Minimalism--a term referring to styles displaying pared-down design elements--is a popular trend in home décor. It is in one word--simplicity. Everything must have clean lines; be clutter-free, sleek and simple. 
The concept strips a household to the bare bones. It suggests austerity to me,  I can see only one advantage. A look so understated, that it defies time, might at times, serve a purpose.
Most of us can recall a decorating trend from the past we now find laughable. The yellowish-brown shag carpeting that wilted underfoot in the family room, the dark faux wood panels that heralded the den, or the pink mini-roses wallpaper slapped up in the bedroom. It's understandable how an new idea could develop to buck the backlash of a timeworn trend.

Minimalism offers stone cold hard granite, sleek stainless steel, concrete and lacquered surfaces to create a modern aesthetic. More (as I'm referring to an older aesthetic) or (maximism as Russ refers to it) offers warmth, softness, and a pleasant comfy surrounding. An ascetic, I'm not; I have to admit I love comfort.  And, I don't think of myself as old-fashioned.

I have an anti-gravity chair, a Keurig K60/K65 Special Edition Brewer and an iPad. But to be truthful, on a foggy, chilly, winter evening,  I'd much rather lounge in an overstuffed chair with a cup of slow-brewed tea and a good book. I want the reassurance of things familiar--like an old friend. I want to turn on the old radios and listen to music I've heard before. I want to know that in a world--where change happens at such a fast pace,  at times it seems almost possible to get thrown off--that some things are still predictable; that they haven't changed.

 Minimalism is full of adjectives that seem to me  to be antonyms of what creates a home. I'll take old radios, warm kitties, soft blankies and sink-in-so-deep-you-get-lost plush chairs over minimalism-- any day.

Till next time,

Regards,

Sue
phlog's blog

What do you think? Are old radios a good decorating idea?

It began as a joke. Russ had reached a milestone birthday--won't say which one;  I decided to brainstorm a memorable gift.  Applying a thought process far too convoluted to explain, I came up with an idea.

I'll take one of his favorite things--old radios, and make them related to his age in a humorous way.
I scurried to the craft for supplies. Paint, precut letters, wood glue and a flower (to serve as a wink.)

Let's see...Old Russ' Radios, Russ' Old Radios, how could I make it confusing enough to be mistaken as Old Russ' Radios?   I scooted the letters around, tried different configurations and finally arrived as the sign below. That's it,  I thought. The sign still graces the entryway to the Old Radio Museum today.

What do you think? Did I nail it? Let me know.

Till next time,

Regards,

Sue
phlog's blog

https://www.facebook.com/russoldradiorepair

 New link to RORR Facebook page- Give us a look.
We'd like, if you'd like.  :)

 

This Sparton is an example of the beauty of old radios-- outstanding design, quality materials, and masterful workmanship. These factors blended together- created magnificence works of art.
                               
                  

 During the period that this radio was manufactured, the Sparks Withington Co. (Sparton), was involved in a patent dispute with RCA over the manufacture of  vacuum tubes. The tubes for this radio are similar to those found in most other radios of the time, however few tubes were interchangeable.
A short time later the dispute was resolved. Sparks Withington began using the more conventional line of  tubes patented by RCA. The original Sparton tubes manufactured at this time are becoming scarce.

Till next time...

Regards,
Sues

phlog's blog