Celebrating a Centennial Birthday...with Paper Dolls

MrMartha went to a Hundredth Birthday Party the other week....but it wasn't what you might think.

Two of MrMartha's dearest friends since 7th grade are twins -- and they both just turned Fifty!

They had requested no gifts at their party, but MrMartha had to do something cute and unexpected to commemorate the event....so the thinking cap went on....and the answer was PAPER DOLLS!

Not just any paper dolls, mind you, but a snapshot in time of the twins. Circa 1971-72 when MrMartha first met them. Both of the dolls are wearing McMurray Jr High PE uniforms, and their extra outfits, while not specific replicas of the twins clothing of the time (MrMartha's memory is not THAT exact), captured the spirit of the era. MrMartha was actually channeling Jan and Marsha's Brady Bunch outfits.

Lesa and Heidi have been wonderful friends for nearly 38 years, and it was really fun to figure out a little project that would remind them of our shared history, as well as allow others at their party who may not have known them for as long -- or may not really know them together as sisters -- to learn a bit more about them and their history.

MrMartha framed one copy of the paper dolls to have on display at the party, put personalized copies for the birthday girls into commemorative folios, and then printed enough extra copies so that other party guests could take one as a souvenir of the occasion.

This is a super idea that is easily replicated, and could be a marvelous and unexpected gift for just about anyone celebrating a milestone birthday, graduation, wedding shower, etc....by taking a specific point in their life and history and turning it into a fun vignette.

The essence of paper dolls is their charm. Simplified shapes, and cute caricatures are much more fun than exact portraits or excessive detail.

There are lots of resources online for templates and ideas.....One that MrMartha investigated before starting this project is a wonderful archive of vintage Betsy McCall paper dolls which have that same fun 'snapshot of a moment in time' aspect that MrMartha was trying to capture. (really worth a look even if you aren't contemplating this project)

Read More to find out how (relatively) simple it is to create your own version of this idea.


The simplest way to achieve a great result, if you are not an awesome freehand artist (and MrMartha is certainly not!) is a combination of scanning and tracing (and rescanning and retracing), combined with a simple graphics program like Microsoft Paint. Find some templates or ideas you like online, or scan some vintage photos of your subject, and print them out. Then, trace the outlines and simplify, while you adjust and add aspects specific to the one you are aiming to evoke. This process takes a little time, and probably a few trys, but you will soon come up with something you like. Use tracing paper, a light board, or just tape the paper layers to a window. Scan your initial design, print it out, and then continue to adjust and retrace as needed until you are happy with it.

The completed original doll and costumes can be colored with markers, watercolors, etc, before your final scan, or you can rescan it in black and white and then use your graphics program to add color. Use the graphics program as well to add headlines and additional text. A short paragraph about the honoree describing some history, or bit of triva that may not generally be known, is a nice addition.

Keep in mind, the doll isn't meant to be a perfect portrait of the one it commemorates, but it should capture a sense of them, and have some whimsey. Do an image search for "vintage paper dolls" and also for "Betty and Veronica" or other comic book type drawings, and look at how those artists simplify facial features. Try to capture the general shape of the persons face, and things like upturned or long nose, etc -- but the overall love put into the project is a lot more important than an exact likeness!

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MrMartha's Mid Century Design Primer

MrMartha has been transforming some very uninspired mid century spaces into something he hopes is going to be quite special.
As the new house was quite literally a blank canvas -- wimpy dead white walls with bad paint job, semi neglected tile work, badly chosen replacement light fixtures, and really zero percent creativity evident -- in anything done during the past 30 years.

Just how to bring the space back to a vibrancy, how to show off the mid century bones (and bells and whistles) that attracted MrMartha to the residence in the first place, has required some real thought. MrMartha will share photos of how the new place is coming together soon...but for now, lets focus on general mid century design trends.

The idea of MidCentury design seems to sort of congeal into a lump in most peoples minds (or at least those who think about it), fusing things that were actually popular within a span of about 30 years. The broad term refers to design between the late forties and the mid seventies.

