Home. Fashion. DIY. VintageKC SUMMER 2015 | VOL. 4 ISSUE 1
Where vintage, antique and repurposed mingle
Visit our 12,000+ sq. foot space at 901 S. Parker in Olathe, Kansas! 913-768-0084 | Mon-Sat 10-6 and Sun 12-5 facebook.com/LoneElmMall instagram.com/LoneElmMall Vendor inquiries welcome!
Contents
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shop 05 ETSY FINDS
Mid-century Modern
46 MAKERS KCproud. learn 06 DESIGN BOOK Jennifer Bertrand 08 BUY AND SELL Typewriters 25 DESIGNING WITH DEB Inexpensive mid century do 10 CRAFT Maps 36 THRIFTCYCLE Upcycled drawer 38 CRAFT Embroidery hoops 44 DUSTIN’S DIY Garden dragonfly
inspiration 16 VINTAGE SPACES Brookside charmer meets mid-century collector 26 VINTAGE FASHION Retro swimwear 32 VINTAGE EVENTS DIY wedding
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vintagekc summer 2015
^ from the editor
Staff
Publisher/Editor Erin Shipps erin@vintagekcmag.com Sales Director Erik Salmons erik@vintagekcmag.com Fashion Director/ Editorial Assistant Calli Green calli@vintagekcmag.com
Our Local Hearts K
ansas City steals hearts every day. From its makers and artists, to its tech startups, to its entertainment, to its food—this place is easy to love. Pride overflows from this city. You can’t walk a day in the city without spotting local love in the form of T-shirts, prints, hats, etc. We wear our pride on our sleeves, on our chests and on our heads. For more ways to show your KC love, check out our first maker page at the back of the magazine, featuring local designers KCproud. We’re also introducing Maker Memos as we work more local artisans into our fold. On page 28, you’ll find a handmade sum- mer knit that stole our retro-loving hearts. Kansas City’s network of local makers really inspires us, and I
Graphic Designer Emily Bowers
C ontributors Dustin Bates
Jennifer Bertrand Samantha Collins Michael Fry James Fry Kirsten Hudson Jamie Kaczmarczyk
Megan Kapple Audrey Kuether Abbie Marshall Kristen Shuler Deborah Vogler
should really start calling the summer issue the let’s-do-all-the-diy issue. We collect supplies and interesting pieces throughout the year in our estate sale, craft store, and dollar store adventures (we’re nothing if not frugal). There’s something about the combination of ideas piling up and the beautiful summer weather that puts us in a DIY mood. You’ll find a exactly 22 DIY projects in this issue and I hope you love them as much as we do. But it’s not just makers that have our hearts—it’s every single person who dares to have a dream and make it theirs. VintageKC is a small business that started as a nights-and-weekends venture in my home, with just me, my computer, and an idea. As we begin the fourth year of publishing with this anniversary issue, we’ve grown to a staff of four and we’re churning out magazines from a basement office in the Crossroads Arts District. Every day I pinch myself. We know how much hard work and determination it takes to get to the place you see in your head. We know how many nights you stay awake with ideas dancing in your mind. We know how much courage it takes to get up every day and fight for an idea—to push it, nurture it and watch it fly. And we know how even the smallest of victories and encouragement can fuel the next big idea around the corner. Take a look at the Etsy section across the way. While we usually feature many local Etsy shops, when we decided to feature Mid Century Modern, we knew exactly whom to call. Jamie grew her business from the soil and just last month, it was featured nationally as one of the best places to buy Mid Cen-
VINTAGEKC VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY VINTAGE MEDIA, LLC, IN KANSAS CITY, MO. COPYRIGHT 2015, VINTAGE MEDIA, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRO- DUCTION IN PART OR IN WHOLE WITH- OUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. P hotography Jill DiMartino Vixen Pinup Photography
Home. Fashion. DIY. VintageKC SUMMER 2015 | VOL. 4 ISSUE 1
tury online. She’s a wonderful example of self-made success. If you’ve ever wanted to make something, do something, lead something, own something, now is the time! I’ve heard through the grapevine that people wonder how I think of an idea and just go out and do it (I’m looking at you, new home renovation show “Home Remedy”). The truth is, I have fears like anyone, but the fear of failure is not one of them. At the end of the day, I don’t want to say, “I wish ...” I want to say, “I did.” And if you have a great idea, you know Kansas City, and all of us here at VKC are going to love it, because that’s what we do.
