Happy Friday, Everyone! You know when you find something cool online, and then you look a little closer and realize that you’ve stumbled upon a gold mine?! This is one such occasion, thanks to a website called Acrylic Home Design. I’ve made no secret of my love for all things acrylic, from dining sets to tables and desks. But when I came across the Acrylic Home Design site, it was crystal clear that the ’80s-style possibilities for this transparent material are absolutely mind blowing. And there are oodles of acrylic items big and small at our fingertips!
The Beauty of an Abandoned Mall
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.
Mirror80 February Highlights
Happy March, Mirror80 Readers! We’re definitely a few days into a new month, and we have some fun features in store. But first we wanted to take a minute and reflect on some of our favorite February posts. Over the past few weeks, we’ve spent quality time crafting new DIY creations, reflecting on sources of inspiration for ’80s design projects, exploring some exciting new fashion and decor offerings with retro style, and connecting with others who are celebrating a love for the decade of decadence through their own unique endeavors. Check out the images and links that follow, and be sure to visit any February posts you may have missed!
Our Favorite ’80s Interior Design Pics
Hi Everyone–it’s the beginning of a new week, and we at Mirror80 are in the middle of an ’80s interior design love fest. Last week we took a look at some pics of bedrooms from the 1980s. We ended the week by exploring a few sources of 1980s design inspiration, from clothing patterns to retro stickers. Today we continue the fun by looking back at some of our favorite ’80s design pictures and the posts they came from. Read on for more details…
1980s Interior Design Inspiration: The ’80s Bedroom
Happy Wednesday, Everyone! Have I mentioned that I’m slowly giving my bedroom an ’80s makeover? I’m on a tight budget, so let me emphasize the word “slowly.” Sometimes hunting for true bargains takes time. This past weekend I found a great piece of ’80s modern art for the space, but there’s still much to be done. I’m currently gathering inspiration from two of my favorite 1980s design books, and I thought I’d share some of my favorite pics with you…
’80s Music Video Land: “Promised You a Miracle” by Simple Minds
Something happened last month–I found the Vevo channel through my Roku. Yes, I’m a little late in the game here, but the thought of being able to watch music videos on demand on my TV has led to many hours of dancing around my living room as a form of exercise and pure recreation. This channel has brought back the magic of watching MTV as a kid–you know, back when they played videos all day. Guess what video popped up during my first viewing binge? Today’s featured piece: “Promised You a Miracle” by Simple Minds. How had I never seen this video before?! Maybe because this 1982 track predated the band’s more commercial hits that emerged mid-decade. The video is filled with amazing style elements. In fact, it could inspire the design of a room.
Our Favorite Posts of 2013
Happy New Year, Everyone! Before launching into the festivity of 2014 (there are some exciting things planned here at Mirror80), I wanted to take a minute and reflect on our favorite posts of 2013. Last year brought some delicious new developments, such as our Retro Foodie series, which explores creative ways to incorporate late ’70s-early ’90s design into your food and entertaining adventures. Another fun development: finally getting a new camera, which took our photo shoots up a notch. More fun to come in that department, but until then, here’s a look back at some of our favorite moments of the past year. Don’t forget to click on the links to view the full posts…
An ’80s-Style Thanksgiving
For November’s Retro Foodie shoot, we present a berry-toned palette with bright pops of orange. I recently gathered my parents and hubby for a pre-Thanksgiving light lunch–some quiet before the bustle of Turkey Day begins. With one of my favorite ’80s art pieces as the backdrop, I designed a table that incorporates cool tones, autumn hues and some authentic 1980s decor. Read on for more details…
Retro Bargain Shopping Tips
We’ve been busy at Mirror80…hitting garage sales, antique shows, thrift stores, estate sales, and even antique malls! We can’t help it–these are the best places to find retro items at bargain prices! We’ve scanned these spots for jewelry, furniture, decorative smalls and more, and today we bring you the fruits of our labor: a series of articles focused on bargain shopping for retro finds! Check out the images below, then follow the links to the full posts…
’80s Interior Design Profile: Maitland-Smith
This fall at Mirror80, we’ve fallen in love with the work of furniture designer Maitland-Smith. The company is still very active today, but we’re particularly drawn to the ’70s and ’80s pieces created by Maitland-Smith. And just what are the signature traits of these fine furnishings? Brass accents, tessellated stone that covers the each piece in seamlessly applied squares, and Deco-style geometric shapes. Not to mention, a color palette of cream, coral, peach and black adds an elegant touch, making these creations sleek rather than garish. Today we’ve assembled a collection of our favorites, available for purchase via 1stdibs. Read on for more details…