(MrMartha's definition of mid century does not include the styles of Moderne or Art Deco, while they happened in "mid century" in terms of the calendar, they really are separate, stand alone styles.)
The apex of classic mid century design to MrMartha is circa 1962-65 -- but still has to include many, many icons that were designed much earlier, or still to come in the future.

Just like the fashions of 1955 were radically different than those just 10 years later in the late 60s, what was considered shockingly modern decor around 1953 would have seemed comical and frumpy by 1966. Times, trends, fashion, technology, and sophistication all changed radically in that turbulent period, and interior trends reflected it all....and, as with anything involving fashion, it did so in both tasteful, and very tacky ways.

To map out a design plan for a "current take" on the best of mid century, is walking a fine line in some very wide shoes. Things designed only a few years apart can seem very divergent and clashing when displayed together....but objects from the earliest years of mid century design (let's call that Post Moderne) really can co-exist with the height of 60s mod, and everything in between can be combined, if they are selected with care and sensitivity.

For MrMartha's own piece of mind, in trying to assemble the right formula of objects, MrMartha made some arbitrary divisions to determine what the identifiable trends and styles were, within the overall style umbrella of the full era.

Read More to learn more about MrMartha's take on the evolution of the styles, and some great photos of period interiors.



50's Modern: Took traditional furniture forms and stripped off some of their fussiness -- sofas lost arms, design details got simpler, fabrics were nubby tweeds and brightly printed barkcloth. Objects often took their shapes from an organic base, and nontraditional materials like Fiberglass began to find their way into the living space.

The buzz word for the most severe version of this look is "Atomic" decor -- though some call it Kitsch, if the decor focuses on the more outre' aspects of the aesthetic -- or Retro if it combines styles and trends from across all of mid century design.
And, just as Tomorrowland at Disneyland seemed outdated and arcane soon after it was built, so did many aspects of 50s Modern. For an easy timeline of this trend, think about the evolution of the Ricardo's couches during the 'I Love Lucy' series.

(yes, that is Liz Taylor)

60's Modern: This is the classic "Danish Modern" aesthetic. Simple spare and thin forms, design decisions often outweighing considerations of comfort.

Pendent lights in bullet or globe shapes were often seen. Boomerangs, jet wings, and that ultimate "Century 21 Worlds Fair" icon, Seattle's Space Needle, were all inspirations for furniture and objects -- designed for, and representing, the projected speed of life in the Jet Age, as things sped towards a future that was still expected to be just like the Jetsons.
This particular look is illustrated well in the office sets of "MadMen" which capture the whole idea of it with breathtaking correctness.


60's Contemporary: Consider this sort of the filtered down vernacular of "High 60's Modern". that doesn't mean it was bad, but a lot of this look did disintegrate to that lowest common denominator "Levitz" look.
The best examples of this style were quite wonderful...MrMartha likes to refer to this style as "Haute 60's".


For a quick mental snapshot of the style, picture Laura and Rob Petrie's ranch house in New Rochelle, from the original "Dick VanDyke Show". For the upper end luxe version of this look, Betsy and Don Draper's redecorated living room on "Madmen" hits the mid century nail right on it's vintage head.


Hollywood Post-Regency: Ah, now MrMartha is getting a bit arcane. The current rage for the generic decorating term "Hollywood Regency" which originally referred to a 1940s based theme, is at present, so all encompassing in its reach, it may as well be called 'black hat' -- it really be nearly anything (do an ebay search). There was a mid century offshoot of the original purer style. It took higher end designer furniture, often very sculptural, and added that trademark hollywood glitz.


Playing with scale was a hallmark of this vein of midcenturia, large sculptural clocks, gold and metallic details, swag lights that managed to be simultaneously whimsical and grave. This is mid century design gone over the top....either in a very good way.....or in a 'bad accident but I have to stare" way.
An offshoot of this style would be the big trophy homes in Palm Springs by architects like John Lautner with their amazing interiors.


70's Modern: MrMartha, having lived through this era with great disdain, finds it far too painful to discuss. For everything you need to know about 1970's decorating....watch an episode of "That Seventies Show" in syndication ---they nailed it!

