Anyone else already hooked on AMC’s Halt and Catch Fire? This new series follows a trio of tech-savvy pioneers who reverse engineer an IBM computer in the hopes of joining the PC revolution and transforming 1980s tech culture in the process. Yes, this show occupies the time slot that Mad Men left behind. Is it possible that AMC got wind of our dream ’80s television series, Rad Men? OK, not so likely. But that doesn’t mean we don’t already love their newest foray into the realm of pop culture history. There are many reasons to watch Halt and Catch Fire. Here are our top four:
The ’80s Connection: Heather Hermann
This spring I began a correspondence with the talented Heather Hermann, also known as The Duchess of Deco. We immediately bonded over our love of 1980s design, thrifting, all things Deco, mineral samples, and quirky decor such as terrariums with neon accents. Yet the more I got to know Heather, aka Calliope, the more fascinated I became with her repertoire, from her days as a Vegas showgirl to her experience in the realm of Hollywood costume design. She’s a fearless performer, a visual artist with a truly unique aesthetic, a walking encyclopedia on Deco design through the ages, and an art dealer specializing in the works of Erte. And that’s just the beginning… Intrigued? Read on:
Mirror80 May Favorites
May at Mirror80 has been all about celebrating geometry, creative possibilities, and materials such as marble, metal and glass. In fact, this month we’ve spent quite a bit of time highlighting the intersection of modern geo style and 1980s minimalism. Today we take a look back at some of our favorite moments, complete with pictures and links so you can quickly access each original post. Now that May has come and gone, we are officially in summer mode. June’s going to be good…
’80s Etsy Meets Modern Etsy
This month at Mirror80, we’ve been celebrating the minimalist geometric aesthetic that’s put its stamp on the modern world of interior design through materials such as marble and brass. As it turns out, there’s a ton of overlap between this look and ’80s geometric style! With the help of our favorite Etsy shops, today we take a look at the way geo design spans the decades, from the 1980s to the present. Above we see a stunning pair of ’80s Yves Saint Laurent Gold Plated and Black Enamel Earrings from Treasure Trove NYC.
’80s Party Ideas
Feeling festive? If you’re looking to add some ’80s style to your next party, this post is for you! All of today’s featured party ideas come from our Retro Foodie series, and we take pride in presenting unique variations of the typical ’80s theme–call it ’80s with a twist! In fact, many of today’s featured party ideas incorporate modern elements, such as the current marble and pastel trends. Browse the ideas below, and don’t forget to click on the links under each heading to access the original post in which each image appeared. Now time to celebrate…
The Beauty of Raw Materials
Hi Everyone! Last week I featured a DIY mineral scape that involved a range of materials, from marble tiles to brass hardware. Have you been noticing the current design trend of metal, stone, glass and wood? A true celebration of raw materials! One day the geo forms and marble mania will subside, but now that marble and brass are officially “back”, they can always be part of an ’80s lover’s design collection. And thanks to sites like Etsy, you can order these materials in bulk at reasonable prices. Bring on the DIY projects…or simply display them as is for a retro-meets-modern look!
On Making a Fresh Start…
Happy Monday, Everyone! Over the past week or two, I’ve made some changes in my life. Not huge changes, but a few small tweaks that have made a big difference. It started with a simple idea of keeping a variety of chopped fresh fruits and veggies in the fridge…
DIY Project: Marble and Mineral Scapes
Hi Everyone! Today I’m sharing my latest DIY project idea: marble and mineral scapes. Think of them as terrariums without plants. The ingredients of choice are colorful sand, mineral specimens, marble tiles, and hardware such as washers and hex nuts. I’ve made no secret of my love for marble, as well as my excitement about the current design trend of celebrating geometric forms with materials such as glass, stone and metal. Today’s featured DIY project reflects recent trends while throwing in a bit of retro flair…
Glass, Metal and Marble Decor from Matter
Happy Wednesday, Everyone! The week is half over, and I’m already planning some new art projects for the rapidly approaching weekend. I’ll admit that today’s featured finds are a bit out of my budget at this point in time, but they completely inspire me in my creative projects. Do you ever look to high-end design items for retro-meets-modern inspiration? I couldn’t be more excited to share these stunning pieces from Matter, a New York-based shop that also offers their furniture, lighting and decor online.
’80s Tumblr Style
One of our favorite sources for ’80s inspiration is Tumblr. In fact, at this point in time, Tumblr is the single best source for 1980s art and design images online! Today we take a look a variety of our favorite photos, showcased by a variety of our favorite Tumblrs! Above we see a fetching mineral sample from Commonchant.
