mixing different-decade-decor beneath one 200-year-old london stone house roof is like playing johnny mathis at a downtown industrial loft party -- it's a good thing.

i love seeing kartell FL/Y suspension lamps and etched glass curios cabinets living side-by-side.  even my nemesis -- the over-sized black TV -- looks sorta groovy thanks to the atelier abigail ahern book wallpaper and some well placed amps.

now let's cue up the nirvana and get this party started.

{via desire to inspire.}

...the experimental years.

{top image:  audrey models feather hat designed by edwin blumenfeld and made by mister fred in 1952;  bottom:  audrey poses for richard avedon in 1967.}

behold -- a blushing bunny and a puppy having a tea party beneath a pair of george nelson bubble lamps.  that's the way a tea party should be, and thanks to the artist asia, it is.

sometimes, i can't decide what i like the most about tea parties -- the bonnets or the caffeine?

{above:  1. calm before the story tea set (54.99);  2. studio pirsc skull tea pot (65.00);  3.  familia tea pot by normann copenhagen (172.00);  4. red tulip tea kit (29.99);  5.  marimekko tea set (150.00).}

{asia tea party illustration via decor8!}

if only it would dream about me.

{david trubridge coral pendant paint (top) and kina pendant natural (bottom) available here.}

aka whorange swans.

{swans by los angeles based artist jesse draxler.  prints available here.}

mad men's deliciously dark opening credit sequence goes bossanova variety-hour in this reimagined, saul bass-inspired, animation by paul rogers.

in this version, pete campbell rides the subway, so you know it's a comedy.  i really hope every episode concludes with peggy and don dancing the frug.

{via ny mag.}

add a little twinkle beneath your toes.

learn how to do it at diary of a crafty chica.

{via apartment therapy.}

dear WHORANGE,

as a long time reader & WHORANGE peddler, i come to you with a challenge to solve with all of your fabulous mod/vintage/amazingness.  i am starting a new job at a financial firm after years in the wild advertising world.  as a graphic designer who is obsessed with 60s style and my own personal collection of kitchy owl & fish necklaces, what am i supposed to wear!?!  i want to be professional, and dress in the appropriate business causal, but i am petrified of the idea my wardrobe will transition to a sea of grey tweed, paisley button ups, and general banana republicism.  i don't think I will be able to show my face in polite society if that is my destiny.

and so I am asking you to write a blog entry on those of us caught in the vortex of corporate america, clinging to any strings of mod joy we can reach. HELP US, HELP US DRESS TO THE NINES!!!!!!

faithfully waiting,
ashley

**************************************

dearest ashley,

congratulations on your new job, darling.  i'm sure you'll be the belle of the business ball!

yes, i do believe it is possible to clock-in corporate casual without becoming a fashion fuddy-duddy.  naturally, pulling it off is all in the attitude (which you have in glorious spades!), so even if you're donning grey tweed, you have the panache to pull it off.

start with a classic silhouette, nothing strappy (unless you're covering up with a fitted blazer or cardigan), and add few small vintage accessories so you'll feel like yourself while still complying to the office dress code. 

also, mix pops of color in with muted tones to keep things fresh and fab.

{above: 1. tupelo dress (168.00);  2. take action dress (168.00);  3. taupe for the best dress (120.99);  4. vintage 1960s slingback touring torino heels (38.00);  5.  kate spade bixby clutch (325.00);  6. retro dollie earrings (9.99);  7. 1960s vintage inspired gold tone pen necklace (20.00);  8. seychelles aquamarine mustard heels (49.99).}

{above:  1. lemon liftoff blouse (118.00);  2. ASOS red lunar cross body bag (103.43);  3. estée lauder double wear stay-in-place lipstick in mulberry (23.00);  4. owl ring (11.99);  5. midnight meeting oxfords (198.00);  6. fontanka trousers (147.00).}

{above:  1. daisy daze eyelet dress in green $67.99;  2. rough stone earrings (46.00);   3. kate spade fiorella may short necklace (103.00);  4. owl earrings (15.99);  5.  emilia's charm leather cutout heels in beige (49.99);  6. kate spade flicker stevie purse (276.00).}

and, YES!  mad men's costume designer, janie bryant, has created an exclusive mad men-inspired designs for banana republic's fall 2011 line!  (perhaps she did this in your honor?)  i know you're afraid of looking like a banana republican, but can your resist this collection?   i have my eye on the red and grey dress.  meow!  check out the entire collection here.

hope this helps, miss ashley!

stay pretty,
tula

questions, queries, or dilemmas?  drop me a line at [email protected].  if you begin your email with "dear WHORANGE, your hair looks fantastic today," you may receive a speedier reply.

if i read japanese, i would give you more info on these glorious images of eames and herman miller furniture sitting pretty in japan, circa 1967.  but, alas, i am monolingual.

however, i can tell you that whenever i go to the rose bowl flea market, all of my favorite mid-century vendors tell me that their best customers are japanese tourists.  they are the first in line, willing to pay top dollar, and they scoop up all of the best vintage wares.  this puts sunday snails like me picking through the sloppy seconds.

yes, somewhere in japan, there are homes bedazzled with saarinen, eames, knoll, miller and bertoia furniture hailing from the rose bowl flea.  i wonder who scored the pieces in the images above?

{via the fabulous miss deedee9:14.}

a stunning example of proper accessorizing.

{from the photography series "more than my face" by mitsuko nagone.} {via designlovefest.}