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What is -- Tomato Pulp Fiction?

The Category: Violent Vegetable Films for $800
The Answer: Name of Tarantino's sauciest movie.

MrMartha has had a summer of voluptuous ripeness,
blushing orbs peeking out from their lacy corsets,
low hangers waiting to be firmly grasped .....
STOP THAT TRAIN OF THOUGHT !! -- MrMartha is talking about Tomatoes!

Upcoming tomato posts in the next few days:
Home Canning Tomatoes, step by step.
Green Tomato Salsa -- and you.
An unconventional Jalapeno and Tomato Jelly.
--- Keep Checking Back.


MrMartha got a call from his uncle the other day, asking about Tomato pulp....a viewer had enquired about it, regarding Uncle's youtube video on homemade tomato sauce (also featuring MrMartha's lovely and talented Aunt).
Turns out, there is a lot of superstition and myth surrounding the interior of any given tomato.

The specific Question: Why peel and seed tomatoes when cooking?

The Myths -- seeds are bad to ingest, the interior gel around the seeds can make you ill when cooked, the seeds are exceptionally bitter, and the ever popular -- any Italian cook would rather die than serve a seedy sauce.

The Bottom Line -- you never HAVE to peel or seed tomatoes to cook with them, you can use them exactly as they are after removing the tough core.

The Reasons FOR peeling and seeding:

They make a much smoother and richer sauce if the seeds (or most of the seeds) and watery pulp are removed.

The skins will contract during cooking and become rather tough threads and shreds, so it is really advisable to take a couple moments and peel the tomatoes after a quick dip in boiling water.
Then, cut them in half and use your thumb to release the seed and gel sacs inside. If the tomatoes are very ripe, just give each half a quick squeeze over the sink to get the job done.

Less liquid -- by pulling out the seeds and the more liquid part of the interior, you are putting more concentrated tomato flavor into your recipe, and will not need to cook it as long if the extra watery liquid has been removed.

All of the myths can have some level of truth in them, but a lot depends on the specific variety of tomato.

When you NEVER want to peel and seed tomatoes is when you are making a very quick and simple, fresh tomato sauce....in which case you would chop the whole cored tomato, and cook it till it barely warms through and softens, while releasing just a part of its juices....its the ultimate in simple tomato essence, but really needs a light touch and exceptionally good ripe tomatoes.

View Uncle's video:


Dont forget to click 'Read More' to see The Tomato Gallery.




A group of Midsummer tomatoes, fully vine ripened, with one beautiful fruit topping out at a pound on the scale!

A jumbo tomato on the vine....MrMartha has big hands -- though it's hard to tell in this shot!

The row of potted tomato plants on MrMartha's deck...languishing in almost 14 hours of daily sun during July.

One days harvest in early August, enough for a week of salads, and canning up four quarts of goodness!

Rocky the dog, guarding the crop against a couple of clever gourmet crows, and a single pesky squirrel who had a thing for green cherry tomatoes!

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MrMartha's "NOT QUITE Pesto" Basil Cubes

Are you staring at Basil plants in the garden or potted on your deck -- valiantly trying to hold fast into fall, but starting to look tattered and shopworn?
It's so sad when the vigorous herbs of summer start to whither and fade, looking a bit like Aunt Sally's rather unfortunate slipcovers.
There is still time to sock away all that wonderful pungent flavor of summer -- into little cubes of dynamite that will wake up a spaghetti sauce, soup, or stew.....all winter long.

Not to mention having at hand an almost instant hors d'oeuvre option clear through spring.

If you have the Basil, MrMartha has three words for you.....
oil, Ice tray, freezer.
Well, okay, that's four words.

If you havent grown any Basil this summer, plan for next year, and instead buy a big bag of Basil Leaves at the grocery store or vegetable market (or preferably at a restaurant provisioner that is open to the public).

This is not true Pesto, as it does not include Pine Nuts or Parmesan Cheese. These Basil Cubes are just that....cubes of processed Basil with just enough oil to hold them together and stop oxidation of the leaves. It's SO SIMPLE.....takes no time, and the rewards of encapsulating summer flavor will burst forth in your mouth throughout the dark months.

