop in "Old" St. Charles that deals in some VERY interesting antique restoration items to pick up some caning for a project I'm working on and for realz, the Goodwill is on the way back to the highway. How could I not stop?

Wait..Didn't I Just Post About A Lamp Yesterday? Yep, And It's The Same Ol' Story...Lamp Meets Shade. Status: Living Happily Ever After.

The shade found it's way into my hands at the Goodwill down the street.  It was a (getting) rare find what with it being in excellent condition.  They are so fragile that it's just amazing that it can make its way through "the machine" of donation, display and purchase without being crushed.

Picked Up A Really Cool Lamp Base This Afternoon. A Nice Match For The Last Multi Element Shade I Had Sittin' 'Round. Status: Together At Last.

Completely unrelated to the lamp: Has anybody else seen the American Masters PBS series on Charles and Ray Eames?  I watched it tonight on KETC Channel 9, our local public television station.  It was quite informative but dizzying in the amount of info they had to go through.  I felt like they could have broken it up into four or five hour long shows and still would have had to skim the surface of a lot of the Eames' contributions.

How About A Little Wine To Celebrate 500 Posts? OK, The Wine Ain't Available But The Gorgeous Wine Rack Is! Status: Keepin' The Libations In Style

I just found this Bordex style (not marked) wine rack over the weekend. It's a "desktop" sort of unit and I can't fit it in my wine storage area on the shelves. It's a really cool vintage modern / industrial design that I think can be expanded upon. I'm making it available on my c-list ads, but not the Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay! That's special.

Coolest Mod "Doll" House Ever? It Needs A Lil Work...And Some Furniture! Status: YeeHa! 500 Posts Today!

I have a real hard time calling this a "Doll" house, but what else can it be called?  I found this DOLL house initially on eBay where it failed to sell, but I noticed that it was located in Springfield Il. only about a 120 miles from home.  I often check the craigslists of the periphery cities around St. Louis for good stuff and when this didn't sell on eBay it made it's way onto c-list.  A road trip was in order!

This Ever Happen In Your Neck Of The Woods? Two Stores, Two Scores, One Motif? Thorpe Style Glassware & Vintage Modern Candlesticks. Status: Thrift Score.

While not technically a Dorothy Thorpe style (as far as I know), that is still how I'd describe these four "rocks" and "highballs".  I didn't even have a chance to properly clean them up and yet, as you can see, they are still quite an attractive set.

Oh Sweet Thrift Store Lighted Globe Scorage! Status: About As Sexy As A Model Of The Earth Can Be.

Having taken the day of today proved VERY fruitful!  I had to go to the (True Value!) hardware store to (finally) get a lock set with a key for the garage door since we've never had one.  While I was out I of course had to do some rare weekday thrift scavenging!

It's So Not Vintage Modern In Any Way But It Was Such A Great Thrift Score That I Just Had To Share. Status: Staring At The Moon.

 

Do I need a telescope?  Nope.  Would I ever consider buying one new?  Not a chance.  Does it look cool and add a sense of distinguished character to the Lily Pad?  Yup!  Oh...and it works!

Kaaa-Pow! How's This For A Pink Bathroom?! Pics From The Estate Auction Down The Street! Status: Tell Your Eyes I'm Sorry.

Is this not the most "WOW" bathroom Ever? Sad to know there is NO WAY this one will be saved. It's both amazing (I'd totally keep it EXACTLY as is!) and seriously garish. It's like a page out of one of those late '60s early '70s Better Homes & Gardens decorating books come to life! I'm smitten.

Hittin' The Road For Vintage Booty. Danish Daybed Treasure Spotted In Columbia Mo. Status: Got.

I was off work Thursday and Friday so I took the opportunity to scrounge through the "outer ring" of craigslists including Springfield Il., Cape Girardeau Mo. and Columbia Mo. These are all within easy daytrip driving distance from St. Louis. The St. Louis craigslist was yielding nothing but the same old "bumped up" stuff so finding these in Columbia Mo. was a breath of fresh air.

