Moss Lamps Add That Special Twist
By Donald-Brian Johnson, Contributing Writer
Photos by Leslie Pina

Here’s the situation: It’s your turn to play host. You want the gang to be impressed, and you’ve done your best with the decor. It’s OK. But you want more than OK. You want a focal point. You want that one, wonderful object that will leave them gasping. You want a Moss lamp.

Once seen, a Moss lamp is never forgotten. These plexiglas marvels of the 1940s and ’50s not only invite attention, they demand it. Produced by San Francisco’s Moss Manufacturing Company, the lamps were born of necessity. Originally, Moss made traditional metal lamps, but with the dawn of World War II and metal rationing, a new raw material was needed. Company owner Gerry Moss turned to staff designer Duke Smith. Smith’s answer: plexiglas. Developed in 1934, plexi had a number of points in its favor: it was inexpensive, it was novel, it was easy to work with, and, most importantly, it wasn’t rationed. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 32% [?]

Posted on Jun 9th, 2008 by the editor | No Comments »

Higgins is “A Glass Act”
By Donald-Brian Johnson, Contributing Writer
Photos by Leslie Piña

Sometimes, all it takes to rev up a retro decor is the right accessory. And, when it comes to just the right decorative touch, the choice is as clear as glass–Higgins glass!

These fused glass pieces from the fabulous ’50s combine an arresting mix of geometric and curved lines with a bold use of colors. Whatever your decorating scheme calls for–from eye-popping oranges to cool blues–the vast and vivid Higgins inventory is guaranteed to have what you’re looking for. Continue Reading »

Popularity: 30% [?]

Posted on May 10th, 2008 by the editor | No Comments »