Read More for the super simple instructions with photos, and a couple of additional easy ideas...

Here's what you do.....

Fill the container of your Food Processor with clean, trimmed Basil Leaves and soft stems (remove the woody, tough stems and leaf bases)
Approximately 8 cups of leaves for a batch in MrMartha's long suffering Cuisinart.

Drizzle about half a cup of decent vegetable oil over the leaves as you fill the work bowl. (doesn't have to be olive oil...but it does bring a lot to the party.)

Turn on the machine, and process while adding up to an additional cup of oil, to make a fairly smooth and glistening paste.

MrMartha prefers just enough oil to allow the Basil leaves to process finely, and hold together. You can adjust the mixture to your own preference by adding more oil, or adding more Basil leaves.....

Transfer the paste in spoonfuls to an Ice Cube Tray, cover the surface with plastic wrap, and place in the freezer till solid. Remove the solid cubes and place into a zipper freezer bag, store in the Freezer for up to about 6 months (After time, the may get some frost on the surface and look a bit dehydrated, but they are still good to go, just brush off the ice crystals with a paper towel.

You can also keep a jar if this mixture in the fridge for several weeks and use it at will. It will keep perfectly, just even the contents after each use, and float a thin layer of oil on top before closing the jar.

You can certainly make traditional Pesto instead, and freeze into cubes the same way. MrMartha is not a big fan of Pine Nuts, and actually prefers substituting toasted and ground Walnuts in his Pesto.

These little magic Basil bullets are incredible stirred into a red pasta sauce, tossed with pasta and some extra butter, and added to just about any soup, stew, or pot roast.


SUPER BONUS:
For a delicious easy nibble with crackers or baguette:

Thaw 3 frozen basil cubes in a small cup, pour or spoon off any liquid that accumulates during thawing.
Use a rotary mixer or food processor to combine the thawed cubes with a block of softened cream cheese. All your guests will be thrilled at something that is much better than Alouette or Rondele products, at a quarter of the cost..... while you smile to yourself with cleverness and frugality.

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Fifty Lashes with a homemade, hand rolled, perfectly al dente cooked, Fettuccini Noodle

MrMartha was addicted to Dear Abby as a child -- back in the (shudder) sixties.

Dear, Dear Abby, such a profound influence at the time when every home got the evening newspaper, had three television channels, and simple practical advice still had some weight.

Abby used to have a phrase she used a lot -- anytime someone was willfully, or passively, neglectful of another. "Fifty Lashes With a Wet Noodle", she would say....

Well, MrMartha has been somewhat sadly neglectful of this blog the past few weeks, so MrMartha hereby submits to fifty lashes with a homemade, hand rolled, perfectly al dente cooked, Fettuccini Noodle, and hereby promises to do better.

It has been a real whirlwind the past couple months settling into the new home (aka CASA MIDCENTURIA), after a decisive (meaning quick, oh so very quick) decision to depart a previous residence of sixteen years.....but MrMartha has been carefully documenting the process and progress, as well as canning projects, and amassing lots of other great stuff, design solutions, and downright super ideas.....now it is time to get it all put together, and share it with those brave souls who follow MrMartha's journey....

Now that MrMartha is back, don't be a stranger.

Ominous fact for the day: The holidays are just around the corner ......(wait, who said that?)
Let MrMartha help you through them.

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MrMartha's MidCentury Kitchen.....AFTER

MrMartha apologizes for not being more proactive with blog updates the past couple weeks.....but now that things are moderating and settling in at the new house, posting should return to a more regular frequency! Thank you to all the followers who have been loyal during this content drought, and a special thank you to those who have sent emails of inquiry and encouragement..

A MidCentury home has a great amount of style and an unmatched quirkiness, no question there. But, when largely intact -- with many original fixtures and systems -- it can be a bit like peeling a proverbial onion...one project exposes problems that lead to three other projects! That is certainly what has happened here. Luckily, MrMartha does not shy away from projects

MrMartha is pleased to note that the main kitchen is now past the paint stage.
READ MORE to see additional photos of the kitchen and learn more about the transformation.