This Killer GE Granville Console Stereo Was Also Procured From The Sale Down The Street. I Was The ONLY Bidder. Status: Cheap? You Betcha!

I only know it's a "Granville" because the previous owner was kind enough to keep the original sales brochure along with some other paperwork for the unit! Apparently it's a Model RC4331 and the previous owner was also kind enough to keep it in excellent condition...mostly.

Large Format Estate Auction Booty. By "Large" I Mean Larger Size As Well As Price. Status: Yup...Mr. Mod Had To Open Up The Pocket Book.

This magazine bin / lamp / table was one of the items that drew me all the way down the street to the auction Friday morning. There was also a nice generic dining set that was pretty cool but I didn't feel like toasting the last of my dough on it since there were a few other items I had my keen little eye on.

I Didn't Get Around To Unloading Frank This Afternoon. There Was An Estate Auction (Blegh) This Morning. Status: Scores!

Yeah, I know..."I Hate auctions blah blah blah", but c'mon...it was like ten houses down the street. How could I resist? Plus, once the auction got going it wasn't so bad as many of the buyers either got their fill or just left and it wasn't so crowded. I managed to snatch up this pair of Jens Quistgaard Fiesta danish modern iron candleholders by Dansk (along with a box of sundries) for $17.50. Not too shabby.

I Took A Little Roadtrip This Morning To Columbia Mo. To Pick Up Something Cool But Stopped And Shopped A Few Antique Malls Along The Way. Status: Extra Goodies.

I went on a little craigslist snatching roadtrip this morning after seeing an ad late last night (really, early this morning...wait...yesterday morning...this gets so confusing). Anyway, the ad was for something good (no, not the pole lamp!) for really cheap. I thought for sure that would already be gone but the seller got back to me right away. So off I went this morning!

Vintage Retro Silverware By Castle Stainless Steel. Status: Finally Found My Stash!

I have some of this set of retro silverware pictured with a place setting of my Franciscan Starburst on my former Noguchi Cyclone cafe table (sold it last weekend) and have had a few inquiries about it.  I feel so guilty about getting to this only just now but I forgot where I put the set after shooting those pics!

Pulled All The Russel Wright (Whew...) And Dragged Out The Franciscan Trio. Status: Keepin' It Real.

I got bored with all the Russel Wright in the china cabinet and since we're having a change of season, I thought it might be time to change up the display.  It's all Vintage Modern Franciscan now and for the time being.  I was surprised how much R.W. I had to put away!  I got LOTS.

Thrift Store Pickin's! We've Been Falling Down On The Job A Little Where Thrifting Is Concerned But Here's A Little Somethin' We Got Lately. Status: Bright And Shiny!

It's Orange...it's plastic...the Girlfriend never had a chance.  There was no way this wasn't coming home with us.  She loves the color orange and...well, you already know how she is about plastic.  I spotted the plastic ware and showed her the set and picked up the coffee decanter for myself.  It's a Fred Press!

I Find The Survival Of These Cork Lamps Over The Years Amazing! They Seem So Soft And Fragile. Status: Still Here.

I can remember having an entire wall covered in cork when I was a kid. I remember it having a particular smell too. The thing about cork like this is that it is so soft and easily damaged. I'm really surprised to see these cork lamps still out there after all these years!

Just A Couple Lil' Items I Had Sittin' Around. Starbursts, Salt-N-Peppers And Ashtray Twins. Status: Random.

Wow, after all the great estate sales this Summer, I hate to sound like I'm complaining but...Dangit! They've kinda dried up again! Not really dried up, because there were at least dozen this weekend, but the really good Vintage Modern ones have all gone away! If I was after some Early American or French Provincial...I'd be set!

More Stuff I Had For A While...Loved Lots...And Passed On To Another. Status: Gone But Not Forgotten.

Please forgive the quality of these photos. These pics are three years old and are from when I first started taking pictures. I didn't have it all sorted out just yet. But anyway, what you're looking at is a VERY hard to find Ronald Schmitt / Knut Hesterberg "Propeller" table. This I found on craigslist for all of $125. I don't seem to find these kinda deals much anymore. Oh how the times they are a changin'.

