http://www.ultraswank.net Retro Living and Design from the 50s, 60s and 70s Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:56:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.ultraswank.net/stores/a-mid-century-shopping-centre-in-northern-sweden/ http://www.ultraswank.net/stores/a-mid-century-shopping-centre-in-northern-sweden/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:30:42 +0000 Chris http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=3631 Shopping is one of Europe’s first interior shopping centers ever built. This mid-century gem is hidden away in the cold northern parts of Sweden. It was designed by famous British-Swedish architect Ralph Erskine and built in 1955. Erskine wanted to create something that would be enjoyable for everyone all year round, not being dependent on [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/stores/a-mid-century-shopping-centre-in-northern-sweden/feed/ 1 http://www.ultraswank.net/design/retro-christmas-cards/ http://www.ultraswank.net/design/retro-christmas-cards/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:00:05 +0000 Chris http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=3615 From WhatsBuzzin.com, comes a handful of original, well designed retro Holiday Cards that trend with the popularity of 1950s and 1960s themes as seen in the television shows “Mad Men“, “Pan Am” and 2011 film “The Help“. Featuring fun, nostalgic images of 1950′s and ’60′s Retro American Christmas. Set up the aluminum tree, plug in [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/design/retro-christmas-cards/feed/ 2 http://www.ultraswank.net/film/destination-london/ http://www.ultraswank.net/film/destination-london/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:06:58 +0000 Oline Eaton http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=3605 Sometimes, the city in which a movie is set plays a role more important than that of the main characters and, over the years, many filmmakers have been drawn to the old school majesty of London. Here are a few films where London—a city of striking contrasts— makes an appearance. Indiscreet (1958) “How dare he make [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/film/destination-london/feed/ 0 http://www.ultraswank.net/film/destination-new-york/ http://www.ultraswank.net/film/destination-new-york/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:03:30 +0000 Oline Eaton http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=3581 Sometimes, the city in which a movie is set plays a role more important than that of the main characters and, over the years, many filmmakers have been drawn to the crusty liveliness of New York. Here are a few films where, even when cast alongside screen legends like Audrey Hepburn, Robert Redford and Marlon Brando, New [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/film/destination-new-york/feed/ 3 http://www.ultraswank.net/film/destination-paris/ http://www.ultraswank.net/film/destination-paris/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:15:47 +0000 Oline Eaton http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=3560 Sometimes, the city in which a movie is set plays a role more important than that of the main characters and the City of Love, in particular, has long been a favorite of filmmakers. Here are a few films where, even when cast alongside screen legends like Audrey Hepburn and Marlon Brando, Paris was undoubtedly [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/film/destination-paris/feed/ 0 http://www.ultraswank.net/readable/monte-%e2%80%93-king-of-atom-age-monster-decals/ http://www.ultraswank.net/readable/monte-%e2%80%93-king-of-atom-age-monster-decals/#comments Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:11:44 +0000 Baron von Swankenstein http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=3259 In America, the 1950s and 60s spawned The Monster Kids. These were kids, mostly pre-adolescent boys, who assembled Aurora model kits of Frankenstein or Dracula after school; read Tales From The Crypt comics with a flashlight under the covers at bed time; and sneaked downstairs on Saturdays to watch the late-night horror movie show on [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/readable/monte-%e2%80%93-king-of-atom-age-monster-decals/feed/ 1 http://www.ultraswank.net/science/our-friend-the-atom-%e2%80%93-part-3/ http://www.ultraswank.net/science/our-friend-the-atom-%e2%80%93-part-3/#comments Fri, 08 Apr 2011 05:32:10 +0000 James Vaughan http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=3225 The religion of The Atom died with Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. With that fall from grace came the end of many of our utopian dreams. A responsible future of conservation and organic carrots just wasn’t very exciting. Although widespread use of the atom remains controversial; 436 reactors remain the source of 15 per cent [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/science/our-friend-the-atom-%e2%80%93-part-3/feed/ 0 http://www.ultraswank.net/science/our-friend-the-atom-%e2%80%93-part-2/ http://www.ultraswank.net/science/our-friend-the-atom-%e2%80%93-part-2/#comments Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:39:04 +0000 James Vaughan http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=3194 Atomic power was projected to be very cheap. We were going to have electricity coming out of our ears! We would not have to import oil from crazy foreigners or dig up whole states looking for coal. Utility companies and government agencies around the world took up the chant of the mighty atom. Nuclear power [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/science/our-friend-the-atom-%e2%80%93-part-2/feed/ 0 http://www.ultraswank.net/roadtrip/a-visit-to-london-in-1957/ http://www.ultraswank.net/roadtrip/a-visit-to-london-in-1957/#comments Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:38:42 +0000 Chris http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=3185 A trip to yesteryear London in 1957, about a decade before the height of “Swinging London” with its youth oriented fashion, music, art and culture scenes. Places depicted are among others Cambridge Circus, Palace Pier and Trafalgar Square. What do you prefer, London in 1957 or 2011? Photos by Kai Krog Halse (Via)]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/roadtrip/a-visit-to-london-in-1957/feed/ 0 http://www.ultraswank.net/science/our-friend-the-atom-%e2%80%93-part-1/ http://www.ultraswank.net/science/our-friend-the-atom-%e2%80%93-part-1/#comments Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:32:06 +0000 James Vaughan http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=3163 No modern technology has ever had such a schizophrenic and complicated identity as Atomic Energy. It is often presented in mystical terms. A Pandora’s Box of knowledge that cannot be unlearned. The magical Genie that can do both help or