Fol low us! VKC vintagekcmag.com
Bright and beautiful in Brookside. Photo by Jill DiMartino On the C over
vintagekc
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Erin
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vintagekc summer 2015
shop ^ our favorite etsy finds
^
Mid-century
Wall Clock : 23” diameter, made by Seth Thomas, working condition, $250. KC & Cowtown Signs: Handmade signs, painted wood, $60 (set of 3). Vintage Afghan: Crochet daisy pattern throw, 44”x 64”, $35. Zoo Line Monkey: Teak body with rope arms, made in Japan, original label, $45. Throw Pillows : Handmade pillows, vintage fabric, pillow inserts included, $140 (set of 2). End Tables: Made by Heywood Wakefield, champagne color, $450 (set of 2; one not shown). Table Lamp & Shade: Ceramic and teak lamp base, original fiberglass shade, $175. kolorize.etsy.com
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learn ^ design book
Get organized this season by thinking outside the box for unconventional storage solutions Summer Chal lenge
By Jennifer Bertrand
H
ellooo everyone! It’s summertime, and just in case you’re in need of some sanity in the midst of summer madness, let’s
as bookshelves and bars, retro TVs as a bar (obviously I am needing a cocktail) … but imagine an old TV or even TV armoire turned into a jewelry armoire/closet. What do you have that you could mount differ- ently, take apart and transform, or just learn to love again with a fresh coat of paint? MacGyver had it right all along … It’s amazing how some eye hooks and cook- ing twine can turn a blank wall into an instant art display. I love creating wall installations. Recently I even took a frame I found in the West Bottoms and ran gold wire in a spider web through the middle. Now I clip to-do lists, etc., on it in my office. Think high and low Under your bed, under your stairs, wherever there is empty space, you need to think 2 3
about utilizing it with- out making it feel visually busy. In custom design we get to build up, install hidden doors, and so on. For real life design, make spaces feel less busy by unifying elements, harmonizing through color or texture. That’s designer talk for, if you have a wall of something, paint them all the same color or group them by colors. Also, clear out the dust bunnies and utilize the space under your beds. Think about it … you could use old dresser drawers to slide under a bed for extra storage. Kitchen items can be best friend A cake stand, a lazy susan, these are some of my favorite elements in design! I just used a cake stand in a teenage girl’s bathroom to raise her hair products and de-clutter her counter. I even use them on bookshelves! The other day, I 4
dream up some unconventional storage.
Back away from Pinterest and look around your home! Because of the Internet, the world is at our fingertips, and there is no reason our lives should not be in order. But do you ever think there is just too much info out there? I know I do, and sometimes rather than scouring the Internet, the solutions may literally be right in front of you. Sometimes it’s helpful look at items we already have with fresh eyes. Try walking into your storage area, look- ing at the extra items and asking yourself, “In what weird way could I use this?” For example, you will see people using old pianos 1
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vintagekc summer 2015
was perusing the Internet and even saw a cheese grater turned into an earring holder, and a wine rack turned into a wrapping paper holder. Utilitarian art It used to just be cool for hipster New York- ers to hang a bike or dining room chairs on the wall as functional art and storage. But anyone can do it! It’s basically embracing a bit of “pop art” and realizing that designers create the world around us and some of those objects are actually beautiful as is. Make storage a game This is a game you can play against yourself or you can bring kids in on the mix because they are actually less stuck to the “rules” of 5 6
to go down the rabbit hole—and being will- ing to be a bit silly to dream up new uses for objects. Just because the world tells you certain parameters doesn’t mean it is so. Have fun and be sure to share with me some of your unique storage solutions! Have fun! ^
xoxo,
Jen
Jennifer Bertrand is the winner of HGTV’s show “Design Star”
season three and cohost of “Real Life Design” on cravingtalkradio.com. She resides in Weatherby Lake, MO, with her lovely English husband, Chris, and her happy son, Winston. She has big plans in life to conquer the design world … again. Email pics and questions to Jennifer jblovesdesign@gmail.com Blog thereinventionofjenniferbertrand.com Instagram hgtvdesignstarjenniferbertrand Facebook Jennifer Oldham Bertrand Twitter jblovesdesign
how an item is supposed to be used. Challenge yourself to see how many uses you can come up with for an object. For me, nothing ever sounds too silly or too bizarre—so when in doubt play, “What would Jen do with this?” The key to finding unique storage solutions is to be willing
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learn ^ buy and sell
A buyer’s guide to manual communication By Michael and James Fry Typewriters
A
s the use of digital devices, and time spent in “the cloud” continues to in- crease, ironically so does a subculture intrigued by vintage objects from
are. These machines were not very effi- cient when first created, so production was limited. Small production meets the law of supply and demand, giving us a valued collector item. Companies including Victor, Lambert, and Odell produced these machines and current resell can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Brands, models and colors Brands are another factor to consider when typewriter shopping, but even this area is not as cut and dry as you might think. Some brands made models that are highly sought after, as well as models you can find in any antique store for $30. No brand exemplifies this better than Olivetti, a typewriter manufacturer from Spain. Most of their models sell between $40 and $60, the major exception being the Val- entine. Designed by Ettore Sottsass and Perry King in the late 1960s, this traditionally bright red machine is considered an icon of 20th century design and has even been displayed in museums such as MOMA. Resale value on the Valentine with the original case and in good condition ranges from $200-$400. Other notable brands and models to be on the lookout for include the Royal No. 10, Royal Model O, black or red Underwood Champion, Remington Rand Model 1, and any machines made by either Groma or Hammond. Machines to avoid include most models made by Sears, Montgomery Ward, or Brother—unless they’re ultra colorful, as the next paragraph will explain. The next time you’re at an antique store, estate or garage sale and see a bright and colorful typewriter —take a closer look. Some of the more sought-after, rare, and highly valued models are prized for their color. Take the Royal Quiet De Lux for example. The normal gray version sells