All of the cabinets and integral trim have been done in the same subtle 'Latte' tone, with the ceiling painted in a lighter version of the same color. Given all the variation in the tile colors, it seemed the better option to just paint all cabinets alike, even though it may have been more correct (from a period standpoint) to have used different colors in the upper and lower cabinetry.

It was a bit of an archeological expedition to discover many of the paint colors of this kitchen's previous incarnations evident on inside drawer edges and other nooks and crannies....everything from a dusky pink, to a rather shocking salmon tone, to a deep forest green, have all been part of this kitchen's past. MrMartha cannot quite fathom what it must have looked like in many of those past color schemes!

Hammerite metallic paint was used for details like switchplates and for the trim strip between the tile work and the lower cabinets, it ties the newer stainless steel appliances together with the more vintage aspects of the kitchen, and helps unify things nicely.

The turquoise color on the walls has worked out well, though it required a lot of mixing and remixing of paint on the fly to get the exact right tone. In the end, it had to be assertive enough to balance off the yellow backsplash tiles, but not so strong as to totally take over the space. MrMartha feels he found an excellent balance. Adding some wonderful old MidCentury 'school cafeteria' chairs in a deeper turquoise, and matching that with a very simple gingham valance over the sink window, have added a nice note of punch and counterpoint to the wall color. Next will be deciding what to hang on the walls, and decorative accessories.

One note about the wonderful chrome and resin chairs....they were a find on CraigsList, and ended up costing $15.00 per chair! They look perfect in the space, are both a great scale and quite comfortable, proving once again that it's possible to be both very frugal and very stylish!!

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Take a Break For The Worlds Best Apple PIE !

MrMartha has been painting like crazy the past few days....a further update on that will follow soon.

MrMartha has been influenced a lot by his incredible Grandmother. She just turned 90 years old on July 1, still lives on her own, and is pretty remarkable in a lot of ways.

Everyone who knows her also knows that she bakes one of the best Apple Pies on the planet.

Recently, MrMartha's Uncle documented the process on video, and Grandma has actually figured out her recipe (she always just "did it by feel" so was tough to get the actual ingredient quantities).



MrMartha hopes you will enjoy a visit with his Grandma, and even if you are scared of baking...try the pie recipe...you won't regret it!! (click on the video box to get larger full format video)

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The Paint Store Follies

MrMartha has been suffering from Paint Paralysis the past ten days or so. It's a common but little studied malady that affects even the most ardent and color sure deadeyes among us.

It's that horrible chasm stretching in between "pretty much deciding on a paint chip" ------- and committing to having gallons of it mixed.

The more timid among us will opt to have some sample quarts mixed up and paint a bunch of test swatches -- drawing comfort (and perhaps insight) from this interim step. Not, however, those of us who take pride in knowing we can differentiate puce from cerise or heliotrope. With our eyes closed. In the middle of a bad dream.

MrMartha seems to have no trouble with puce vs cerise, especially since neither of those colors are in the palette for MidCentury Manor. The subtleties of turquoise, it would seem, are another matter. And, browns are absolutely deadly.

Luckily, MrMartha has an incredible local paint store, all they do is sell paint....no uber-chain--mega-mart-- home-improvement-supercenter--paint department for MrMartha. No way -- no how. The local option is always desirable, so long as it is quality and has competitive prices.

Today, MrMartha discovered that even with his proven history of dead reckoning skills, and a very sure eye -- one can never, never ever, trust a paint color to not be a complete surprise when it morphs from 4 square inches of chip, to a large expanse of surface.

Actually, it is not that bad. MrMartha was, in fact, right on the money with two of the colors, and got the third color right, just at the wrong intensity.
The fourth color, however, was so far out of the ballpark, that it's really making MrMartha's brain hurt a little bit just to have to write about it.
The other significant problem -- was an error by the paint store, though it took a bit of time and furrowed brow to figure out it was indeed NOT MrMartha's error, (and it is totally fixable).

Thus, our score, at the bottom of the 9th, with brushes loaded:
MrMartha: One home run, a second home run (when the paint store mistake is fixed), a strong triple, and the most heinous foul EVER.
Paint Store: One unforced error -- to be corrected.

