Mid-Century Modern Kids' Books: Art by Patrick McDonnell

If you're a fan of the funny pages, then you probably know Patrick McDonnell as the author of Mutts. He also has a wonderful kids' book, Art. Art is about a little boy named Art who makes art. It's as quick and punchy as you would expect a book built on a play on words to be. And it's this play on words that makes it not boring for parents (especially those that have to read it multiple times a day, because you will have to read it multiple times a day).

It's especially nice because it starts conversations around art with very young children and helps them understand what art is, perhaps a little earlier than kids without this book. It's a must read for any creative parent or parent who wants a creative kid.

VW Bus Playscape for Kids

People in Austin love VW buses, including myself. The first hand-made, kid-themed VW bus item I ever saw was this VW bus wagon. Now this playscape has popped up on Austin's Craiglist. It's probably a stretch to actually call it a playscape, but that's what it's listed as. I guess if you slap a slide on anything, it can technically be a playscape. That said, it would make a pretty sweet neighborhood club house (as long as the windows/doors remained open).

I've been on the hunt for the perfect VW bus (in running condition), now I'm wondering if I just find a broken down one, pull the interior, park it in the backyard and call it a club house. I think the kid would love it.

Vintage TV Converted into a Bar

I love vintage TVs. There's just something ecstatically pleasing about the wood surrounding them, instead of black plastic. But they're big, heavy and basically useless (with the switch to digital). That is, unless you convert it into a bar, like this TV.

We have our American of Martinsville bar and don't really have a need for a second bar, but if we ever do, I'll be hitting up the local Goodwills to try and find a vintage TV to break the screen out of.

Inside Scoop on an Estate Sale

One of my grandfathers is moving to California after living in the same home in the midwest for over 50 years. The midwest fraction of my family is putting on an estate sale to make the move much lighter.   I haven't been in his house since I was a child, long before I could appreciate the mid-century design of some of his things.

My mom sent me photos of things in the sale and I asked her to pick up more than a few things for me.  Now I just have to figure out how to get them down from the midwest to my mid-century modern home in Austin.

I picked up these mid-century kitchen tins

We've been looking for a new fruit bowl and this orange bowl is going to be perfect. I also picked up the blue and white bowl. I'm sure we'll find some use for it.

I spotted the coffee pot behind among all the other items and had to have it. I've been trying to add more mid-century items to my morning coffee routine.

We also picked up some mid-century Christmas decorations in the forms of some slightly creepy Santas.

All small, detail pieces, but I think they'll add a lot to the mid-century look of the place.

New Mid-Century Modern Mad Men Opening Title

I have a thing well-designed, alternate open sequences, like Dexter or X-Men. Now I can add Mad Men to the list.