bygone eras. The function of a record player, typewriter, globe, clock, and camera can all be performed with a single digital device, yet the vintage versions of these items still appeal. Sit- ting near the top of the list of highly sought-after antiquated items is the vintage typewriter. First, not all typewriters are created equal. We’ll focus on the factors that will enable you to identify vintage writers worth at least $100: unique design, brand and models, colors, and condition, and how they all affect value. Un- derstanding these differences can help you de- cide to spend that $100 on a maroon Groma typewriter with a $600 resale potential. valuable typewriters. Most people are fairly familiar with what a standard typewriter looks like. If you find one that looks significantly different, or even weird in its design, investi- gate further. The earliest forms of typewriters were called index typewriters and they used a dial to choose the letter. There were no keys and no swinging metal arms. They actually look so different that you might not even recognize them for what they Unique design This is one of the easiest qualifiers of
around $20 to $60. Find that same model in red, bright blue, or the coveted bubble gum pink and you’re looking at a value of $200 to $400. Color of the machine impacts value in two ways. First, these colorful models were produced in much lower quantities than the standard black and gray, thus they are more collectable. The second reason is the afore- mentioned renewed interest in vintage goods. When a younger person is buying a 65-year-old mode of writing, they want it to really stand out and they are willing to pay more for it. When purchasing for re-sell pay extra attention to really bright colors, especially red, yellow, orange, purple, pink and green. Light blues and teals can be more common to run across. Condition In the typewriter world, condition is a big deal. Due to the specialty knowledge needed to restore machines and the lack of typewriter ribbons being sold locally, many buyers are leery of machines not fully functional. The potential resale value can differ dramatically for a model depending on if it is “in perfect working condition” or “needs a little TLC.” Condition can really be broken into three categories—functionality, the ribbon and cosmetics. Our advice would be to stay away from machines with sticking keys or other significant working issues. If the functionality seems sound, but it needs a new ribbon, go for it. Often sellers give a huge discount if a machine doesn’t work and most of the time all it needs is a $12 ribbon.
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he said ^ he said
What are the best everyday items you can buy at estate sales?
Online resources like mytypewriter. com and ebay.commake buying a ribbon simple and inexpensive. As far as cosmetics are concerned, look for machines with service grim but that don’t have any rust or corrosion on the body. Service grim is easy to clean and often allows you to pick up a quality machine at a discounted price. Whether you are crafting the next best-selling American novel, every line lovingly hand typed, or you just want to bank a cool $300 selling a Hermes sea foam 3000 that you got at a garage sale for $3, we hope that this typewriter exploration puts you on the path to success. Happy typing. Michael and James Fry are brothers and the owners of Brown Button Estate Sales. ^
A true estate sale includes every last thing that might be in someone’s home and there
We’re continually on the hunt for inspir- ing pieces of art or vintage ephemera to hang inside our home. Finding really inexpensive unique
are so many utility items that you can
frames at estate sales makes our growing collection cost quite
purchase for a
fraction of their new value. Knives are a great example. In a box of loose utensils, you might find a $50 to $100 Hinckels or Victorinox chef’s knife for $5 or less. A little sharpening with the new-in-box Pampered Chef knife sharpener for $3 and it’s good as new. Cleaning supplies are abundant at estate sales. Sure that bottle of 409 is partially used, but for 75 cents you are getting what is left for half of retail. From laundry detergent to toilet paper, car wash supplies to Comet, you can save money purchasing these items slightly used at an estate sale. Just watch out for the 90 percent empty containers. Lastly, quality yard tools with solid wood handles can often be purchased under $5. Yes, maybe the rake has a bent tine or two and the shovel has a little dirt on it, but that’s just to let you know they’re broken in.
a bit less to display. Most sales will have a box or two of 8in. x 11in. or larger frames for a few dollars each. My personal favorites are the vintage black painted thin wooden frames with the original mat. In many sales, the kitchen in one of the prime locations to find useful items. Quality utensils like a Kitchenaid can opener or an OXO cork screw can be purchases for a fourth of their original price. The last category on my list is quite possibly the most boring item you could find at an estate sale. It’s not exciting, no one is going to wait in line for it, yet every single one of us purchase them all the time. My number one pick for most useful item to buy at a sale is—the light bulb. Specifically LED and floodlights. Those bulbs can cost between $4 and $10 new. Estate sale prices: 25¢ to 75¢ each.
brownbutton.com sales@brownbutton.com Facebook Brown Button Pinterest BrownButtonCo Instagram brown_button Twitter brown_button YouTube thebrownbutton
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vintagekc summer 2015
diy ^ craft
Wor ld
We’re jumping on the map d é cor bandwagon, and loving it! Map Your
RESOURCES: Hobby Lobby (1), Dollar Tree (2), Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft (3), maps from Half Price Books and estate sales
10 vintagekc summer 2015
TRIPLE TOWN Create a wall grouping with maps of your neighborhood and city. Tie them all together with a coordinating backing paper. Frames (2); “you are here” cutout (3); striped paper (1).
The “Kansas” Antique Shop What antique shops were meant to be NOW LOCATED IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN EMPORIA 317 COMMERCIAL ST. Specializing in authentic antiques full of history, character, charm and craftsmanship.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10am-5pm 620.412.2759 • paper-moon-antiques.com
MAGNETIC FIELD This simple metal tray serves a new purpose with a little paint, a map and painted magnetic letters. Tray and letters (2).