Read More if you would like to know what MrMartha is going to do with all this paint!

As a child, MrMartha always wanted to grow up to name paint chips...it seemed way too much fun to have a job where you did nothing but look at colors and decide what to call them.
(Ambiguous Mushroom? White Hot Sand? Aubergine Over Easy?)
So, it has become a little personal quirk (among so many little personal quirks) for MrMartha to re-christen paint colors selected for projects with new titles.

At this point, the main living areas will be in a wonderful color that MrMartha is calling 'Carnation Leaf' ...a subtle grayed green that should behave like a cool tone in the summer, but still have a lot of warmth to it in the winter. It's a modernized variation on the classic slate green that was so common in mid century decorating.

The main Kitchen is still a bit of a gamble...when working with three strong distinct colors of vintage ceramic tile, the only thing that makes sense is to add three additional colors of paint. Well, it makes sense in MrMartha's world anyway.

At present, the plan is to paint the upper cabinets and ceiling a wonderful shade of cream that MrMartha is calling 'Latte Froth' (it's Ok to be cliche with paint names).
The walls will be a turquoise that is a slight departure from 'ToM (The other Martha) Signature Blue'. Unfortunately, while MrMartha picked a great color, it is too vibrant, so toning it down at 50% with white base should make it exactly right.
The lower cabinets were supposed to be a darkish gingerbread tone...but this is where we run into the big foul. The paint, as ordered, turned out to be sort of electric yellow ochre (filthy lying paint chip).
MrMartha didn't realize that there could be acid color earth tones...
but there you are.
With a little luck, the paint store can work their alchemy with a re-tint, and relax the panicky ochre hue into the rich 'Sticky Molasses' color MrMartha has a clear mental image of.

So, a few days and a lot of masking tape, and we will see how it all comes out....MrMartha will keep you posted. Cross your fingers.

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A Magnificent Sunset

Nothing like a visit from the Welcome Wagon when you move to a new home....

In MrMartha's case, the Welcome Wagon took the form of the most magnificent sunset EVER.
Not a bad way to be welcomed to the neighborhood, and end a first evening in the new home. It was absolutely hypnotic.

The new view is truly magnificent....
almost as exciting as all the wonderful MidCentury quirks inside the house.

MrMartha hopes you have a great weekend ahead!

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MrMartha Welcomes you to MidCentury Manor

Greetings after a bit of a hiatus during the move....
MrMartha has not actually fallen off the face of the earth, it has just felt like it.

Rocky the dog is getting used to his new home -- he is probably adapting a bit better than MrMartha at this point -- but things will continue to come together.....and none too soon, as this is starting to feel like an unsettling dream that one cannot quite awaken from.

The furniture and box moving portion of this adventure is complete, and MrMartha is surrounded by stacks of belongings yet to be unpacked, and furniture pushed helter skelter into the center of the rooms. But, this too shall pass!

A fresh coat of paint in the main rooms will be happening over the weekend and next week, and then the actual settling in can start.

The bones of the new house are great, the vintage details, and even the quirky aspects being discovered, are all going to make this a fantastic place to live -- MrMartha will be sharing the process and transformation with you as it unfolds.

MrMartha also brought many plants and starts from the old garden, and those will get transplanted into the landscape here this weekend as well.

It will probably be a couple weeks before MrMartha's kitchen's are back up and functioning...but lots of great posts with recipes, food, and entertaining ideas will return to the blog soon....
MrMartha thanks you for your patience!

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One of MrMartha's New Kitchen's

It's certainly a case of Back To The Future for MrMartha.

Here are a few BEFORE photos of one of the two kitchens in MrMartha's new MidCentury digs....
Basically good bones, appliances run a bit of the gamut, some have been updated fairly recently, some not so recently. The 'Space Age' (circa 1967) push button cooktop is going to require a rather interesting learning curve, no question there....but MrMartha reserves judgment for the time being.

Funny thing, the wall oven is exactly the same one in MrMartha's Mother's kitchen...so that is certainly familiar.