Something's Fishy 'Round Here. I Hope It Ain't These Amazing Libbey Glasses. Status: Traded For!

So I finally got in touch with sabo_meenyo (who had mentioned a time or two that she'd like to do a glass swap!) and we made the trade! She seemed really pleased with the glassware I had for her and I'm sure everybody reading knows how much I love these Libbey "Fish" Glasses.

Mr. Modtomic Don't Go In For That Subtle Stuff. The More Space Age The Better! Status: Better....Much Better!

Barware doesn't get much more Modern Atomic than this! These are some items I've had for quite a while, but they've been over at the bungalow until now. These two pieces are some of my best scores to date.

If You're Gonna Talk The Talk...You Gotta Walk The Walk. Livin' Vintage With Vintage Linen. Status: A New Wrinkle.

I just recently started picking up vintage towels.  I've never really looked before but these caught my eye at an estate sale recently.  They certainly scream 1965 wouldn't you say?

Stuff I Had Just Layin' Round But Is Gone Now. Zenith Console Stereo With Cool Louvered Doors. Status: Gone But Not Forgotten

Ain't this about one of the coolest console stereos you've ever seen?  It all worked perfectly too.  Stereo, turntable and line in inputs.  You could run your ipod or whatever into this tube driven beast and really warm up that digital playlist.  This was a quick and unexpected craigslist flip.

"Heywood" Ya Look At That? Another Coffee Table! Status: Looks Good From 5 Feet Away...But It's Got Its Issues.

This was brought home from the same Garage Sale as the hoop rack featured a few days ago.  I know right...killer Garage Sale!  But most of the stuff being sold was the seconds of the sellers collections.  Items that need a little love or are a little less than perfect.  While milling about in the sellers basement / garage I could see some of the Good Stuff being kept away from us greedy buyers.

As Promised (Sorta) Yesterday. Here's My Hoop Chairs In The Maner Of Tony Paul. Status: See...Looks Good With The Hoop Rack!

Yesterday I showed off my little hoop magazine rack that I picked up earlier this summer.  I mentioned that I thought it would look great with my Hoop Chairs but hadn't ever posted about them.  I guess I never posted about them because I've had them for a long time and we don't even have them in the house anymore.

Rack 'Em Up! The Magazines That Is. Or A Small Amount Of Fire Wood...Which Is What I'll Probably Use This For. Status: Heh heh...I Said "Wood".

Remember a few weeks ago when I brought home a set of Basset cabinets? I found those because Illuminate had texted me about a Mod garage sale that she hit after the Big Brasilia estate sale. Well, I picked this little magazine / firewood rack at that garage sale.

About A Year And A Half Ago I Picked Up A Big Set Of Brasilia From A Thrift Store In East St. Louis. This Time Just A Sanyo 8 Track. Status: Not Quite A Score On The Same Scale.

It's still a pretty cool score but it's no huge load of Brasilia!  I've been wanting to get back over to this thrift on the East Side ever since I got that set.  I was sure that there would always be something worth picking up any time I could get by.  It's just that sorta place.  You know what I mean?

Nuthin' Beats Free But Finding A Tulip Table For Cheap Ain't Too Shabby. Status: Needs A Little Freshening Up.

More cheap cool tables! Nice. I found this beauty on C-list the same night I found the tossed Kroehler down the street. I picked it up on my way into work yesterday. It was at a business downtown that was liquidating it's assets.

Check This Out...On My Way Home From Work Last Night I Spotted This Being Tossed By A Neighbor! Status: Not Trash!

I mean, c'mon...this Kroehler coffee table is a little rough, but to just throw it away?  That's not cool.  They could have donated it to the Salvation Army thrift store just a short 5 minute drive away!  And they picked a day when it was raining to put it out.  ::Shakes Head::  Luckily it wasn't damaged by the rain.  I think the drink glasses and little kids with crayons took care of That!

Wanna Play Jax? Jack Wants Ta Play! It's Almost Time For The Nightmare Before Christmas Party Again! Status: A Mighty Fine Pair.

