Sizzling Summer Style: Mid-Century & Atomic That Turns Heads

This summer has been full of firsts, fun, and fabulous mid-century atomic vignettes! Gary and I had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with two incredible antique shops right here in Sonoma County—Antique Harvest in Healdsburg and Antique Society in Sebastopol—to bring a little of our mid-century magic to their spaces. From window styling to themed showroom vignettes, we’ve been diving headfirst into the world of visual merchandising, and the response has been absolutely heartwarming!

A Retro Road Trip Window at Antique Harvest, Healdsburg

Antique Harvest Mid-Century Modern Atomic
Antique Harvest Mid-Century Modern Atomic

Let’s start in Healdsburg, where we had the absolute privilege of collaborating with the incredible Carol Eagle, who owns Antique Harvest along with her husband Phil. Carol is truly the heart and soul of the shop—and one of the kindest, most generous people you’ll ever meet. Her deep knowledge of antiques, estate jewelry, and mid-century treasures is only matched by her sharp wit and warm, joyful spirit.

Carol brings so much care and humor into everything she does, and she’s the kind of shop owner who goes above and beyond to support her dealers—always cheering them on, sharing insights, and creating a welcoming space where everyone thrives.

Antique Harvest Mid-Century Modern Atomic
Antique Harvest Mid-Century Modern Atomic

Designing the Mid-Century Summer Vacation window display with Carol was an absolute highlight for Gary and I. She’s a true vintage visionary and even contributed some fabulous pieces of her own, including atomic barware, classic 1950s books, and original records that added nostalgic depth and character to the scene. It was a beautiful collaboration that transformed the front of the shop into a vibrant, living postcard from the past.

Antique Harvest Mid-Century Modern Atomic
Antique Harvest Mid-Century Modern Atomic

Gary and I rummaged through our storage units to find just the right pieces to bring the vintage road trip theme to life:

  • Our cherry red Formica dinette set (yes, we’re obsessed!)
  • Stacks of vintage suitcases ready for adventure
  • Classic cameras to capture travel memories
  • Pinup-style polka dot dresses and circle skirts
  • Teak lamps with atomic fiberglass shades
  • Pink Pyrex Gooseberry & Amish Butterprint Cinderella stacking bowls
  • Atomic bar carts and barware and so much more!

The joy has been in the reactions. Because it’s the front window of the shop, we’ve had the unique pleasure of seeing people stop, smile, point, and even tear up as they reminisce.

We’ve heard so many sweet stories from visitors about growing up with these exact pieces in their homes—or at grandma’s! And for younger generations, it’s been all about the color, style, and “wow factor” of this atomic-era wonderland.

Antique Harvest Mid-Century Modern Atomic
Antique Harvest Mid-Century Modern Atomic

If you’re in Northern California, be sure to stop by! Antique Harvest in Healdsburg, CA is open daily—and our vignette is still turning heads.

Atomic Summer Pop-Up at Antique Society, Sebastopol

Antique Society Mid-Century Modern Atomic Formica Chrome Table Chairs
Antique Society Mid-Century Modern Atomic Formica Chrome Table Chairs

Over in Sebastopol, we brought the heat (and plenty of chrome) with our Atomic Summer pop-up at Antique Society! We were delighted to be working closely with the shop’s inspiring owner, Angela Vidinsky. Collaborating with Angela on this theme was an absolute joy—she’s not only incredibly talented when it comes to color coordination, display, and visual storytelling, but she also brings a thoughtful, values-driven perspective to everything she does.

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Retro Summer BBQ Bash: Mid-Century Essentials

Summer’s here, and it’s time to fire for a retro barbecue and up the grill, slip into our favorite vintage summer outfits, and let the good times roll! If you’re like me, you can’t wait to dust off your mid-century treasures and infuse your backyard gatherings with a healthy dose of nostalgia. Let’s dive into some kitschy must-haves that will make your summer BBQ the talk of the neighborhood.

Hot Diggity Dog!

Vintage Lefton Hotdog Head and Hamburger Head Pixieare Condiment Jars
Vintage Lefton Hotdog Head and Hamburger Head Pixieare Condiment Jars

No backyard BBQ is complete without hot dogs and hamburgers, and what better way to serve up your favorite condiments than in those darling Lefton Pixieware mustard jars? These adorable anthropomorphic ceramics, shaped like hot dogs and hamburgers with whimsical expressions, will bring a smile to everyone’s face and add a touch of kitschy charm to your table setting.