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diy ^ craft
TRAVEL LIGHT Map your local, national or world ad- ventures with an easy light display. Punch through all the places you’ve been with a pencil and poke lights through. Foam board (2); battery-powered LED string lights (1).
LOVE TRIP Document your
love of travel with cutouts pasted to a simple chalkboard. Use a chalk pen to write your own memorable message. Chalkboard (2); chalk pen (1).
LOST LOVE Send your love a reminder of what they mean to you with this handmade card. Card stock (1); words and heart printed.
One block west Antiques & Collectibles
Vintage, primitive, rusted, funky
Front Porch Antiques 534 N. Main | Ot tawa, KS | 785-242-6355 Mon-Sat 10-5 | Sun 11-5
20S. GoldSt., Paola, KS Open M-F 10-6 & Sat 10-5
oneblockwestantiques.com dconeblockwest@gmail.com 913-294-8499
Chosen Best Antique Shop for 6 Years!
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HELLO WORLD Create your own statement with a spin on the globe trend. We printed these words on printable stickers and painted the whole globe with craft paint. You may need to do some paint cleanup on the letters, but the paint easily scratches off. Add embellishments and display on a bookshelf or desk. Globe from Sparks Flea Market; zeppelin, craft paint, stickers (1); for flower tutorial, turn the page.
Front Porch Antiques Christie’s Market Antiques Our House Runneth Over Antiques Country Living Classic Elements Vintage Main Street Antiques and Furniture Papa’s Attic Antiques and Memorabilia Ottawa Antique Mall Starting Over Sugar Creek Boutique
The Pink Suitcase Primitive Treasures Zoe’s Bowtique
Franklin County Visitor’s Bureau | visitottawakansas.com/antiques Ottawa Main Street Association | ottawamainstreet.org Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce | ottawakansas.org Download the Ottawa app: Search “Ottawa KS”
GO BOLDLY Make any statement your heart desires with large letter cutouts. Watch for sales on these types of letters at craft stores, they are frequently marked 50 percent off. These cost just $1 each. Trace and cut the let- ters out of a large map and affix with Mod Podge. Add hangers to the backs or lean on a shelf. Stand-up letters are also available. Letters (1).
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diy ^ craft
STICK A CORK IN IT Keep track of your favorite pictures or your to-do list in style. Print state templates and trace onto cork (we found this painted cork in a circle on clearance). Using an Exacto knife, cut the states out and tie them together with a heart for your Kansas City love. For the heart, we simply flipped over a pieces of cork and painted it with craft paint. Hang using Command strips or add them to a larger cork board. Cork mat (1). MAPS IN BLOOM Making paper flowers isn’t as difficult as one might think. For this simple rosette design, cut 6in. x 6 in. squares from maps. Cut those squares into spirals, squaring off the outside end. Start rolling tightly from the outside end so that the center of your spiral acts as a cap on the bottom of the flower. Secure the flower on the bottom with hot glue. Once dry, add flowers as embellish- ments (see globe on previous page), or stick them on inexpensive floral stems (this stem group only cost $1; we easily removed the previous flowers.) Plastic stems (2).
St. Joseph Auction and Antique Market
Open 10 am to 6 pm daily We carry Fiesta seconds!
3600 S. Leonard Rd. St. Joseph, MO 816-279-4310 stjosephantiques.com
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NATIONAL MESSAGE Put calligraphy skills to use with this project that spans the whole country. Daily inspiration included. Hang your project in a unique way with a thrift store hanger.
ADVENTURE TIME Document your journey by cutting out individual states you’ve lived in and adding a printed message. Watch for framed pictures to go on sale as they are sometimes cheaper than empty frames. Frame (1).
1
15,000 Sq. Ft. • 125 Vendors
You’re Invited! June 13, 2015 Join us as we celebrate year one! Open house, food, giveaways & fun!
SHAWNEE ANTIQUE MALL
7410 Nieman, Shawnee, KS 913-499-7688 Mon-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-6
SAM
Teeker
Follow SAM and Teeker’s adventures on Facebook
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^ vintage spaces
FOR THE RECORD Two tastes collide in a beautiful way in Brookside
Words SAMANTHA COLLINS Photos JILL DIMARTINO
ohnny Starke was born about 20 years too late and it shows. Instead of pining over the new and modern, he would rather dig through dusty, stained movie posters or records at a second-hand store. With his slicked-back dark hair and scruff, Johnny is a wannabe love child of the 1960s British mod culture—think young men in geometric-printed suits riding Italian motor scooters around London stopping to see the latest jazz group. He and wife Marissa, along with their furry felines Desmond and Nico, aren’t afraid to show off their unique, meshed style in their 1920s Brookside home. J
Mid-century chairs and a chrome lamp are the perfect additions to the Starke’s living room.
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The “Green Room” serves not just as a dining room, but also as storage for Johnny and Marissa’s vast collection of hundreds of DVDs. It is also home to quirky art (yes, including a fart- ing duck), and a rug perfect for Desmond the cat’s cat naps.
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Johnny and Marissa’s living room is a perfectly comfortable retreat for
watching one of the DVDs from their collection of hundreds. Vintage
skateboards and records complete the 1960s vibe.
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The Starke’s turned one upstairs bedroom into a record room/closet. Johnny’s late father’s speakers pump out the sounds of roughly 14,000 LPs and 45s.