harm but cannot be returned to his bottle. Nuclear Power is the ultimate parable of [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/science/our-friend-the-atom-%e2%80%93-part-1/feed/ 0 http://www.ultraswank.net/stores/shopping-spree-part-10/ http://www.ultraswank.net/stores/shopping-spree-part-10/#comments Wed, 12 Jan 2011 23:15:46 +0000 Chris http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=2983 Let’s kick off the new year by spending some of that hard earned money at the local shopping center. Perhaps a new color television, that black suit that’s now on sale or why not a new kitchen appliance for the wifey? There is something for everyone. Where shall we go first? Montgomery Ward, SS Kresgne, [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/stores/shopping-spree-part-10/feed/ 2 http://www.ultraswank.net/design/keeping-up-with-the-future/ http://www.ultraswank.net/design/keeping-up-with-the-future/#comments Thu, 09 Dec 2010 06:59:23 +0000 Amy Thyr http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=2902 With all the running around preparing for the holidays and shopping for that perfect gift, I always find myself exhausted by New Year’s and once again… no new calendar! Usually by the time I get around to getting one I’ve missed at least January. But not this year! I’ve found some gorgeous mid-century modern calendars [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/design/keeping-up-with-the-future/feed/ 0 http://www.ultraswank.net/roadtrip/stockholm-street-scenes-then-and-now/ http://www.ultraswank.net/roadtrip/stockholm-street-scenes-then-and-now/#comments Thu, 18 Nov 2010 06:16:03 +0000 Chris http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=2818 Time for some more nostalgia, this time from Stockholm, Sweden. I always find it amazing how quickly things can change, usually it’s for the better – but anyone who reads this blog knows that’s not true at all. Depicted are a bunch of street scenes from the capital of Sweden, taken between 1945 and 1978. [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/roadtrip/stockholm-street-scenes-then-and-now/feed/ 7 http://www.ultraswank.net/music/lambert-hendricks-ross-three-jazz-vocalists/ http://www.ultraswank.net/music/lambert-hendricks-ross-three-jazz-vocalists/#comments Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:09:38 +0000 Steven Padal http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=2704 Lady’s and gentlemen, grab your partner, cause it’s time for some be-boppin’! Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross are three jazz vocalists that formed in 1957. The trio unfortunately were not active for many years and ended their trio in 1962. Though, Ross was replaced Yolande Bavan in 1962 and continued through 1964. The [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/music/lambert-hendricks-ross-three-jazz-vocalists/feed/ 0 http://www.ultraswank.net/film/thoughts-on-8-women/ http://www.ultraswank.net/film/thoughts-on-8-women/#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 05:03:13 +0000 Jesse Kowalski http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=2533 If you have been craving a well-written period murder mystery, then look no further than Radley Metzger’s The Cat and the Canary. However, if your tastes tend toward lush murder mystery musicals, then take a look at 8 Women. 8 Women has plot twists galore, and since I’m not one to spoil, this review will [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/film/thoughts-on-8-women/feed/ 1 http://www.ultraswank.net/fashion/1950s-skincare-for-women/ http://www.ultraswank.net/fashion/1950s-skincare-for-women/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 05:41:03 +0000 Guest http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=2137 Dishwashing liquid commercials vary in their subject matter. Either they take an eco-friendly approach, tug at your heartstrings by demonstrating how they save animals affected by an oil spill, or they show the product’s grease-cutting power. The Palmolive brand has come a long way from its origins as a beauty product. The above ad from [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/fashion/1950s-skincare-for-women/feed/ 1 http://www.ultraswank.net/advertising/future-forcaster-radebaugh/ http://www.ultraswank.net/advertising/future-forcaster-radebaugh/#comments Mon, 19 Apr 2010 05:45:01 +0000 James Vaughan http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=2074 “Closer Than We Think!” shouts the headline. It looks like a comic and probably ran in the funnies section of the Sunday Chicago Tribune and it’s affiliates. During the late 1950′s and early 1960′s artist Arthur Radebaugh forecast a soon to be techno-future of magical and fantastic innovation. As a regular feature in widespread newspaper [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/advertising/future-forcaster-radebaugh/feed/ 1 http://www.ultraswank.net/daydreaming/the-glittering-lights-of-broadway-in-the-1950s/ http://www.ultraswank.net/daydreaming/the-glittering-lights-of-broadway-in-the-1950s/#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2010 05:33:30 +0000 Chris http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=2062 A short movie that takes us back 60 years or so, to a time when Broadway and Times Square were the theater and entertainment capital of the USA. Pre Disneyfication and massive tourist invasions. For those of you who likes numbers, there were apparently 40 million twinkling lights around Broadway back then. Many of these [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/daydreaming/the-glittering-lights-of-broadway-in-the-1950s/feed/ 3 http://www.ultraswank.net/roadtrip/san-francisco-in-1958/ http://www.ultraswank.net/roadtrip/san-francisco-in-1958/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:34:03 +0000 Chris http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=1996 For those of you who saw the posts about the Disneyland home movies taken in 1956, only a year after the park opened will most likely appreciate that the author of those videos have found another treasure from his grandparents home movie archive, San Francisco in 1958. The movie guides us around a few urban [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/roadtrip/san-francisco-in-1958/feed/ 5 http://www.ultraswank.net/design/retro-inspired-personal-computer/ http://www.ultraswank.net/design/retro-inspired-personal-computer/#comments Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:52:50 +0000 Chris http://www.ultraswank.net/?p=1870 The ’50s are back and making its way into the design of everyday gadgetry. If you are a fan of Apple’s personal computers I bet you will dig this concept for a home computer. The “Philco PC” takes its inspiration from the 1954 design classic Philco Predicta, as well as an eclectic mixture of modern [...]]]> http://www.ultraswank.net/design/retro-inspired-personal-computer/feed/ 7