Holt Howard Mustard Jar MCM Starburst Franciscan Plate
Holt Howard Mustard Jar MCM Starburst Franciscan Plate

Shake It Up, Baby!

Salt and pepper shakers are a must-have for any BBQ, but why settle for ordinary when you can have extraordinary? Anthropomorphic salt and pepper shakers are where it’s at! Think cute corn cob couples, smiling strawberries, and even cute corn cob plates with matching skewers! These quirky characters will bring a smile to your guests’ faces and add a touch of kitsch to your table.

Retro Fashion and Summer Memories:

And let’s not forget about backyard BBQ fashion! A fun 1950s novelty border print dress adorned with cheerful oranges perfectly complements the summery vibe, while a stylish harlequin print circle skirt makes a statement as you arrive in your classic 1956 Nash Metropolitan. More summer fashion here.

Let’s Get This Party Started!

With your retro treasures in place, you’re ready to host a summer BBQ that will transport your guests back in time. So put on some swingin’ tunes, break out the hula hoops, and let the good times roll! Remember, it’s not just about the food – it’s about creating an experience that’s fun, festive, and full of vintage charm.

Bonus Tip: Of course, no retro gathering is complete without a vintage Polaroid camera to capture those picture-perfect moments of laughter, delicious food, and unforgettable memories. Don’t forget to snap some photos of your kitschy BBQ spread! Share them on social media with the hash tag #retrobbq and let’s spread the mid-century love!

Let’s Get Kitsch-y Together!

Do you have any favorite mid-century collectibles that you love to showcase at your summer BBQs? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below! Let’s inspire each other to create unforgettable retro gatherings.

Happy Summer, Kitsch-Lovers!

Summer Style in California

Summer Dress Pinup Yasmina Greco
Summer Dress Pinup Yasmina Greco

June is here and that means summertime!! I am really looking forward to summer and the seasonal change and yes, the fun summer dresses too. I like sunshine and warm weather (not too hot) but summertime in California is beautiful, especially where we live in gorgeous wine country. The vineyards are in full-bloom and lush with grapes and one of my favorite things to see are the manicured rows of vineyards on the rolling hills. Well this is a great segway into my post today as my sweet hubby Gary and I went over to the world famous Korbel winery for our photoshoot and everything was starting to bloom for summer.

Summer Dress Curvy Fashion on Yasmina Greco
Summer Dress Curvy Fashion on Yasmina Greco

I was excited to wear the new Art Nouveau jewelry collection from Erstwilder and just love the colors in my Royal Eye peacock colored plume necklace and Royal Eye brooch as they are stunning and really bring out the colors of my dress (dress is from Heart of Haute) and perfect for body positive curvy girls. Erstwilder works with the most talented designers and creators and the new collection really brings out the ornamental style, colors, and curved formats of the Art Nouveau style. Look how amazing my Le Chat Noir brooch is!! Hurry on over to Erstwilder and snap up your favorites because they do sell out fast!!

Summer Dress Curvy Fashion on Yasmina Greco
Summer Dress Curvy Fashion on Yasmina Greco
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Curvy Girl Floral Print 1950s Summer Dress

Hello summer!! Nothing says it’s summertime quite like a lovely sundress. I had wanted to try the Ella dress style from Pinup Girl Clothing for sometime as I love the dainty bodice, sweet bow detail and full skirt but it wasn’t until now that I got my hands on the Ella Vintage Style Sun Dress with Pockets in Fuchsia Floral Print Pinup Couture and it just might be one of my most favorite styles.

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Watermelon Crush

Yasmina Greco Crazy4Me Lady V Watermelon Lyra Dress

Watermelon is usually a hit at every BBQ and all summer long. The sweet and juicy fruit is so hydrating and packed with all sorts of goodness for your skin and hair. So, what could be even better then a dripping delicious slice of chilled watermelon… well, this stunning Lady Voluptuous Lyra Dress in Watermelon Crush!!

Yasmina Greco Crazy4Me Lady V Watermelon Crush Lyra Dress Continue reading