Life is Like a Bowl of Peaches

09/24/2009

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We got four of these bowls at an antique store recently. Thirty minutes prior we found 3 matching saucers at a thrift store on the same street. In May we found a matching pitcher at a yard sale. Last fall we found 2 pitchers, a dinner plate, a saucer and 5 tea cups in green in the same pattern at an estate sale. So it seems we have a bit of an unusual collection developing here.

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The pitcher on the right now belongs to my good friend and fellow MCM home owner. (Rê, I forgot to give you the lid!)

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(Sorry, the above pic is really flashed out.) What drives me crazy is that I can’t figure out who makes these! There is no maker’s mark on the bottom and I’ve tried searching for mid-century dinnerware dishes scalloped half-circle pattern glazed gold green ceramic … and every combination of those words with no avail. Has anyone ever seen these?? Please help!

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Posted by mahlbrandt

The Comeback Kid

09/23/2009

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Monday night hubby and I had the honor of attending a CD preview party for B. Reith with a co-worker. (One of the perks of working for CCM.) I discovered who he is last week (through CCM’s July issue) and Jason and I quickly became fans. B.’s music is a mix of rapping and pop singing with catchy hooks (like Jason Mraz) and hip-hop beats. He can’t decide which he prefers so he does it all and it works!

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A friend of a friend hooked up up with his new CD Now is Not Forever, which just came out on Tuesday. It’s quite a diverse mix of musical styles. You can check out his music on myspace. My self-control faltered a little as I snapped a fanarazzi picture of tobyMac and B. Reith with my phone. I’ll refrain from posting it.

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Retro Starburst Clock

09/22/2009

I’ve been looking for an authentic mid-century modern starburst clock for the dining room since we moved into our house 2 and a half years ago. Oh, I can find ’em … on eBay for $70-200. But I’m looking for the ≤$20 version— the kind you find at yard sales or thrift stores or in your grandma’s basement. Speaking of yard sales, we got this modern, plastic, imitation retro clock for $3 (talked down from $5 … we’re such cheapskates).

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Jase surprised me the other day (I LOVE surprises!) by spray painting the clock face and spokes, installing new hands (the originals looked really cheap) and putting the whole thing back together. I really love how it looks now.

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But, of course, this is just temporary until we find an authentic “atomic” clock. (Like that alliteration?) And in typical Jason-and-Martina-fashion, we’ll most likely find a steal on the antique real deal and sell the modern imitation for 3-4x more money on craigslist or eBay. Cuz that’s how we roll.

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We decided to go with the white chairs in the dining room rather than the blue ones.

2 Comments | Art, Art: interior design, Art: mid-century design, Art: modern design | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

Judge a Book by its Cover

09/21/2009

Have I ever mentioned that I actually have a real full-time job? I mean besides collecting MCM junk from dark, dusty corners of the earth? Besides baking sweet treats and crafting? Well I do … I have a very cool job as graphic designer and art director at a Christian publishing (magazines & websites) company.

For part of my job, I collect a bunch of images of covers for books, movies and CDs that are being reviewed for a youth worker resource guide. There is a lot of good design out there, especially that which is targeted towards young professionals. And sadly, there is a lot of mediocre design, too. Occasionally a book cover design really stands out to me. Here are a few good ones from my latest collection:

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Ok, so the first one isn’t really that special. But isn’t that umbrella cute? Fun rain gear makes rainy days so much better. The second one isn’t super cool either but I do like the use of texture mixed with sleek graphics.

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I like this third one because I’m a minimalist and I like that the font is uncommon AND the title placement is creative. I’m a fan of the watercolor map of the world on the Matt Papa cover. I tried to do something once with watercolors on one of my hubby’s band’s CD design and it didn’t come out anywhere near this cool.

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My whole point in writing this post was to celebrate this fifth book cover. I love it! It’s got several things going for it: 1. Nice use of texture & color & depth, 2. Good hierarchy & order, 3. ORIGINAL illustration (I am so sick of seeing stock photos used on book covers!) and—what really did it for me— 4. Unique typeface. It’s so nice to see something other than the typical sans serif fonts used on a book cover.

Isn’t it lovely? Have you seen any particularly good book covers lately?

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Drive-By Shooting (MCM Architecture)

09/20/2009

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Location: NW Nashville/Bordeaux

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Phone Photo Friday

09/18/2009

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Leaf Season

09/17/2009

Everytime hubby and I are looking for mid-century modern treasures we’re hoping an older couple in our neighborhood — you know, the ones who have been living there for 40 or 50 years and keep everything in pristine condition — will be having a yard sale. Last weekend we struck gold at a 1960’s split level. Jason is pretty excited about this leaf eater that we got for $5:

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Who would want a leaf blower when you could have a leaf sucker?

I’m pleased with this Corningware blue flower coffee percolator I got for $2. I’m going to see if it will work with loose leaf tea.

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And I also got a cookie press with lots of accessories and an egg slicer for $1. I’m looking forward to making my own spritz cookies this Christmas!

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Posted by mahlbrandt

Wise Words

09/16/2009

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“Find out what you love to do and you will never have to work another day in your life.” – James Huxlely(?)

For my birthday-guy who has never given up on following his dreams and has continuously encouraged me to find a way to make a living doing what I love. (This is one of his favorite quotes.)

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Posted by mahlbrandt

¡Feliz Cumpleaños!

09/16/2009

My Mexican-food-loving husband turns 27 today! Words cannot express how much I love this man. He is hard-working, creative, thoughtful, discerning, smart, talented, funny… Maybe more than anything else Jason is passionate. Passionate about music, passionate about God, passionate about art, passionate about loving people, passionate about living life to the fullest. He is an all-around great guy and I consider myself very honored to be his wife.

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We started the birthday celebration last night with dinner at Cinco de Mayo where Jason gracefully endured wearing the giant sombrero and getting whipped cream smeared on his face while the waiters sang happy birthday – all for the sake of a free dessert. I think it was worth it.

Happy Birthday baby! I love you!

1 Comment | Family, Family: Jason | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

“Hey, where do you keep your coffee, sugar and flour?”

09/15/2009

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That’s a running joke in this house thanks to our funny friend Matt.

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This is not a new MCM find but I don’t think I’ve blogged about it before. Jasey and I found this canister set at a yard sale earlier this summer marked for $3.

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The owners offered to sell it to us for $2. I would have been thrilled to pay full price!

1 Comment | Art, Art: Cooking, Art: interior design, Art: mid-century design | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by mahlbrandt

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