Today I’m welcoming Katie Rispoli Keaotamai to the blog! Katie is an architectural and cultural history professional who runs We Are the Next, a nonprofit organization that carries out construction projects in abandoned or neglected buildings. She then uses them to empower youth by raising awareness about the ways city buildings reflect our shared cultural identities and patterns in pop culture.
An Interview with David Zakrzewski
I couldn’t be more excited about today’s interview! David Zakrzewski experienced the best in ’80s retail design during the Decade of Decadence. Before becoming a Public Relations practitioner, David was an interior decorator and retail sales associate for four years at Los Angeles’ renowned Beverly Center. Get ready for a lesson in ’80s retail design, as well as a firsthand account of what it was like to be at the center of cutting-edge mall culture when it mattered most…
An Interview with Rachel Simone Weil
When I first met Rachel Simone Weil years ago, we chatted about educational writing over lunch, talking little of our creative pursuits. As the years passed, I saw this talented artist, video game developer and design historian amass an amazing portfolio of work. Not to mention, she operates FEMICOM Museum, a celebration of femininity in the realms of 20th century video games, computing and electronic toys. When we caught up again earlier this summer, I couldn’t wait to ask her about her creative projects, as well as our shared love of ’80s design…
A Halt and Catch Fire Interview with Lance Totten – Part 2
Did you catch Part 1 of our interview with Halt and Catch Fire Set Decorator Lance Totten? When the ’80s design knowledge is this good, you can’t contain it in one interview…which is why today we present Part 2! For the past two seasons, Lance has brought his expertise to the beloved AMC drama Halt and Catch Fire. Read on as he tells us how he tracks down those amazing retro computers, how he covers the walls of the set with amazing artwork time and time again, and how the 1980s have influenced his life and work…
An Interview with Halt and Catch Fire Set Decorator Lance Totten
Today I’m thrilled to share Mirror80’s latest interview: a chat with Halt and Catch Fire Set Decorator Lance Totten. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Lance has brought his design vision and flair for detail to HCF for the past two seasons. Read on as he shares his favorite ’70s and ’80s design resources, as well as the importance of authenticity. Yes, he’s been known to special order brass spray paint from Krylon, meticulously ensure that lamps on set have tapered shades, and insist on replacing plastic with metal when it comes to ’80s office staples such as dry erase boards and chair casters…
Mirror80 Featured by Terry’s Fabrics
Today I’m excited to share a Creative Trends profile that Terry’s Fabrics published today on their blog! For the full feature, which provides a zoomed-in version of the images and text above, click here. Terry’s Fabrics offers a range of home design and decor products, including bedding, curtain fabrics, rugs, homewares and more. When they asked me to share my top picks for trends in furniture, colors and materials, I jumped at the chance. Talk about design? Absolutely! See my favorites above, and for more information about the featured furnishings and the images from my own projects, see below…
The ’80s Connection: Rick Shithouse
Today we shine the spotlight on Rick Shithouse, who caught our attention when he launched Synthetix.FM, a blog that covers 80s-inspired Synth Wave, OutRun and Dream Wave synth music. Not to mention, Rick is a photographer, a writer, a sculptor, a garage kit builder, a curator of collections, and an 80s design enthusiast. For Rick Shithouse, the true magic of the 1980s can be found in offbeat niches and interesting details. He takes the time to explore every facet of this decade and revel in its most unique elements. Read on to learn more about Rick’s original work, as well as his knack for curating the work of others, both past and present.
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:
The ’80s Connection: Alex Bouché
Today we shine the spotlight on Alex Bouché, CEO and Founder of DX Seven Collective, a vinyl-only record label that also offers merchandise and management services. We at Mirror80 have been wanting to write about New-Retro Wave for as long as we can remember, as many of our readers are fans of this ’80s-inspired music that often channels the synthesizer-driven soundtracks of our favorite decade. We couldn’t think of anyone better to elaborate on New-Retro Wave than Alex Bouché, a true pioneer of this genre who has cultivated one of the first labels in the New-Retro scene that emphasizes physical releases (rather than digital ones).
The ’80s Connection: Skylar Strickland
Recently I’ve had the pleasure of striking up a correspondence with Skylar Strickland, an expert on the topic of 1980s design. His vast knowledge on the decade’s best interiors, decor trends and product design quickly became evident, especially when he gave me a glimpse of his extensive collection of design links, images and finds. While growing up in Florida, Skylar lived in a home filled with cutting-edge ’80s treasures. Meanwhile, many of us who were kids during that time grew up in locations where that detailed level of artful 1980s design was… well, let’s just say it wasn’t happening. What was it like being at the center of the decade’s design best? Let’s find out by talking with an expert who isn’t afraid to share his opinion…
