Vintage Cards & Greetings

We have a cute selection of vintage Valentine's Day cards and paper. Some are old and original. Some are retro reproductions using older images. Many to choose from.....

We have some darling new (old stock) cards in the shop. Springtime birds as well as occasion cards. Birthday and plain notecards. All vintage and unused. Many 1950's-60's styles to choose from.

Paper Trail

The Rita Deco Nostalgia Shop is full of interesting paper finds. Old advertising, photos, postcards, travel brochures, retro menus, catalogs and magazines. We have a treasure trove of paper bins to dig through. This kind of paper collectible is called "ephemera" which means something that was produced to be used, read, and then tossed out. Fortunately, some of this paper history has survived. Come take a look.....we've got enough to keep you busy for an hour or two!

Tuesday's Treats

New finds are arriving in the shop everyday!
We got a great pair of 40's era lamps with floral silkscreened shades. A wonderful shabby metal laundry hamper. Cool 1950's kitchen stool with "pop-out steps" in excellent condition. And a very sweet vintage oil painting of a pretty 'oriental' lady. The painting is covered with interesting Asian lettering and messages on the back of the canvas. Handpainted and from the 1950's. All items are available now @ The Rita Deco Nostalgia Shop. Stop by for a look...

Movie Star Rita

The movie "Extraordinary Measures" opens tonight. The film was shot here in Portland, Oregon in the summer of 2009. I met the production designer and a few of her assistants when they were shopping in the Hollywood District. They spent a fair amount of time in the shop and bought several bags of knick-knacks and artwork. The team was here on two different days and seemed quite pleased with the items they purchased. I was told that most of the items would end up in Harrison Ford's house and office (in the movie). I'm curious to see if I can spot any items that came from Rita Deco. I love when the "movie people" come to Portland. They are always interesting to talk with and they spend money....YAY!!!

Grey Gardens Recipe Box

I recently found something for my own collection. This is an early 1970's recipe box that is featured in the original "Grey Gardens" documentary and the recent HBO film. It's just a simple metal box with a retro-70's pattern...but it holds much more meaning to any fan of Grey Gardens. In the original documentary, this box is given to Big Edie at her birthday party (you might remember the scene because it's one of the few times she comes downstairs). Big Edie is presented this box by a guest at the dining table. This box also shows up in the HBO film starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore. Near the end of the film, Big Edie gives her wedding jewelry to Little Edie to wear at the premiere. She stores the jewelry in a recipe box exactly like this one. My recipe box is EXACTLY like these two examples....made by the same company and distributed in stores about 1972-76. I was thrilled when I found mine at a local estate sale. This simple recipe box is considered a "must have" by any GG collector and they do sell for a hefty price if you can find one. I'm just thrilled to have it!
As Little Edie would say:"It's absolutely terrific....honestly!"

New (old) Stuff

Recent arrivals at the Rita Deco Shop: a wonderful 1910-1920's table. Vintage luggage. Bird prints and decor items. "Occupied Japan" china & ceramics. Old historical collectibles. Royal Family souvenirs. Centennial and World's Fair memorabilia. Stop by for a look!

Flour Sack Towels & Pillows

A new batch of flour sack towels and printed pillows have arrived at the Rita Deco Shop. Several new designs in stock now. These are top-quality cotton that washes up beautifully.

The selection includes "retro travel" themed towels and pillows. Perfect for the beach house, cabin, or travel trailer. These make great gifts or a fabulous surprise for your vintage loving pals.

Just in from a recent estate.....old hankies, table runners, and handmade doilies. These are priced to sell and we have a large collection to choose from.

Laundromat Luxury Car

If you owned a $60,000 car, would you sit in a dirty laundromat weekly to do your laundry?
There's a strange scenario I see almost everyday. People arrive at the laundromat next door and do their weekly laundry.....in luxury cars.

These are not people whose home machines are broken. They are not washing comforters or large items. These people are REGULARS. They schlep in laundry baskets full of dirty togs for the weekly wash. Same cars and same people everytime. Mercedes, BMW's, Cadillac Escalades, Lexus sedans pull up in front and the dirty clothes spill out.

If you can spend major money on a car.....can't you buy a washer/dryer or live someplace with a decent laundry room setup? Hmmm......I'd rather have a $30,000 car and do my laundry at home or in a clean laundry room at my apartment building. But that's just me.

"Odds & Ends" for the New Year

I was doing some organizing in my photo files. I had these previously unseen photos hanging around and thought I'd post them. These are shots of the Rita Deco Nostalgia Shop....both inside and outside. A few photos give a wide angle of the space and what the store looks like when you visit. I just wanted to share before they get lost and forgotten....

Crying Towels

New 2010 arrivals at the shop include these vintage inspired "crying towels". Made from flour sack cloth and printed with retro printing and illustrations. The fisherman's towel make a great gift or surprise for the sport fishing fanatic in your life.....

There's also a cute bowler's crying towel. Bowling gifts and memorabilia is hard to find. This piece would be a great gift for anyone who spends time at the bowling alley or league member!
Towels are very well made and truly affordable at only $5.50 each. In stock now at the Rita Deco Nostalgia Shop.