There is also an in-counter Nutone Kitchen system from the 50's which is presently not working....if any readers have any information about repairing or replacing this bit of formerly futuristic time capsule, MrMartha would love to hear about it.

Like any new kitchen, there will be adjustments, and readjustments....especially after cooking in the same kitchen for sixteen years and knowing the way around it blindfolded! But, hey, life is about change -- right? and it's not just a kitchen, it's an adventure.

MrMartha is anxious to get some new paint on the walls, cupboards, and trim; to change the cabinet pulls, and a few other minor things that will give the space a fresh and totally new look!

The next week is going to continue to be crazy with the relocation, but MrMartha will keep updating progress on the blog as time allows.

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Laura Petrie would LOVE both of them.....

MrMartha just survived a whirlwind several days of preparing for, and hosting, a Moving Sale last weekend... YIKES!! More about that little 'Comedy of Errors' to follow soon.

MrMartha does want to share with you -- two of the bathrooms in the new house... "new" -- as the photos will confirm -- being a relative term.

MrMartha is going to have a lot of fun transforming these spaces -- with just the most basic paint and ingenuity... as they say: a lot of paint and a little ingenuity will take you far (or is it the other way around?).

What the baths lack in the most current level of modern convenience -- like deep multiple sinks, and a large separate shower stall with multiple showerheads (Shower in the current house: MrMartha will miss you most of all !!) -- they more than make up for in functional charm.

How will this end up? Keep checking back.....MrMartha isn's quite sure, and Laura Petrie, if she knows, is keeping quiet for the time being....she just doesn't want anyone getting their big toe stuck in the bath faucet.

Read More for a pic of the second bath, and more of MrMartha's thoughts....

MrMartha will be following his own advice from the "Million Dollar Bathroom" post a few weeks ago....and will of course be sharing the completed results here......this is just a little BEFORE preview.....who says things were dull in the 50's?

Laura Petrie would feel right at home in either of these Mid Century Spas -- the epitomy in their era, of both ease (the abundance of tile), and elegance (the fashion forward -- for the time -- colors). But, the question is, how to keep the integrity of the period, and still drag them carefully forward towards the present day --

MrMartha has a rotating color wheel of paint chips clicking through his brain right now, for both baths.....deepest burgundy? the exact same blue of the fixtures? (probably not -- reinforcing the pink and baby blue theme would make that bath seem like a very sterile nursery!), taupey gray? the same Tiffany-ish blue as the bath in the current house? (MrMartha does love that color, and the pink/oxblood tile combination is exactly the same as the current house) .....or, as they would say in Monty Python --"and now, for something completely different".
If readers have ideas or suggestions, send them by email!

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Thoroughly (Mid Century) Modern MrMartha

MrMartha apologizes in advance that his postings will be a bit erratic over the next couple weeks --
MrMartha is relocating to a FABULOUS Mid Century Modern 1950s home, and that will limit ability to keep up the daily posting that MrMartha tries to maintain.

MrMartha has loved his current home, but is running out of new projects -- both with interiors and in the garden. So, difficult as it will be to say goodbye, the exciting new challenges of:
Decorating the fresh spaces,
Rehabilitating wonderful period details in the home,
Planning and realizing a revitalized garden (from a somewhat currently neglected and tired yard),
will soon be filling MrMartha's project book to capacity.

It will be wonderful to share all of that with the readers of MrMartha's blog... along with the Great Food, Style, and other content and tips you have come to expect from MrMartha...
please bear with MrMartha during this short transition period, and the future will be amazing.

MrMartha will be back to full speed quickly, with tons of new posts -
packed with ideas and suggestions.
Plus, of course, awesome recipes and entertaining ideas -- brought to you from MrMartha's TWO new KITCHENS -- yes, the new house has two kitchens, so MrMartha will have one for everyday cooking, and a second dedicated to entertaining and producing blog posts......how exciting is that? MrMartha is THRILLED!

PLEASE KEEP CHECKING BACK, you never know just what you will find on MrMartha.com --but it will always be interesting, useful, fun, and with MrMartha's definite point of view!

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