Reviving the 90's, a Mid-Century Retrofit

    This is not your average wall-hanging tree. Those of us growing up in the 1990s remember them all too well. In fact, this one was no exception. Destined for the trash can, the heroine saved it from certain death. That is how I wished the story read. I did rescue it, but over the cries of family members who wanted no more junk brought into the house. 

    First of all, I removed approximately 15 gold boxes and bows. The bows are classy, so I saved them for another project. Then I removed all the red berries and pine cones. The pine cones were also gold. Then, I had to ask, what will I do to update this tree? Make it modern by throwing it back to the 1950s.

    Mid-century modern takes its name from the 1950s and 1960s. It was popular during the mid-20th century. It features bright colors and clean lines and totally disregards convention. In some ways, this interior design movement is analogous to modern art. But most importantly, my kitchen and dining room are replete with mid-century features. 

    After I removed all of the bows, pine cones, etc. I painted the gold basket. Gold was a popular '90s color, and it's popular today, but bright colors are more in line with a mid-century motif. So I painted it blue turquoise. Then I painted the pinecones in various shades of turquoise and purple. I left some gold edging around them to give them some shine. I then glued them back in and the bright red berries into the tree.

    I realized that every good tree has a garland. I made this from leftover wood beads and pompoms. I strung 10 wood beads on embroidery floss, added a pompom, then 10 wood beads, and a pompom again. I repeated the process until I had about 20 inches of garland. I still had pompoms, so I glued three of various sizes together to make little ornaments. I place the biggest one on the bottom, the middle size in the middle, and the smallest one on the top. 

    Realizing that something was still missing, I purchased two little white plastic deer from the Dollar General in my town. Most decorative deer of the mid-century era are brown with white spots, so I painted them with brown and white spots. I purchased battery-powered lights. The battery pack fits nicely in the basket. I bought the star for $1.

    The second part of my project was to create interior space for my tree. I placed it with like era decorations. I have a Santa Claus my grandmother gave me, and some bottle brush trees. However, I also made a 50's era cone tree. It's covered in yarn and accented by leftover pom poms. I placed them on my vintage '60s cabinet and reclaimed salon chair. 

    Still, I recognize that many do not like midcentury modern. For some, it creates too much nostalgia. For others, it represents an unreal society, full of utopian values, that doesn't really exist on this side of eternity. However, I find honesty in mid-century modern. There is no pretentiousness. It is unashamedly bold and non-conventional. With its clean, bold lines, what you see is what you get.

    For me, mid-century modern is a refreshing reminder to be true to yourself. I think about this in many ways, but one way to be true to yourself is to be a fearless herald of the gospel. Paul writes, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile" Romans 1:16. To be a proclaimer of Christ's love means that you must reconcile yourself to your own need for God's grace. That's the beauty. We don't have to pretend; we can honestly and openly proclaim that we aren't perfect. We sin, and we all need Jesus. 

    We're saved not by ourselves but by him. Thus, we're not ashamed of our past; instead, we rejoice in the gospel that makes us new. 

Blessings in Christ!

Jane Shoemaker