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pam kueber - December 19, 2011, Updated: November 28, 2012
Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
Not only are Retro Renovation readers inventive and inspirational decorators, but quite a few of you are darn good photographers, too. From our recent spree uploading photos of our vintage holiday decorations, I curated some delightful photos. Above: No name contributor for Northern California — fabulous photo! You may identify yourself and receive your applause, dear reader. Click on through for 11 more twinkly happy holiday photos from around our retro wonderland. –>
George Nelson bubble lamp (with levitating ornaments) meets 1960s Imperial Arctic Star aluminum Christmas tree.
This is super clever from that super clever Uncle Atom: Get out those Christmas albums (or: ANOTHER thing to collect) and hang ’em behind the tree. I WANT A MERRY BRADY CHRISTMAS album. P.S. Luv the knottyish pine.
Betty Crafter’s living room is so much fun. Why do I think there is never a dull moment in this household?
Bradford Tree Topper. These are i-phone images, right? Lord help me, really, I can barely work the computer and the camera I have much less learn i-phone apps.
Overall, Louisa gets my prize this year for her photo submissions (she had a few more lovely photos). WISH I could bite right into one of these. I could NEVER do this!
This one just made me laugh. Pixies are the best. To anyone who says kitsch is silly, I say: “Bite me.” Seriously, I want to run for President, just so I can say, to opponents and media when they try to get me with their gotcha’s: “Bite me.”
Yes: Buy one or two of something and it’s clutter. Buy 3 or more, and it’s a collection. I love how color unifies all of these Arctic creatures.
This is a great collection idea from Jenny O:Vintage Christmas cards from estate sales.
Yikes! Yum! And don’t miss the ornaments strung from above. This reader has it goin’ on! P.S. Love the knotty on the ceiling.
Beth gets props for her vintage elves and for her i-phone photo, too.
All in, these friend and family photos are always my favorites. Folks at home, mile-wide smiles. Oh my word, this is what it’s all about.
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Reader Interactions
34 comments
Comments
Steven Hollifield says
Hi Pam, Wonderful photos! Makes me remember when I was a kid in the 50’s. They make me feel like I’m there again!
James J (aka Jim the Nog) says
Hey Pam – Nor Cal Mid Mod Xmas here . . . glad you like my photo! I am the photographer and proud owner of the “Imperial Arctic Star” aluminum tree (as well as the lovely lab & turquoise sofa). I used hipstamatic on my iPhone & just started taking random shots after the tree was up.Thanks for your great site and for posting all the wonderful retro modern holiday decor! Living and loving the Mid Mod life style in Nor Cal! Happy Holidaze!
pam kueber says
See AlsoEggnog SnickerdoodlesThank you, James J aka Jim the Nog! LUV that photo!!!!
Sherree says
Pam, thanks for posting my photo as well! Those are my pixies on the square shelves/green wall. I get so many ideas from your site! Thanks for all your hard work; Merry Christmas to you!
pam kueber says
Thank you, Sherree — pixies RULE! xoxo
Jay says
Love the blown up pamovision pictures with commentary. I wish all the pictures in the gallery could be enlarged while viewing, I like to see all the ornaments that are on the trees. I guess you have to call it kitsch but to me it’s Vintage, I grew up with so much of this stuff in the 60s and still have the tree ornaments plus other stuff I have collected. Heck I had to go out and buy a big blow-mold santa at the hardware store. I thought it was appropriate for a 57 ranch, along with the plastic ivory colored candoliers in the windows. The new stuff in the big box stores don’t cut it. I still mourn the passing of Woolworths – great Christmas items. Happy holidays to all. This is my favorite stop on the web.
pam kueber says
Jay, all of the photos in the galleries should blow up right big — ?
Jay says
Well, they enlarge; but only to roughly 3″ x 3″. I want them to be like Flicker albums or like what you have above – really big. I must be doing something wrong on my computer.
pam kueber says
I can see them humongous…. what kind of monitor/computer do you have. Thanks for sharing – helps me troubleshoot…
Jay says
It’s a Toshiba laptop with windows7, it must be something in the way my computer is set up.
pam kueber says
Yes, I think it must be…
Dear Helen Hartman says
All the silver trees are groovy but those elves are freakin’ me out, man.
pam kueber says
Yes, the elves pixies are the peaches, aren’t they?
Nina462 says
oh – I forgot to mention, thanks for posting the pictures from last year – I forgot how my house was decorated. Yikes, had to find a few things – now, I’m all set.
nina462 says
very nice – love the dog picture. I still like my picture on last years submission of my kitty looking over baby Jesus in the outdoor nativity.
I was thinking of my Dad today (RIP) and how he loved Yogi Yorgerson music. So I had to go to youtube and find, I yust go nuts at Christmas and the Yingle Bells. Laughed till I cried! The Christmas Party by Yogi also good (quite Mad Men sexist, if you know what I mean, wink,nod).
Thanks for sharing the retro love!
nina462 says
if you want some 60’s Christmas love (&decor) look up Riu, riu Chia by the Monkees. Lovely decor on youtube!
Kimberj says
Merry Christmas Pam and all you other mid centers! Wishing all of you a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous, Fun 2012 and may all your Retro Treasure Hunting bring you exactly what you want!!!
pam kueber says
You, too, Kimberj!
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