Thursday, December 6, 2012

The World of Henry Orient


Each of the apartments in our building on Embassy Row were time capsules for the lives their inhabitants had left behind in the places they called Home. Without access to anything of the moment, the event of a newcomer was a glimpse into the future. My family was the Camelot edition of the 1963 Holiday Season.


My parents were young and stylish with important people to meet and places to go. A babysitter for the evening was found in Ground Floor, Apartment 1A; an English War Bride having lived in our building since the Atomic Age with her GI husband and teenaged son.


Dr. Denton footsteps outside their apartment door, sing song greetings from the most astonishing looking woman I had ever seen. Hair in pink curlers, eyes framed in black, pink chiffon swirling with every step she took. A cigarette in one hand that never seemed to reach her lips, a tiny white poodle tucked under her arm. "Won't you come in and have a look at the tree!"


I will never forget the evening my brother and I spent side by side entranced by the sight of a silver Christmas tree that whirred as it turned from pink to blue to green.Time had stood still in a most delightful way in Apartment 1A.

A trip to the Antique Mall found a few Atomic Age items coming home with me. The Napco Christmas girl is a planter standing about seven inches tall. It is marked with the year I was born, 1958. What a lucky find!

32 comments:

Tammy's in Love said...

The beautiful Christmas Napco is so YOU! Beautiful find, loved the story, may a silver tinsel tree and rotating colored disk find their way to you in your Atomic Age holiday!

Unknown said...

I had an "Aunt" Bea, she really wasn't my aunt but a dear friend of my mothers. I haven't thought of her in years, she had a tinsel tree too. She was always so sweet to me & I thought she was so modern & amazing. She would sit me in her lap & we would watch the colors change. Thank you Elizabeth for jogging a sweet memory in my mind with your story. Night!

ImagiMeri said...

My grandparents, of all people, had a tinsel tree full of bubble lights and the requisite color wheel underneath. I thought it was magical.

Hugs,
Meri

Perfectly Printed said...

My family had a tinsel tree for years!! My dad had blue flood lights that he purchased just for the tree!! It was very cool!! Love your story!

chris

NanaDiana said...

Love all your "stuff". I smiled at the part about you and your brother gazing at the tinsel tree. What a fun memory- xo Diana

Erica of Golden Egg Vintage said...

I love your new girlie girl planter, and I love reading about your memories from childhood even more! My very first tinsel tree is up and in the process of being decorated! Very Atomic Age!
Erica :)

RetroSandie said...

That was a nice trip back in time-a neat story and darling pix to go with it!! That WAS a good find-your little Napco girl. Hard to find pretty little vintage figurines in good condition. I'm glad you found her!!!
Hugs, Sandie

Musings from Kim K. said...

I always love your reflective stories. Your figurine is just darling. I'm glad she was waiting for the perfect home.

vivian said...

oh you have the best memories! I cant remember anything!
happy weekend dear friend!
xoxo

DearHelenHartman said...

How have I NOT found and followed your blog before now??? Have corrected that instantly. SO identify with your memories. I thought my folks were like the model for Rob and Laura Petrie. We lived in Japan in that time frame and so we have TONS of Japanese Christmas kitsch, it just says Holidays to me, thanks!

My Vintage Mending said...

She is beautiful. You know how much I love a sweet silver tree...enjoy your little girl. Smiles..Renee

LBP said...

Your stories carry me right along with you with your memories! Great buys from the antique store!

Blessings

Linda

craftyles said...

Love the Napco and to find it from your birth year? It was meant to be. Isn't it funny how everyone had cigarettes all the time, back then? Glad that has changed!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

A beautiful walk down memory lane with wonderful Christmas characters to enjoy! I love your vintage Santa and sleigh...and all of your pretties. I mentioned you on my blog this morning! Sweet hugs!

the vanilla squirrel said...

...such gorgeous retro decorations and a lovely story...i remember my nana's tree changed colour like that too...i thought it was magicx

Sally Annie Magundy said...

Elizabeth! I love your childhood references, they always stir sleeping memories for me - I saw The World of Henry Orient with my mom as a child when it came out. I'll have to see if I can rent it.

Love all your holiday decor and merriness!

Sally xo

Cindy said...

I love those vintage decorations!

Cindy said...

I love those vintage decorations!

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

She's so pretty! A silver tinsel tree is just pure lovely :) Wishing you a wonderful weekend full of Christmas joy! :) xo Holly

Ina said...

What a lucky find indeed! ;p Hair curlers...I remember sleeping in those! ;p

Linda said...

I can picture it all now!
My son has the aluminum Christmas tree that his grandmother put up every year from the 50's until her death in 2001. It is a treasure!

vintage grey said...

What a beautiful Napco Christmas girl!! I just adore tinsel trees, and hope to find one soon!! Have a lovely weekend! xo Heather

Denise said...

Memories are told so well by you and I can relate to each one.Do you think it's because We must be close to the same age? Please keep up telling us your wonderful stories.I just got My new camera.My next post you will see your gift to Me :) ox Denise

Shirley Hatfield said...

I know I'm probably silly, but I love those cheap soft plastic Santas in their sleighs. One day at the thrift store Grand Opening they put out tons of vintage tacky Christmas. I could not believe there was so much at one time. I greedily filled my cart with all the goodies...there were several different Santa/sleighs. Also Santa and snowmen in various activities. They graced my outdoor window wreaths for years!

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

OH -- I too was transported back in time by your story! Our neighbor Mary had the silver tree with color wheel. She was not able to have children so she collected life size dolls and dressed them all for Christmas. A bit creepy now that I think about it but as a kid, her home was like a little girl's paradise!

donna said...

Your decorations are so cute. I just love all your vintageyness.
Hugs
donna

Laura said...

Thank you for taking me down memory lane, it makes me warm inside! That little putz house reminds me of one of the many that my dad had under the tree in his winter village.

Happy holidays,

Laura and Michele

Safari said...

Just wanted to thank you for your blog. I have been following you for some time now and never tire of your posts, crafts, and pictures of your beautiful home. I have gleaned many ideas that I have used in my home and find your honesty in sharing your life so refreshing. You are a blessing to so many people. Thank you for you.

Safari said...

Just wanted to thank you for your blog. I have been following you for some time now and never tire of your posts, crafts, and pictures of your beautiful home. I have gleaned many ideas that I have used in my home and find your honesty in sharing your life so refreshing. You are a blessing to so many people. Thank you for you.

Leslie G said...

Elizabeth, I'm so happy to have found your blog! You are such a soft and creative soul. Thank you so much for sharing so much beauty.

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