BellaSugar

Learn an Updated Take on Veronica Lake's Iconic Waves

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 05:00:00 PDT

Michael Dueñas, founder of Hair Room Service, an exclusive agency that brings professional stylists to clients, shared a gorgeous way to update Veronica Lake's perfectly soft waves. The original look is a classic, but Dueñas had a few tips for making it a bit more wearable for modern times. "I'd create more volume and more wave, but also make the look cleaner and more polished," he explained. For a full rundown on how he would do it, just keep reading.

Would You Ever Use a Black and White Television?

Elka Karl — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 04:00:07 PST

Wisconsin retro decorators Joe and Heidi Kinder have created an unmistakably atomic-age look in their home, right down to the wood-encased black-and-white television set in the living room. While I love the detail-oriented authenticity of their home, I don't think I could ever give up my color set for a black-and-white version. After all, RuPaul's Drag Race just wouldn't be the same without all of the color-saturated costumes!

Make time to tour the whole home in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel feature.

PhoneXPhone Landline iPhone Dock: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 14:37:17 PST

We never seem content with the sleek, high-tech look of smartphones, and this iPhone landline disguise is no exception. Just plop your iPhone into the retro dock's recess and connect it to the handset, and voilà: yet another old-school way to answer your calls.

Even the PhoneXPhone's description calls this $42 item "almost useless," but its one minor functionality is the ability to easily access apps while talking on the phone via the headset. Plus, it comes in bright colors (including blue, white, and red) and would probably add a nice pop of color to your home decor. I think it's cute, but then again, I love anything vintage geek. What you think?

A Cute Desk Set With a Retro Theme

Kristen Hawley — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:30:32 PST

I'm loving all of the cassette tape-themed finds this year (like this awesome holiday card), and here are two more fun finds perfect for a cassette-lover's desk.

The Here's My Demo Tape Dispenser ($15) and Dub Duty Keepsake Box ($16) would make cute, inexpensive gifts, too. Both are made from dark stained wood and painted with colorful cassette designs, and both are absolutely adorable.

Vinyl Stickers For All Your Retro Geek Needs

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 07:30:25 PST

When I peruse Etsy (which is often), I always end up scoring something awesome. Case in point: this Cassette Tape Sticker Pack ($9). I mean, I didn't know I needed vinyl cassette tape stickers that are "ever so slightly larger" than the real thing, but once I saw them, I had to have them.

But taking a cruise around the rest of Beepart's shop, I found a treasure trove of vinyl goodness that you can adhere to your walls, your laptop, even your Trapper Keeper. I've picked out some of my faves in the retro geek/robot categories below. Check them out, and I dare you to try to not click "Buy."

View 5 Photos ›

Favorite Décor Shots From Season Four of Mad Men

Elka Karl — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:00:14 PDT

This Sunday marks the season four finale of Mad Men. While the season has had its share of surprises, one area that I'm not surprised by is the show's consistently amazing set design. Whether depicting a bar, an office, or a residence, Mad Men always gets it right. Let's take a look at some of my favorite shots from this season.

Photo courtesy of AMC

Guess Who Used This Kitchen?

CasaSugar — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 07:00:24 PDT

First of all, I have to take a moment to acknowledge how adorable this kitchen is. From the enamel cookware to the vintage cookie tins and fabric curtain, it's perfectly restored to reflect its era. As a child, a certain rock star who would have celebrated his 70th birthday this month lived here with his Aunt Mimi. Can you guess his name?

Retro-Inspired Gadgets: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:45:02 PDT

Phones, TVs, and anything from Apple keep getting smaller, but many of us have a place in our hearts for those boxy tech goods of yesteryear. I've rounded up some products that are masquerading as vintage but are purely modern. Take a look through the gallery and let us know if you'd love it or leave it!

Get the Look: Cozy Retro Living Room

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 07:00:00 PDT

I'm getting eager for turning leaves, crisp mornings, and an excuse to relax next to a roaring fire. Given these sentiments, it's no surprise that I was attracted to this cozy retro living room, from Mark Bolton's portfolio. I'm dreaming about escaping to a Northern California coastline cabin with a similar retro, cozy vibe and curling up with a cup of tea and a good book.

Many elements of the room would be easy to replicate. Raid your grandma's house for a brightly colored afghan like the one found in the wooden bowl on the floor. Check eBay for vintage telephones, and create a funky and lovely little vignette with accents you already own.

One must-have element to the room is the gorgeous red woodstove. The Invicta Bradford Stove ($2000) would do the job nicely.

To get the rest of the look,

read more. While I appreciate the look of the Danish shag rug shown here, it's just too retro for my tastes. To bring this look into the modern day, I'd forego the retro shag (if you do love this rug, though, you can buy one for a pretty penny on eBay). Instead, I'd lay down this beautiful Peace Industry felt rug ($2200).
Create the woodsy wall by using a circular saw to cut one-inch circles from a felled tree, and use the rest of the logs, after they've dried sufficiently, for firewood placed in a pretty branch basket. For the rest of the look, check out the widget.

Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller® Eames® Molded Rocker - $479.00	Achille Castiglioni for Flos® Arco Floor Lamp - $2,696.00
Vitra Metal Side Table - $550.00	Tango willow mirror - Sold Out
Horchow Silver-Plated Teapot from Claridge's, c. 1960 - Sold Out	Cross-Weave Artisan Basket - Sold Out
French Bull Isis Round Tray - Sold Out	arne jacobsen Series 3300TM Two-Seater Sofa - Sold Out

Do You Hold On to Old VHS Tapes?

GeekSugar — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:45:31 PDT

It may be nearly Fall, but I've been doing a ton of Spring cleaning of my own and recently came across my stash of VHS tapes from high school and college. Funny enough, I haven't had a VCR in years - but two years ago most of you said you still had one. I'm not sure why I'm holding on to the tapes; nostalgia, maybe? I keep telling myself I'll convert them to digital format at some point.

Until then, they're still stashed in their box out of view of visitors in my living room. To be honest, I might be embarrassed if anyone walked in the room and saw a huge collection of VHS tapes. What about you? Do you hold on to old tapes, or have you gotten rid of them?