Today we celebrate the ’80s style that fills the sets, costumes and retro-fabulous world that is Flashdance. This 1983 film directed by Adrian Lyne features a dive bar with an appreciation for avant garde dance, a sweatshirt with a famous neckline, and a warehouse apartment that was well ahead of its time…
’80s Interiors: Smoke, Mirrors and Swank
Today at Mirror80, it’s all about the swank. These ’80s interiors beg to be noticed! Whether they pile on the floor cushions or layer on the mirrors, these are the rooms you want to lounge in once darkness falls. There may not be smoke, but in a couple of these spaces, there may as well be a smoke machine, because there’s a definite club vibe going on. And don’t get me started on the mood lighting…
Amaro Liqueur Spotlight: Ramazzotti
Happy Monday, everyone! I’ve been trying to share more about my life here on the blog. While today’s post is not a sponsored one (or even necessarily retro), I just wanted to shine the spotlight on a delicious liqueur that I’ve been enjoying over the last few months. Are you familiar with “amaro,” which is a word for Italian herbal liqueur? There are many to choose from, and I finally bought a bottle of Ramazzotti this past weekend.
When Life Gets Messy…
This post has been a long time coming. In fact, I’ve been thinking about writing it since the second week of January! We all love fresh starts, and the new year is a great opportunity to wipe the slate clean. But what if life presents a series of challenges that aren’t easy to face and dismiss? Today I want to reflect on what happens when life gets messy, how to deal with it as best as you can, and (on a lighter note) how a couple of ’80s movie heroes can be a source of inspiration.
Valentine Vibes
It’s officially February, which means it’s time to photograph my collection of ’80s ceramics! There are so many Valentine’s Day visuals that can’t help but channel ’80s style. It’s hard not to love this holiday. With that said, I find that any holiday dedicated to celebrating a certain stage of life (coupledom, parenthood, etc.) can be challenging for those who are yearning for that stage and not a part of it yet, or those who are experiencing it but going through a hard time. I’m all for happy distractions at this time of the year, so bring on the valentine swans…
Industrial-Inspired Dining
Today I’m excited to welcome guest blogger Kim Barnes to Mirror80. Here on the blog, we spend a lot of time focusing on ’80s Deco, Neon Noir and other styles from the Decade of Decadence, but today Kim takes a refreshing perspective by shining the spotlight on ’70s/’80s industrial design and how we can get the look at home!
Valentine Crafts: A Pastel Air Plant Terrarium
At the end of last week, I styled a DIY air plant terrarium for Decoist, and today I’m sharing a few photos from the shoot! Looking for Valentine crafts to create for friends and loved ones? The soft hues of this easy project evoke a retro vibe that’s totally on trend, and you can customize the terrarium with the artful objects of your choice.
Inspired By: Memphis-Milano Forms
Lately I’ve been completely inspired by Memphis-style forms in architecture, furniture design, artwork and more. There’s something so whimsical about the way clean lines, bold curves and candy colors combine. There’s also something dreamy about Memphis-Milano motifs, and nothing piques my interest more than the Plaza dressing table and stool by Michael Graves, shown above and below in images from Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Interiorator. I’m getting ready to tackle a wall art project, so today I’m sharing a few of my sources of inspiration…
Modern Necklaces for the Retro Wardrobe
If you shop retro, you know how many amazing, vibrant pieces are out there, especially when it comes to ’80s and early ’90s clothing. And if you love the ’70s, the style possibilities expand all the more. Sometimes when you’re wearing an eye-catching dress or shirt, the last thing you want to do is layer on the geometric plastic jewelry. Not that it’s a problem if you do… But if you’re on the hunt for modern necklaces that can work well with a variety of retro clothing items, check out some simple yet striking options.
IKEA Shopping
Hi there! Today I thought I’d share some of my shopping endeavors with you. With the new year comes new opportunities to solve interior design dilemmas. For me at home, the issues were low lighting throughout the house (not fun in the winter months), a shredded cotton dhurrie rug that made the living room look a bit run down, the need to add decor to bathroom countertops without cluttering them, and an empty space that was begging for a small desk. Below I’ll share what my hubby and I purchased from IKEA. Note: most of these items are super budget-friendly!
