Fabulously Retro

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  Eight years ago, Elizabeth Calderone bought her first piece of vintage fabric. And then she bought and bought some more, stowing away her pristine swatches for another day. That day came when she purchased a house in Stillwater, an old southern-Minnesota river town she found enchanting upon first visiting it. She knew she had found the perfect setting for all the things she loves -- funky printed textiles, classic rattan, mid-century American pottery, even myriad kitsch. Now, everything is in its place.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Midwest Retro

  Steven Randazzo

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  Elizabeth settled into her house and began opening her fabric-filled bags. To her delight, the yardages and curtain panels seemed tailor-made for the rooms. Her living room is now a forum for pink and chartreuse, served up in vintage fabrics, including nubby bark cloth, cotton ticking, and sculpted mohair. The metallic thread woven into the side chairs revs up the glamour.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Midwest Retro

  Steve Randazzo

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  The crew Elizabeth hired included a painter as obsessed with color as she and "a fabricator extraordinaire" able to take away bags of her yardage, trims, and tear sheets and return with finished projects. "My expert seamstress would return it all assembled -- I was thrilled with every result," Elizabeth says. Here, a repurposed vintage tablecloth takes on a new role as a window topper.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Midwest Retro

  Steve Randazzo

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  Once the fabrics and paint had been chosen for room schemes, Elizabeth embarked on a shopping spree for furniture and accessories. Romantic mid-century airbrushed prints by artists deJonge, Turner, and Bernard are used throughout the house.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Midwest Retro

  Steven Randazzo

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  When the stair carpet was ripped up, Elizabeth discovered a red painted finish underneath -- a surprisingly perfect complement to many of the surrounding textiles.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Midwest Retro

  Steven Randazzo

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  Elizabeth packs pattern into the dining room, starting with an elegantly draped table. She fit her Windsor-style chairs with skirted seat pads for an added sense of warmth and softness in the room and relied on the curtains for a burst of color. Elizabeth loves the quirky baby scale and uses it to hold rolled place settings when she entertains.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Midwest Retro

  Steven Randazzo

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  Elizabeth relies upon particular objects, colors, and textures to get the vintage look she likes. A corner of a guest bedroom reflects her passion for color, here a soothing combination of candy pink and minty green.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Midwest Retro

  Steven Randazzo

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  Turquoise was a popular hue in the '50s. When redesigning the kitchen, Elizabeth took cues from old '50s wares such as Pyrex bowls and printed tablecloths. She diverted from her softer palette and paired turquoise with red.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Midwest Retro

  Steven Randazzo

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  A magnolia-festooned Red Wing pottery bowl.
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Midwest Retro

  Steven Randazzo

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  Dishwasher-safe flatware
  
  Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: Midwest Retro

  Steven Randazzo