Things are coming together for our annual Nightmare party. I found the decorations out in the Garage last night. The tree will go up soon and Jack and Sally are showing up in more pictures lately. Yup, it's almost time.

'Memba This Danish Style Lounge Chair From Last Month? Wanna See What It Looks Like Now? Status: A New Lease On Life.

This chair came from an early morning estate sale and was passed on to a new home almost as soon as I got it out of the back of Frank!  And a wonderful new home this orphan went to.  As a matter of fact, I don't know if a better home could have been found!

When The Thrifts Yeild Nothing...Time To Hit The Antique Malls! Status: More Pricey - More Consistent

OK, this might not be Vintage Modern but it could be! It's just reads that are cut and assembled in such a way that this amazing plant stand (I assume) is produced. It looks very much like a Harry Bertoia or Isamu Noguchi inspired piece but it's really just a really cool specific geometric shape...that happens to be kinda magical. Check it out, as well as a lot more cool stuff available at a couple local Antique Malls, inside!

::Sigh:: This Thing Very Nearly Swaddles You In Comfort. Yes, The Mr. Chair Is Finished. Status: Nap-tastic!

It's not perfect. I'm no professional upholsterer, but it looks pretty good for a hack like me. I'm certainly happy with it and am elated that I can finally USE the chair. It's absolutely the most comfortable chair I've ever owned. It fits like a tailored lambskin glove. I predict this chair and ottoman are going to suffer some pretty serious napping.

Only Just Now When Uploading These Images Did I Realize That These Were All Drinking Utensils. Status: Fresh Garage (re?) Find.

I was out in the Garage looking for my (vintage) staple gun the other night when I stumbled upon the retro swirly glasses in a box.  I didn't dig further 'cuz I knew the stapler wouldn't be in there but then I was looking for the X-mas decorations last night and I wanted to check further in that box and look what else I found!  It's like the best Garage sale you've ever been to in there sometimes...'cuz it's all cool stuff and it's already mine!

With The Big T-Day Coming Up In A Week, Time To Drag Out The X-mas Tree! Status: Still Can't Find Those D*mn Tree Decorations.

Found this in the basement of an estate sale some years ago. It's in excellent condition...except for it's lack of electric motor. You see, it's designed to slowly spin the tree while playing a little music box rendition of Silent Night.

Mr. Modtomic Is (Slowly) Making Some Progress On Project: Mr. Chair. Status: Staples Staples Staples.

I don't know exactly what came over me this evening but I pulled out the Plycraft Mr. Chair and started in on it again.  I made some pretty good progress too.  Another couple hours and I'll be sitting pretty...well..let's say sitting Handsomely.

Brought Some Home...Left Some Behind...Spotted Some Thrifts Of TERROR!!! Status: Just Another Weekend!

After picking up the La Fonda Eames side table at the Ivey Selkirk auction I Still felt the need to hit a few thrift stores. I know. "Really?" Yep, really. I didn't clean up but I did find a couple neat things. Check it out!

Most Beautiful Radio Ever Available In Belleville Illinois? Status: Better Have A Fat Wallet!

Not my picture above!!! Found on hyperion327's photostream. I, sadly, do not have one of these radios to photograph myself. I'd love to have one...even a reproduction. I only just this evening found that a couple companies make reproductions!

One Of The Best Things About Thrift Stores Is Never Knowing What (If Anything!) You Are Going To Find When You Step Inside. Status: Something A Little Different.

'Memba metal toys?  The kind that could do some serious damage if used "improperly".  Does Tonka still make their dump trucks in America?  I can't find any good info on dating these particular Tonkas but I'd place them at maybe early to mid '80s.  Not at all Modtomic but still a cool vintage(ish) thrift score!

Went To The Modernism Auction And Did Not Come Home Empty Handed! Status: Pleased As Punch!

I went to the Modernism auction this morning not to buy but more to see how the Ivey Selkirk auctions happen. Maybe buy something next time maybe even include something to be sold. Somehow I still managed to bring home this stunning Eames designed La Fonda side table.