The first time we saw the type of classic design work displayed on Grain Edit was in a past life. We were getting up there in years and could only talk about walking five miles to school in the snow and how these new patterns frightened us. This time around we’ve got a different point of view. Now we’re grateful that someone has created a site to showcase the classic design work from the 1950’s thru the 1970’s. The Oakland based Grain Edit graphic design tribute doesn’t just trumpet the creations of yesteryear, it also focuses on the work of contemporary designers who have taken inspiration from that era. Aside from displaying fine examples of vintage creations the site contains original articles and houses interviews, designer libraries, as well as images from rare design annuals and vintage kids books from their own bookshelves, amongst other things. Yes, Grain Edit is a truly wondrous playground for those interested in immersing themselves in a vintage aesthetic, but don’t take our word for it, check it out for yourself.

With Polaroid film set to go the way of the dodo sometime in 2009, it's only a matter of time before the many shutterbugs who champion the photo format run out of their remaining film stock. Luckily, for fans of the non-digital instant image some of the best scene snappers have pooled some of their favorite images together so that the art form of Polaroid photography might live on forever. For The Love of Light: A Tribute To The Art of Polaroid gathers the work of twenty-five photographers from ten countries, on five continents in one breathtaking volume of photos produced with the their precious Polaroids. The book will be available in July, and hopefully will be such a roaring success that it will lead a world wide Polaroid revival and force the parent company to reconsider its stance on phasing out their film. C’mon photo fans…band together to save an endangered species before it's too late.

When Ethan Allen just isn’t quite the Americana vibe you’re looking for, the aptly named American Furnishings can get you squared away. Their rustic, industrial (and pre-industrial) craftsmanship is evident in pieces like a cement table stamped “Cincinnati Lithograph Co.” or a steel bar cabinet that, 60 years ago, may have been part of the assembly line at General Motors. Owners Dennis and Denise Blankemeyer proudly declare their furniture to be “Made in Middle America,” with ten workshops set up all over Ohio (the main store is located in Columbus). So, if you’re tired of Gothic Cabinet ripping you off for a piece of knotty pine in the shape of an armoire, sink some money into genuine American craftsmanship. It’s what Grandpa would have wanted.

We know you're an NES superstar. You can recite the Contra cheat codes without flinching, you've conquered King Koopa thousands of times; heck you've even punched out Mike Tyson in under a minute, making him look positively Spinks-esque. You may not be a world-class athlete, but you let your thumbs do the talking and we think it's about time you receive the recognition you deserve. Take heed, Masters of Metroid and Lords of the Legend of Zelda, your endless hours mastering your craft will not go unrecognized. Thanks to the Console Wars I pin from Supermandolini, we dub thee Commander of the Controller. While you may not deserve a gold medal for your power pad prowess, that doesn't mean you can't wear your gaming success on your lapel... or your sleeve...or wherever you choose to put this Nintendo controller pin commemorating all of your epic battles in Marioland.

Essentially the past silhouetted atop the present, Vintage Shelf by Jaren Goh welcomes traditional into your modern home. It’s a big case of contemporary with a classic cutout front; the effect, a bookcase within a bookcase. Created especially for Munkii, this unique piece is certain to sate both sides of the vintage versus contempo debate. Especially easy on the eye is Shelf’s white exterior opposite the dark of its four-shelf interior – a color scheme sure to complement any space. While the straight up and down cut of its frame makes this case a cinch to fit inside your place. And you’ll want to. Because here is where you can shelve your worn pasts and shiny presents side by side — pretty much everything will look at home inside this timeless design.

Via Freshome

If you read this blog a lot, you probably know that we are big fans of great t-shirts. I would wear a t-shirt every day if left to my own devices–I like to think of them as comfortable little canvases on which to display, well, anything really. I still have some great t’s from the 80’s, and when I get bored while visiting my parents, I have been known to rifle through my Dad’s collection. Today, Lisa Kidner and Sam Knee took me on a trip down nostalgia road with their Vintage T-Shirts book. The two authors focus on quite possibly the best two t-shirt decades — the 70’s and 80’s — and revisit over 500 classic t-shirts. Genres include those awesome 80’s skateboarding and surfing t’s, the iron-on fad, pop culture t’s, and of course the authors give us a healthy dose of band shirts. This book would make a perfect gift for that t-shirt collector or fashion/pop culture junkie in your life. There is also a great collector’s directory at the end of the book that is a great resource in and of itself.

As many of you can tell I am a sucker for vintage clothing, so I feel it is my duty to tell you about one of the premier vintage clothing stores in the country. What Goes Around Comes Around was started in Soho in 1993 by two buddies who had a passion for vintage t-shirts. 14 years later the duo houses a 100,000 piece collection of vintage clothing in addition to a self-titled clothing line they launched last year. The shop features countless vintage leather jackets, old levi’s and 80’s concert tee’s. In addition to the storefront, WGACA opened a 7,000 square-foot Archive, which to date is the largest collection of vintage clothing available. The Archive is appointment only and is a one-stop shop for celebrities, designers, and stylists. For those of you who are interested in getting your hands on the new WGACA label you can check out stores like Bloomingdale’s, Intermix and Bergdorf Goodman to name a few. If you don’t want vintage inspired clothing, but actually vintage; then click over to WGACA’s website and pick yourself up a $300 Def Leppard Tee or a $950 original pair of Levi’s.

It takes a lot for a t-shirt line to really impress me, but when I came across LA based Materialust, my hand immediately reached for my wallet. Materialust is really a globe trotting brand and I mean it in every sense. Each design is based on a different place across the globe: Paris and two versions of Tijuana shown above. Now don’t jump on me just yet, what makes this t-shirt line stand out from the rest is the great feel and fit of the tee itself. When I initially picked up the shirt I had to check the sign on the door and make sure I didn’t accidentally walk into a thrift store. Apparently, I am not the only one catching wind of this new brand because the line is available at a handful of top notch boutiques. We’ve seen many great t-shirt lines come and go, but this one looks like they are here to stay.

Ten years ago I didn’t think anyone did vintage clothing better then my friends Mr. Abercrombie and Mr. Fitch, but since then times have really changed and Ever clothing is a perfect example. Started by Jason Bleick, who is an OC native and former design VP for Quiksilver, Jason really knows his way around the clothing industry. The major appeal and selling point in Ever is the detail and quality of every garment they make. For example, the popular sweatshirt they make comes thermal lined, grinded out edges, a distressed patch and amazing riri zipper. Each garment comes with a pouch that contains ear plugs, which is Bleick’s way of showing the influences of his travels in his clothing line. Currently offering a complete line for fall containing numerous buttery-soft vintage tee’s, hoodies, and pants, Ever is definitely a line I am going to keep an eye on. Check out their site to find a retailer near you!

Quentin, the designer behind Monsieur T. has added some nice Piece Unique t-shirts, hoodies, and zip-ups to his often-changing line. He got wild with bleach stains, appliques, random of vintage clothing, and his sewing machine. The results are pretty fly and sure to be one of a kind, which I love.