Dear All
What is retro or retroism. If I'm allowed to define it, it is a cultural attitude that idolises and romanticises the western historical period of the 60's and 70's. There are certain iconic images, symbols and memories of that period that turn some of us into serious and passionate retrophiles and proud of our retrophilias.
The period reminds us of the Beatles and Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, Woodstock, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, the countercultures of hippiesm, feminism and youth activism with their corresponding symbols of the peace sign, the burning of the bra and Che Guavera. It reminds us of the Vietnam war, Don Maclean's American Pie song, the assasination of Kennedy, Andy Warhol and pop art, and of course post colonialism - to recall just a few of those images and happenings that stick strongly to our memories.
It was a period of great turmoil and disillusionments, but also of great change and experimentation, of new hope and new beginning. Whether in music, fashion, art, architecture, furniture and lifestyles, the period certainly left an incredible mark. So for some of us retrophiles, retroism is not a cheap imitation of the 60's-70's, but rather a passionate attempt at capturing the spirit of the times.
For us who look back to the midcentury modern period of the 60's and 70's, the furniture of that period, are considered retro. Of course then , they were considered as contemporary furniture. A new style of furniture emerged during that period. Its called the G-Plan range of furniture, developed by the firm E Gomme. Danish designer, Larsen, working on teak and rosewood, designed some of the most fantastic of G-Plan furniture. The new style became immensely popular and set a dominant trend. People went for this new "elegant modern furniture that floated magically above the floor on slender legs" (retrowow.com) And the craze for these kind of furniture, continue till today among the retrophiles, especially if they could get hold of the original, vintage pieces.
In this part of the world, just as in the west, retro furniture of the mid century 60's and 70's are highly sought after. At SECOND CHARM, we grab at any opportunity to acquire these type of furniture. Below are some of the vintage retro furniture that we got over the last one week, waiting for us to restore them to their original elegance. (Please also see our previous postings, where quite a number of original retro pieces were listed and available.)
The period reminds us of the Beatles and Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, Woodstock, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, the countercultures of hippiesm, feminism and youth activism with their corresponding symbols of the peace sign, the burning of the bra and Che Guavera. It reminds us of the Vietnam war, Don Maclean's American Pie song, the assasination of Kennedy, Andy Warhol and pop art, and of course post colonialism - to recall just a few of those images and happenings that stick strongly to our memories.
It was a period of great turmoil and disillusionments, but also of great change and experimentation, of new hope and new beginning. Whether in music, fashion, art, architecture, furniture and lifestyles, the period certainly left an incredible mark. So for some of us retrophiles, retroism is not a cheap imitation of the 60's-70's, but rather a passionate attempt at capturing the spirit of the times.
For us who look back to the midcentury modern period of the 60's and 70's, the furniture of that period, are considered retro. Of course then , they were considered as contemporary furniture. A new style of furniture emerged during that period. Its called the G-Plan range of furniture, developed by the firm E Gomme. Danish designer, Larsen, working on teak and rosewood, designed some of the most fantastic of G-Plan furniture. The new style became immensely popular and set a dominant trend. People went for this new "elegant modern furniture that floated magically above the floor on slender legs" (retrowow.com) And the craze for these kind of furniture, continue till today among the retrophiles, especially if they could get hold of the original, vintage pieces.
In this part of the world, just as in the west, retro furniture of the mid century 60's and 70's are highly sought after. At SECOND CHARM, we grab at any opportunity to acquire these type of furniture. Below are some of the vintage retro furniture that we got over the last one week, waiting for us to restore them to their original elegance. (Please also see our previous postings, where quite a number of original retro pieces were listed and available.)
My favourite find of the week. Retro 60's teak dresser in vintage white formica.We have similar retro pieces in pink and brown formica. See below.
Vintage retro 60's teak dresser in pink formica.
A rare 1960's retro teak dresser in brown formica ofeuropean provincial scenery.
A semi hexagon retro dresser with 3-panel foldable mirrors. This hexagon dresser is slightly lower than the ones we had previously.Unrestored. L63 x D30 x H21 inches.
A handsome retro teak sideboard, with brown formica at the top.Unrestored. L60 x D18 x H34 inches
A great 3-door solid teak 60's wardrobe. One side is detachable for easy moving. The whole 3 doors sit on an elegant pedestal below.In good original condition. L60 x D22.5 x H73inches.
A lovely retro 60's side coffee table. All teak unlike some later period ones that usually have teak legs but ply top. Sold one to Corinneand reserved one for Mr Foo in KL.
Another favourite find of mine for the week. A retro 1960's solidteak coffee table,with nice rounded edges.
A simple but elegant retro teak bedside cabinet.
A lovely retro dresser stool with long slender legs and acurvature top. Sold to Corinne. To be reupholstered.
The condition of this retro dresser itself indicate its vintageness.Worth reupholstery.
Interestingly, this piece of retro dresser stool is a variation of the above. Sold to Juliana, who was also happy to find an art deco burmese teak dresser and a french mahogany wing chair at our store.
A fully restored 1960's super single teak bed. Delivered to Curry Queen, Pixie Seet this week. We have beautiful retro teak beds, queen or single,of different designs at SECOND CHARM.
A retro 1960's teak wardrobe that we converted into a glass display cabinet. Delivered to Pixie together with the retro bed above. Original handles and brass caps on the pencil legs. Several other retro display glass cabinets available.
An art deco burmese teak super single bed for Andrew to add to his collections of art deco furniture inherited from the family. The lovely grains can only come from vintage burmese teak - one of the beautiful things about art deco furniture of the 50's here. Other art deco design beds are available at SECOND CHARM. 
A lovely french mahogany sofa. In good condition. Upholstery may require just a bit of cleaning unless one wants to reupholstery .
Talking about french sofas, we recently sold this french mahogany sofa to Kym who reupholstered the set which includes a single armchair, in real leather. Cost her quite a bit, but she is totally happy at the transformation as seen below.
A 3-seater french mahogany sofa reupholstered in genuine leater by Kym.
The single french armchair reupholstered, part of the set above. Original from SECOND CHARM
4 french armchairs with cane weave backs. 2 pcs with arms.Upholstery needed for the seats.
Set of 4 charming european design dining chairs.
1950's teak dining chairs in vintage PVC. Rare finds. Sold 2 pcs in as is condition to Zaidi, an enthusiatic young man with a great passion for vintage furniture. He didnt hesitate when he saw the pieces.
An extendable dining table. Unextendable at 4 ft round, extendable to 5 ft oval shaped. A modern Scandinavian solid teak piece.Will remain as a Scan classic.
Extendable to oval 5 ft.
Vintage 1950's teak book shelf. Reserved.
Vintage teak wooden frames and posters
Red and gold painted carved mini tables. For some colours andoriental furnishing to the house
A Chinese hand painted and carved square dining table.29 x 29 inches. Relatively new piece.
An Indonesian teak divider. Sold to Beth.
Pretty hand made and hand painted paper marche lamp on a wooden base. Glow both at the bottom and top part of the lamp.Till my next posting.
Warmest regards
Sharifah
posted on 17 September 11.52 am
Warmest regards
Sharifah
posted on 17 September 11.52 am
You have read this articleCOLONIAL FURNITURE /
G-PLAN FURNITURE /
MIDCENTURY MODERN FURNITURE /
PERIOD FURNITURE /
RETRO 60'S /
RETRO FURNITURE /
RETROISM /
RETROPHILES /
RETROPHILIAS /
SECOND CHARM RETRO FINDS /
VINTAGE FURNITURE
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Dj Ganden - Monday, September 13, 2010
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