“Some painters transform the sun

into a yellow spot; others transform a yellow spot into the sun.”
~Pablo Picasso

Well, I am getting ready to brighten up the exterior of the shop...the painters are coming...the painters are coming...see this set on the porch...that will be an accent color...we are going pure whimsical cottage look...building will be white...touches of green and yellow as accents.I have been thinking about the current times and reflecting on the 1970s...the set above is pure 70s. We sat in gas lines...odd/even days...mortgage rates went from 8% up to 13%, and President Nixon even put price controls in effect (no Federal Reserve in those days). Research shows that the country's inflation rate was running in double digits and the cost of borrowing money reflected this fact. Novelist Tom Wolfe coined the term Me decade in his article "The 'Me' Decade and the Third Great Awakening", published by New York Magazine in August 1976 referring to the 1970s. Wolfe describes this abandoning of communal spirit of the 60s and turning to New Deal politics as "taking the money and running." The oil crisis was front and center. We were still in Vietnam, the Soviets were fighting in Afghanistan, and the Mideast was in turmoil as was Africa. (History always explains things, doesn't it?)

But, in these times, color was everywhere...disco was in...
Somehow, despite the trying times, we managed to enjoy! As a writer commented, "Amid war, social realignment and presidential impeachment proceedings, American culture flourished. Indeed, the events of the times were reflected in and became the inspiration for much of the music, literature, entertainment, and even fashion of the decade."

Colors were bright green and blue, black and white, yellow and white, pink and purple, yellow and orange, yellow and green and also pink and green. Despite the shabby white, colors are creeping back into the decorating scene. Chenille bedspreads were hugely popular. Mushrooms, flowers and geometrics were popular themes and were always printed in bright or bold colors.

I still like the mix...and the new Flea Market Style magazine (available in the shop)is reflecting that.So, as we get ready to revamp the outside, the treasures inside will still be that unique mix of whatever strikes my fancy!

“Not to wax nostalgic about the 1970’s, but back then people got upset when they saw injustice. They got tired of seeing our air, land and water polluted. They were shocked when the Cuyahoga River in Ohio was polluted so badly it caught fire. And on one great day 20 million Americans marched all across this land. Politicians had no choice but to take notice.” ~John Kerry