“I need everything to be symmetrical to make sense, and for Ma- rissa, chaos means balance,” Johnny said. “We don’t even really know what to call our style. But it’s a perfect mix between the two of us.” When Marissa bought the house five years ago, she had no idea what she was getting herself into. It was a foreclosure with 10 healthy layers of lead paint on every wall, dingy carpet on every square-foot of the floor, and had a tight, closed-in floor plan. There was barely any room for a couple of chairs in the living room, let alone a couch. “I was very naïve when I bought this house,” Marissa said. “It needed some serious elbow grease.”
The two are self-proclaimed “passion-workers” with Johnny work- ing in film and music, and Marissa working in art, and they weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. Johnny knocked down walls to expand the living room. They stripped layers of paint to expose beautiful orig- inal dark wood molding around the windows, fireplace and stairway. Underneath the carpet lied almost-perfect original hardwood floors with just a few scratches to give them character. The kitchen had four or five layers of flooring to remove. The whole house took a few years to get it to where it is now. And it’s still constantly changing. “Thank God for Youtube,” Johnny said. “We just had to take it step by step.”
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Marissa hand-painted the trees in the stairway at left. After removing five layers of old flooring, the bright galley kitchen is an inviting space to prepare meals. Succulents in IKEA planters mix vintage and new.
When walking through the house, there’s one—or rather multiple—thing visitors can’t ignore: Almost every inch of their walls is covered in old-time movie memorabilia thanks to Jonny’s avid collecting. Old, framed lobby cards, which are mini-movie posters from the early to mid-1900s, fill most of the space. Johnny said he would always stop at second-hand shops as he traveled to look for pieces to collect. Many of them are scribbled something along the lines of “To Johnny, with love from [insert director’s name here]. Whenever he found a lobby card, he would usually try to find the director or a producer for a signature. “I fan-boy out when it comes to that kind of thing,” Johnny said. “Each one I find has a different story from the past and it’s fascinating.” The “green room,” which they lovingly call the dining room because of its green paint by Marissa’s doing, has almost two entire walls covered with custom- built shelves dedicated to hundreds of DVDs ranging from the cult-classics to more modern films that coincide with Johnny’s retro style. Smack dab in the center of one wall is a life-size white plastic deer head that stoically looks over the dining table. Considering that both Johnny and Marissa are vegans, the deer head seems to be quite out of place, but that’s the point. Another conversation- piece worth mentioning is the piece of art called “Duck Farts,” and yes, it is liter- ally a farting cartoon duck. Marissa said she found the charmingly gassy duck during First Fridays in the West Bottoms and just had to have it. “I originally thought it would go in the bathroom, for obvious reasons,” Marissa said. “But then we thought, no, we need to put it in the dining room. It belongs in the dining room.”
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One of Johnny and Marissa’s closets is the perfect picture of organization and order featuring IKEA cabinets.
Before and After: When we first shot Johnny and Marissa’s house. the room next to their bedroom looked like the above image. When we came back, the view from the bedroom was completely different, with a door removed and IKEA closet cabinets that Johnny installed himself.
Through the kitchen and out the back door, the backyard used to be home to a few dirt mounds and over-grown weeds. Marissa put her green- thumb to good use and built planter beds for some home-grown veggies. In the back stands a custom-built storage shed made out of material from the local Habitat for Humanity Restore. Inside Johnny’s so-called “man cave” sits a few more of Johnny’s vintage-inspired col- lections: mid-century Italian motor-scooters, no, not mopeds, scooters. Johnny started to collect scooters at the age of 18. His love of them stemmed from his endearment of the 1960s “mod” culture, where young men who couldn’t afford Italian sports cars often drove Italian scooters instead. At one time, Johnny owned almost 30 Italian scooters he wanted to refurbish. But, once he met Marissa, a few had to go. He said these scooters were common
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Johnny’s collection of vintage scooters are housed in a structure built from materials from Habitat for Humanity Restore. He once owned about 30 scooters that he found and restored, but let some go for the best reason: love. He rides all of the ones that remain.
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among Kansas farmers, surpris- ingly. Sears used to sell them as “American-made” to help boost sales. He said he could find a beaten-down scooter in the middle of nowhere, USA, for about $200, and then essentially flip it for a great profit. He now has just a handful of scooters, and yes, he rides every single one of them. “None of my scooters are too sacred to ride,” Johnny said. “Be- cause where’s the fun in that?” Back into the house, through the 1950s-inspired light-blue kitchen and up the stairs, past the hand-painted black and white forest Marissa created on the hallway wall, and to the left resides yet another one of Johnny’s past times—his record
collection. He owns thousands upon thousands of records and record labels. He says he has roughly 10,000 45s and about 4,000 LPs. Johnny owns the Teenage Heart Stateside Distro record company and with it he’s trying to introduce the Jamaican jazz sound to Kansas City. He says it’s so much more than Bob Marley like people usually think. He produces the catchy music and works as a DJ to promote his sound. He thanks his late father for turning him onto the sweet
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^ designing with deb
Can I Get Mid-Century Mod On The Cheap?
