For quite some time now, I’ve been completely obsessed with shopping malls built in the 1980s. Some are still going strong, like the mall a few miles from my home. I often walk around this two-story building, reveling in pockets of retro goodness, thanks to department stores that haven’t remodeled since the decade of decadence. Then there are the abandoned malls, like another one close to home that’s increasingly closed off, thanks to an upcoming project that will likely destroy any remaining traces of the ‘80s.
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’80s Art and Design Inspiration
Happy Friday, Everyone! Many of you have written in and shared your design ideas with me, and one thing’s for sure: Mirror80 readers love being creative. From interior design endeavors to art and writing projects, your ideas have truly inspired me. Today I thought I’d post about inspiration… What inspires you?!
4 Simple Goals
It’s hard to believe November is well underway, and with a rapidly approaching holiday season that will be much busier than usual for a variety of reasons, it’s clear that this working girl is in need of some work/life balance! Which is why I was thrilled to come across a recent post on personal goal setting at A Beautiful Mess, a blog that inspires me on a daily basis. The piece got me thinking about my own goals for the weeks leading up to 2014…
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…
The ’80s Connection: Cory You
In March I began corresponding with musician and artist Cory You, and we instantly bonded over our love for ’80s design. As the months went by, I began to see just how much the 1980s influenced Cory’s creative works. In fact, I was blown away by his drive to create on a daily basis. Seriously, this man is always creating new images, sounds and looks! His constant search for unique ’80s visuals and thrift store finds regularly inspired me, and when I realized what an expert he was at mining my favorite decade for its most interesting elements, I knew he would be my next ’80s Connection interview. So without further ado, let’s meet Cory You!…
’80s Scenes from Moon Deluxe
A couple of years ago, I featured a blog post on Frederick Barthelme’s Moon Deluxe, a collection of short stories written in 1983. Palm tree-filled apartment complexes, neon lighting and strip shopping centers are the backdrop to stories about simple interactions between people trying to find their way in life. The narrators of these tales are men, and they don’t always know what to do with the beautiful, forward women who cross their paths. Many of these stories were originally published in The New Yorker, and it’s amazing to see such vivid descriptions of suburban sprawl in all of its shiny ’80s glory.
The ’80s Kitchen
It’s no secret that lately I’ve been obsessed with ’80s kitchens, likely because I’m about to move into a new place where the kitchen has distinct elements of 1980s style. As I’m trying to plan out how to accessorize the space, I’ve been looking through my ’80s design books (a.k.a. my decorating bibles), and I’ve pulled some amazing images of ’80s modern kitchens. Check out the pics above and below, as well as the design choices they’ve inspired!
The ’80s Connection: Arturo Bozeman Hernandez
About a year ago, I began corresponding with Arturo Bozeman Hernandez, a California entrepreneur who shares my love of 1980s design. One of the many things that impressed me at that time was his knowledge of ’80s graphic design. Then I became aware of the impressive level of detail Art puts into his own creations, particularly when it comes to the graphic design for Rocksteady Fitness, the business he owns with his lovely wife Melissa (he is the Marketing and Operations Manager and she is the Head Trainer). With locations in Ventura and Oxnard, California, Rocksteady offers personal training, group classes and massage therapy.
1980s Film Fun
Happy Wednesday, Everyone! Here in beautiful Austin, TX, the South by Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Conferences and Festivals are well underway. I’m a sucker for the SXSW Film Festival, not only because this is always Austin’s most beautiful weather week of the year, but because seeing amazing film after film is absolutely addictive. You may remember that last year I saw and reviewed a great documentary called Beauty Is Embarrassing, featuring artist Wayne White (who designed sets and puppets for the hit ’80s children’s show Pee-wee’s Playhouse). This year the festival has put me in the mood to take a look back at some fun Mirror80 posts featuring some key 1980s films!
Retro Foodie: A Yuppie Cocktail Party Menu
This ’80s yuppie cocktail party has been in the works for quite some time, and we’re thrilled to bring you the pics from this week’s photo shoot! The key to throwing an ’80s cocktail party: good drinks and over-the-top food. In the 1980s, it was all about food presentation. Food was stacked, garnished and arranged as art. The portions were often too small and the finishes overdone, but hey–it was pretty! And nobody needed to escape into the world of gourmet food like the ’80s yuppie (young upwardly-mobile professional). They worked more than they played, so when they played, they had to play hard!
