Making It MCM: Atomic Bedroom Project

When we bought this house, I knew that it would a long time and a lot of work to get it to where I wanted it: a Mid-Century Modern Oasis. So far, we've removed all the carpeting and replaced it with wood floors, painted over all the paneling (which I hate... that fake wood pattern paneling... yuck), re-did the kitchen, and, finally, the bedroom. We still have projects to complete: I want to re-do the bathroom and laundry room, and eventually make an entertaining room with room for my band to practice, a pool table, and a TV viewing area... but all that's in the future.

My latest house project was a complete sprucing-up of the bedroom. It was functional (could use a bigger closet, but that's what every girl says), but UGLY. Like I said, the wall finishes were fake wood paneling, and it desperately needed another window. After my Tommy Lee installed a new window, I gutted everything out of the space and started in to bring the room to what I saw in my head. Here's a "before" video:

I had several designs, but, in the end, I decided I just wanted something clean, bright, and undeniably mid-century atomic. So I bought a gallon of Behr paint in Pearl White semi-gloss and a quart of Glidden semi-gloss in a shade called Island Shores:

A photo posted by Molly Starlite (@sixstringlass) on Sep 24, 2015 at 10:16am PDT

After moving everything out, I started with the closet. Before shot:

A photo posted by Molly Starlite (@sixstringlass) on Oct 9, 2015 at 9:24pm PDT

And After I painted the closet area:

A photo posted by Molly Starlite (@sixstringlass) on Oct 11, 2015 at 1:34am PDT

And then one wall... Before:

A photo posted by Molly Starlite (@sixstringlass) on Oct 11, 2015 at 3:42pm PDT

Here's my Ugly Paneling Seam Painting Technique:

And After:

A photo posted by Molly Starlite (@sixstringlass) on Oct 11, 2015 at 8:23pm PDT

And then the opposing wall, the feature wall, and the doors. The final look? MCM HEAVEN! Behold:

Here's some still shots of the room:

A photo posted by Molly Starlite (@sixstringlass) on Oct 14, 2015 at 12:24am PDT

A photo posted by Molly Starlite (@sixstringlass) on Oct 14, 2015 at 12:28am PDT

A photo posted by Molly Starlite (@sixstringlass) on Oct 14, 2015 at 12:30am PDT

A photo posted by Molly Starlite (@sixstringlass) on Oct 14, 2015 at 12:33am PDT

A photo posted by Molly Starlite (@sixstringlass) on Oct 14, 2015 at 12:36am PDT

A photo posted by Molly Starlite (@sixstringlass) on Oct 14, 2015 at 11:42am PDT

The final piece of my makeover was the antique brass desk that I inherited from my Grandma. She bought it intending to refinish it, but never got around to it before she passed. My Tommy Lee sanded and repainted the desk and its bench, and then we re-upholstered the seat. After hanging a mirror on the wall, I painted the frame, hung some globe lights around it, and, voila! Makeup table!!!

A photo posted by Molly Starlite (@sixstringlass) on Oct 23, 2015 at 11:02pm PDT

A photo posted by Molly Starlite (@sixstringlass) on Oct 23, 2015 at 11:11pm PDT

Molly Starlite's Hair Flowers

I've been making pinup style hair flowers for almost a year now, and while I haven't been able to make a career of it, it's a fun hobby. I make hair flowers while waiting for videos to convert from DVD format to MP4; I make them while waiting for videos to export out of my film-making software; I make them while waiting for videos to upload to a web site or video streaming channel (there's a *lot* of waiting and babysitting while making videos, which is why they're so expensive).

Anyway, it's a fun, relaxing hobby that lets me be creative and make something beautiful. I list them on my Etsy store, give them as gifts, and sell them to people I run into. I take commissions and make custom flowers. It's a lot of fun, making something one-of-a-kind and unique to a person's tastes.

I used to make them by winding metal wire around the hair combs and flower stems, but I have started making them using a new thread wrapping technique that makes them lighter, safer, sturdier, and waaaaay prettier than most other methods I have found. There's no glue to get brittle and break, no wires to poke you, and nothing unsightly or bulky to interfere with wearing the flower. The flowers are light, can be inserted into any hairstyle, and this method allows the wearer to "pose" the flower just a little bit (not a lot, but some... so you could move a flower a little to cover a bobby pin, for instance).

Soon, I may start adding new features, like glitter and ornaments. Stay tuned!

What Is "Pinup Everyday?"

Ever since I started following the pinup culture about 18 months ago, I've been incorporating it into my life. Of course, I've always been interested in all things retro: cars, decorating, fashion, makeup... but it took me a while to start really living that lifestyle. I think being a pinup is about more than just looking like a pinup; it really is a lifestyle, an attitude. It's being you, your way. It's the personification of class, style, and dedication to things you love. You can be a pinup in your jeans or yoga pants with your hair just brushed. It's an attitude.

For me, it's a measure of control over my life. My world was very messy for a very long time, and the world of retro living brought a structure to my life that not only helped me control myself and my emotions, but literally makes me happy.

For instance, my house. About the same time that I became interested in pinup culture, my new husband and I bought a house. Nothing fancy: just a 800-ish-or-so square-foot house in the boonies of north Idaho. Owning something like this meant I could decorate it however I wanted. And we went retro! Here's a few photos of different areas of the house; I'll post in more detail about each in posts later:

 The living room had hideous paneling, old carpet, and dusty vertical blinds... so I changed everything. Laminate flooring, pinstriped the walls, added colorful curtains, glittery shades, and bright orange and lush silver furniture. Voila! An MCM living area!

 The kitchen was typical 1970s decor, with flower-patterned, orange-and-yellow-and-avacado color scheme; paneling everywhere, and more vertical blinds. So, we installed counter-to-ceiling glass tile in white and silver, painted the paneling white and accented with chili pepper red, installed stainless appliances (which I got for a steal from a friend of mine who was moving), and added chrome Sputnik stars to the cabinetry.  We've since changed the light fixtures and carried the Spunik star theme down the hallway toward the bedroom. I'll post those photos later. :)

I have a "before" shot somewhere, but this is an "after" shot of the bedroom, my most recent project. This was mostly just painting paneling. (I hate paneling.) I also added colorful harlequin diamonds, bright curtains and sheers, and decorated with the mid-century lamps I collect.




So, as you can see, I have full embraced the retro life. I don't think you have to go as a far as I have to be a pinup or part of the retro lifestyle, but it sure has made me happy. Getting out of the dark place I was in and physically brightening my surroundings made a huge difference to my healing process. Plus, it looks awesome, right?