he simple answer is: There is no simple answer. The term “Midcentury Modern” was part of a book title from 1984 (“Midcentury Modern: Furniture of the 1950s”)—something the author just made up to describe and sell her book, as the “look” was experiencing a resurgence at that time. And much like our fascina- tion with that look, the term stuck. It also proves the old adage that everything old is new again, as in the fact that the mid-century vibe is in its third incarna- tion—at least. Not that it has ever gone out of vogue; think airport furniture, Knoll T
office furniture, so many of the great designs that came out of that era were created for a post-war, anti-frill sensibility and have never lost ground. You add to that the 2007 premier of Don Draper and his band of “Mad Men” (and women) —bring on at least round three of the mid-century modern move. Now, there is a reason for my brief history lesson. As everything gains in popularity, no matter how many times it goes round, the market can become saturated, prices skyrocket, everyone has their version and price-point— hence mid-century modern on the cheap isn’t easy but can be curated with time and patience. There is the obvious Swedish big box store where every- thing is made of laminated MDF (remember: everything has its place). You also have many furniture makers jumping on board with their own offerings recreating the look. You can find a variety of pricing on both fronts. For trying to find the real thing: Never hesitate to make the trek to your local flea markets, vintage shops, garage sales, estate sales and on¬line sites. But as you know, with the mega interest created in recent years, people tend to know what they have and want to cash in on their heirloom pieces. This is where your patience and tenacity come in. Don’t be afraid to pick up (for a steal) those pieces that may have a little rust, some rips, blemishes in general, because with a little time and effort you can restore those pieces to their full glory. Now for achieving the look: Architecturally speaking, mid-century modern has clean, smooth, simple lines. You will find lots of wood, and not just in your furniture—on the walls or the ceiling. Mirror a wall in your dining room. Use white as the ultimate backdrop for those bright colors and graphic prints in the furniture fabrics. No skirts on upholstered furni- ture—don’t be afraid of showing a little leg. No—a lot of leg—peg legs. Take an existing cocktail table and add peg legs to it. These you can find at flea markets or architectural salvage places. When accessorizing, remember those amazing sunburst mirrors and clocks! Some kind of metal sculpture for your wall is a must. Keep it light and airy. If you can’t find or afford the real thing there are tons of fantastic reproductions on the market. The same is true with light fixtures—just the right pendant light, chandelier or lamps can totally set the mood of the space. Ashtrays of that era (don’t worry, the smoke smell is gone by now) make an awesome mini table sculpture. Set a rotary phone in a bright color on a telephone table from the era. And last but not least, a bar cart is a must, with all its accouterments: a drink shaker and funky little cocktail glasses. Most importantly, don’t forget to use your space. Bring on the skinny ties and the red lipstick!
Marissa has a green thumb, and we caught her garden just as it was beginning to bloom. More vegetables will fill out the grand garden box as summer continues, and the Starke’s frequent their DIY fire pit.
sounds of vinyl, noting jazz, British mod, and especially Jamaican. Johnny still owns his father’s original speakers and uses them to listen to his records. “Finding those records and bringing them back to life is such a big part of what I do with my records,” Johnny said. “They’re a time capsule, a perfect snapshot of the Fifties and Sixties. I feel like I am listening to these records with my dad again.” Marissa and Johnny plan to stay in the house for some time to come, not only because they hate moving, but because they made this house into something they love. Although Marissa would love to live in a grander, turn-of-the-century home with hundred-year-old trees lining a driveway, there are no plans to move any time soon. “This house just became us,” Johnny said. “I feel like this house was meant for us.”
^
^
-Deb
Samantha is a freelance writer and editor in Kansas City. She’s a recent University of Kansas journalism graduate (go Jayhawks!) who can be found buried in a good book, travelling around the country or just wandering around Kansas City.
Deb Vogler has been creating her own brand of Comfort by Design for more than 15 years. She deals with all aspects of design, from budgeting, to floor plans (renovation or new construction), to furniture, to color at her full-scale design firm. Have a designing question for Deb? Send it to debvogler@msn.com.
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^ vintage fashion
Photos/Hair/Makeup VIXEN PINUP PHOTOGRAPHY Models AMBER ROSS, SHANNON O’SHEA, GILL WILLIAMS, ERIC FITZPATRICK, VOICES& MODEL AND TALENT AGENCY Swimwear VINTAGE VOGUE APPAREL; VIXEN PINUP PHOTOGRAPHY; QUINN WHITE Concept and Styling CALLI GREEN
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Maker Memo: Quinn White Last spring, I went
searching for a unique warm-weather project and found a gem of a pattern: Going Swim- ming in Stitchcraft magazine, 1949. I used Cascade Fixation to create a stretchy material (donated by stevenbe.com), which is the thinnest yarn I had ever worked with. Coupled with size 1 needles (itty-itty-bitty), this made for a time-consuming project. Additionally, I faced quite the learning curve as I familiarized myself with the era’s unique abbreviations, terms and methods. The process nearly drove me mad, but the high- contrast chevron and the beautiful shape of the piece kept me going. In the end, I was convinced that those mid-century knitters had quite a few more tricks up their sleeves than me—and, perhaps, a little more time on their hands.
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^ vintage events
DIY Wedding Kristen Schuler comes from a long line of DIY-minded women, so DIY-ing her own wedding was a no-brainer!
