Freddie Fortune's fab '50s pad.

Other people's stuff

Find inspiration in the fab fads of the past.

by Christina Kallery
4/26/00

You never know when you'll stumble across the best find yet.

With retro-mania running amok in both contemporary design and hip circles, vintage pieces have become increasingly popular. Some collectors stick with a single style, such as art deco or ‘60s decor, while others mix eras to assemble a look all their own.

Some wily metro Detroiters are experts at spotting the treasure, even in your basement trash. Royal Oak resident Freddy Fortune acquired his ‘50s blonde living room set, complete with leather-topped tables, at an estate sale.

"I try to stick with ‘50s upstairs," says Fortune, singer for the ‘60s garage band The Four Gone Conclusions. Overall, early ‘70s furniture is as modern as he likes, and that’s pushing it.

Fortune’s passion for old rock ‘n’ roll naturally translated into his lust for furniture and collectibles from the golden age.

"This house looks the way it does because of rock ‘n’ roll," he says.

Fortune’s place is a veritable museum, not only for vintage records and memorabilia, but also furniture and accessories. A ‘50s Olympic hi-fi blares oldies from the corner, a pink free-standing ‘50s Ericophone is accessible from the couch, vintage stag magazines are spread on the coffee table, a Haywood Wakefield bamboo furniture set waits downstairs for Fortune to set up his tiki bar.

"The stuff I like is what would be considered on the fringe of good taste ... The more way-out the better." Hence the mounted pheasant’s head procured for a dollar at a garage sale.

Years of scouring thrift stores and hitting rummage sales have resulted in a sharp eye for treasures. Vintage collectors all know that you never know when you’ll stumble across the best find yet.

"The quest goes on," he admits.

For Ypsilanti residents, co-owners of a design business and avid retro scenesters Andrew and Patricia Claydon, hunting down finds is as exciting as the actual purchase.

"Half the fun of it is in digging," says Patricia. "We used to go out every weekend."

Estate sales, antique stores and flea markets are the usual destinations, but the Claydons aren’t opposed to a little garbage picking.

"I found this on the side of the road," Andrew smiles, indicating the ‘50s hi-fi in their living room. Other strokes of luck include a red chair ($5 by the side of a different road – and it came with a tea cart) and the ‘50s red sofa set that a tenant in their apartment building was giving away.

Currently, the Claydon home features both retro and contemporary elements, with a new (yet retro-appearing) red shag rug, minimalist end tables and metal shelving units from Crate & Barrel. In the kitchen, a ‘40s dinette set with red accents stands beneath the window, setting off several bright vases.

Since Andrew and Patricia enjoy a change in decor every so often (and they can’t seem to stop looking), a storage space holds past finds, with room for future additions.

In time, a hobby of this sort turns into an investment. "You’re going to pay either way," notes Andrew. "Your time or your money."

But it’s also a creative outlet. "A lot of people are very purist about (blending periods)," says Patricia. "But we like to mix it up."

Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong way to incorporate retro elements into a design scheme, if you even have one.

"If you like something, get it," Andrew advises. And like any other facet of your life, it’ll be your own personality that brings it all together.

Christina Kallery writes about cool stuff for the Metro Times.