VKC: Why DIY? Kristen: My mind automatically goes to DIY when I have a task at hand. I come from a long line of DIY-minded women. We wanted a unique wedding that fit our personalities and our budget. My husband was very involved in the planning process. He focused on the logistical planning and I primarily focused on the DIY décor. VKC: What feel did you want for your wedding? Kristen: I was looking for a timeless vintage feel but wanted it to be very simple, casual and relaxed. I think we pulled it off! VKC: What project was the most fun? Kristen: I loved making the kissing balls that lined the aisles. I asked that in lieu of gifts, my bridal shower attendees come prepared to cut 100s of little fabric circles that would eventually be assembled into the decorations. We had so much fun doing it and knowing that my friends helped to make them made the decorations that much more special. VKC: The most challenging? Kristen: We live in Kansas City but the wedding was in Branson, MO. There were a lot of challenges with transporting the supplies from re- gion to region. We have family in the Springfield, MO, area so we were able to drop-off some items ahead of time.
VKC: The easiest? Kristen: Choosing the music. We both made a short list of songs that we wanted to hear during the ceremony and the reception. My husband was a wedding DJ during college so he handled this task with exceptional ease. We also had so many friends that offered to help out. My friend Sarah made 100s of macaroon cookies as well as our wedding cake. My other friend Amy lent her vocal and ukulele skills during the ceremony. Several other crafty friends chipped in and helped with various aspects of the day. VKC: The most inexpensive? Kristen: While the food was definitely a major expense, we spent much less than most people do by serving Pizza Hut at the dinner. It was truly one of the best decisions we made. It was a hit with our guests (who are still talking about it) and it kept the playful and casual vibe flowing. VKC: The most expensive? Kristen: Renting out the winery and paying for the tent were some of our top expenses. VKC: The most surprisingly time-consuming? Kristen: My mom was a professional seamstress when I was a little girl. She made wedding dresses and prom gowns that were very detailed and mind-blowing. I knew that she had been waiting to
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Kristen tracked her DIY wedding process via Instagram. Top row: Boutonnieres await lapels; special messages were hidden in lockets for bridesmaids; and coloring books were gifts for the flower girls. Second row: Boutonnieres were miniature versions of bouquets; Kristen’s stitchery work is everywhere; and the wedding gown, made by Kristen’s mother, in process with pattern. Third row: Hand embroidery for the groom’s mother; kissing balls in purples and teals were made by friends and hung on the chairs along the aisle; from felted balls (purchased on Etsy), Kristen made her bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets, boutonnieres for the guys and about 20 centerpieces. Left: Kristen’s hand-stitchced tablecloth for the her and Adam’s reception table.
For more pictures from Kristen and Adam’s wedding, follow @mydearpaul on Instagram.
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From right: The dessert table is deliciously DIY; simple, delicate felt flowers adorned the reception tables; guests dropped well wishes in a vintage suitcase; vintage table settings graced the bride and groom’s table; hand-painted signs directed guests around the Branson, MO, venue; and wedding programs came with streamers, which were used
to celebrate Kristen and Adam.
make a wedding dress for one of her daughters for the past 30 years. I found a pattern for a simple dress online and mailed it to her. She ordered the fabric and turned the simple dress into the wedding dress of my dreams. She lives about 5 hours away so we did the dress in stages, doing fittings during holidays and family gatherings. It was very time consuming, but it was a very special experience to have my mom make my dress.
VKC: What was the best part of your wedding day? Kristen: Walking down the aisle and seeing my husband-to-be stand- ing at the altar. Seriously, I can’t even explain that feeling and it literally took my breath away. VKC: Did your wedding turn out exactly how you envisioned? Kristen: Though our vision of the wedding day really changed
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throughout the planning process, in the end, the wedding turned out to be much of how we envisioned it. It was absolutely the most wonderful day. VKC: What advice would you give to other DIY brides (and grooms!)? Kristen: It’s important to know when to say “when” with the DIY. Know that there will be things that you will have to buy or delegate. Avoid the goal of a 100-percent DIY wedding, but focus on the small touches that you can add buy doing some things yourself. ^
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do ^ thriftcycle
Difficulty EASY Time MILD Cost MILD
Upcycled
ost drawers can come from furniture, bath- room, kitchens, Drawer L From the kitchen to the garden
etc. But just because they don’t have a home any- more doesn’t mean they have to go to the dump. We lined this drawer that came out of a kitchen with some vintage wallpa- per samples we found at an estate sale. Mod Podge did the trick. We also lined some tin cans with the same paper. Throw in some garden tools and gloves and this handy shelf is the perfect addition to inside gardening shed, hang- ing on a fence or on the outside of a shed. Tools will be at the ready for all your potting, planting, digging, snipping and pulling needs. You could even add a small piece of wood to create a shelf within a shelf for more storage.
^
PROJECT KEY
Difficulty MILD: 1-2 steps MODERATE: 2-4 steps MOST: 4+ steps
Time MILD: Hours MODERATE: 2-3 days MOST: 3+ days
Cost MILD: Under $10 MODERATE: $10-$25 MOST: $25+
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HOME REMEDY a new series coming this fall vintagekcmag.com/homeremedy
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do ^ craft
Our creative people take on unique embroidery hoop projects ome people might say we have an embroidery hoop obsession. Whenever we pass these stitching circles at estate sales (frequently for less than $1), we snatch them up like they possess magic pow- ers. In our hearts, they kind of do: Their vast versatility and easy craft-ability will win us over any day. Hoop Dreams S
For this project, I decided to use four, 12in. hoops for this project, but you could use pretty much any size, depending on what kind of bulb you will be using for the light. First, I loosened the hoops just a little, and placed three within each other, tightening as needed to create a sphere. Once I had them positioned so that they created equal negative spaces on each side, I screwed
them together at the top and bottomwhere all three rings meet. After that, I used only the outer ring of the fourth hoop to posi- tion around the sphere at the center, and then tightened it to secure in place. Finally, I spray painted the entire sphere gold and attached it to a hanging light kit that I purchased at a local home improvement store. I think it’s a fabulous, inexpensive industrial pendant!
Abbie, The Marshall Made Co. marshallmade.co
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I inherited quite a few hoops from my great grand- ma, and use them in unexpected ways throughout my home. There are so many possibilities! I love the vintage feel of cameos, so I created one of our daughter, Vivienne. I printed it on heavy paper stock, cut slits around the edges of the art, and it folded nicely into the hoop (see the complete tutorial on my blog). I also created a baby mobile for less than $5 using a hoop, spray paint, fishing line, scrapbook paper, a glue stick and my sewing machine.
Audrey, Oh So Lovely ohsolovelyblog.com
Showcase spring and summer’s blooms with this easy-to-make sun catcher. Made with pressed flowers and leaves layered be- tween two sheets of wax paper and secured in an embroidery hoop, putting the sun catcher together is easy. What takes a little longer—but is well worth it—is pressing the flowers. If
you haven’t made your own pressed flowers before, it’s a fun way to preserve flora. Simply, line the pages of a book with tissue paper, place your flowers in the middle and stick the book back on a shelf between other books or under a few heavy volumes. Let the flowers press (and dry) for five to seven days. Hang your sun catcher in a window to catch the light.
Kirsten, Red Leaf Style redleafstyle.com
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do ^ crafty
I’m in love with the succulent and air plant trends in home decor right
now. I thought that combining air plants with
an embroidery hoop would make a super simple yet modern wreath to hang on your wall or front door. I used a sharpie and a strip of white fabric to create the welcome sign. After sandwiching it between the two hoops and pulling it tight, I used hot glue to secure the fabric to the back of the hoop. Then, I simply used more hot glue to attach some faux air plants and feathers to create my beautiful wreath!
Megan, Homemade Ginger homemadeginger.com
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Dream in color with this handmade dream catcher, made from an 18in. painted embroidery hoop wrapped in coordinating yarn. Colorful beads and natural fibers add texture and interest. Fabric leaves and natural driftwood pieces finish the look. Perfectly sized for a bedroom wall, it would also make an unexpected pop of color hanging on your front door.
Jamie, Kolorize kolorize.etsy.com
Follow @vintagekc on Pinterest for more crafting inspiration. Everything from offices to kitchens, from weddings to fashion, from lights to do-it-yourself projects. If it’s vintage or awesome or funny or helpful, we’re pinning it. Come join us!
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do ^ crafty
In the words of Foo Fighters’ singer Dave Grohl: “I’ve got another confession to make ...”
Guys, I had a big ol’ Pinter- est fail with my first embroi- dery hoop project. I tried to make those super-cool, melted pony bead sun catchers. The ones you spend hours making designs like
airplanes in the sky and hearts with your son. The ones you carefully watch as they melt on the grill while trying to avoid toxic fumes because the 5-15 minute melt time in the instructions is vague. The ones that suddenly burst into flames on said grill scaring me half to death, nearly burning the neighborhood down, and leaving a charred mess for a broken-hearted mommy and son. But never fear, we roll with the punches and ran straight to my favorite scrap fabric store Fabric Recycles and grabbed some varying shades of red, white and blue to make this simple ombré wreath for our front door. My son had fun picking out all the fabric, and I’ll feel ex- tra patriotic this July. Not bad for a backup plan. Erin, editor VintageKC Magazine
maker memo: Krist n Shuler We couldn’t talk about embroidery hoops without mentioning one of our favorite local stitchers, Kristen Shuler from Hey Paul Studios. Kristen won us over early on with her “I Love Your Guts” anatomical stitchery. She has since grown her Etsy business to include a local happy-hour gathering of
Since my son’s arrival five months ago, I can only seem to complete projects that revolve around him! This mobile is made with an embroidery hoop,
stitchers called Eat Drink Stitch. Join the Eat Drink
clear jewelry string, hot glue and colorful paper cut-outs. I chose to cut the paper into little hexagons as a subtle nod to my favorite board game, hoping to influence the little guy toward my kind of fun later in life.
Stitch group on Facebook to follow the fun.
Follow Kristen on Instagram: @heypaul
Quinn, Ktog ktogether.wordpress.com
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I always hate throwing thank you cards away
just because there is nowhere to put them. My fridge is always cluttered with
to-do lists and school pictures, anything else will surely get lost in that mess. Making a catch-all for notes, cards and small pictures seemed to be the best bet for me and my space. I love the way this easy project turned out! It cost next to nothing, and only took 15 minutes. This would be a great project for children or even DIY beginners. Just grab an embroi- dery hoop, yarn, thumbtacks, (I chose embellished tacks with white studs attached) some mini clothes pins and that’s it!
Calli, fashion director VintageKC Magazine
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