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10 Ways to Add Lucite To Your Home Decor April 18 2018

Lucite is solid transparent plastic, just like Plexiglas, used to make furniture. It can have this very eccentric vibe depending on what you pair it with but also look very lux and classy in the right environment. Regardless of how you implement this fun look, it is totally on-trend.  How to add Lucite to your home decor: 1. Let’s start with a vintage Lucite dining chair set Pair these with a gorgeous wooden or metal table, and you’ve got yourself a unique dining set. Add fluffy seat pillows to add some soft texture for contrast. 2. Think Versatile  Instead of a traditional...


A Beginner's Mini Guide to Buying Vintage April 13 2018

Adding vintage pieces to your home decor can be a great way to draw the eye and accent your modern furniture designs. Classic furniture pieces reflect elegance, personal style, and a sense of history, especially when juxtaposed tastefully with contemporary pieces. When it comes to vintage furniture in Long Beach, Urban Americana is the place to start, whether shopping in person or buying antiques online. Overall, there is much to learn about the world of antiques, but this simple guide will get you started if you are itching to go on your first antiquing spree.   Credenzas and Dressers Credenzas...


Introducing 2018 Interior Design Trends January 23 2018

In the ever-evolving world of interior design, updating your home to incorporate the latest trends is an excellent way to keep your living environment fresh and new. To get you ready for 2018, our design team at Urban Americana has put together a guide to the most prominent interior design trends that will be coming your way in the next year. Geometric Patterns Add some geometric flair to your home in the form of a geometric-patterned rug, or go for a small dose with a throw pillow. Because there are countless varieties of geometric patterns, the possibilities are endless!  ...


A Look At 6 Interior Design Trends for 2018 January 09 2018

The most wonderful thing about vintage styles and decor is that they only become more obscure. There are creative ways to implement classic stylings into your home while staying on trend with the changing home decor climate. The coming year brings hints of retro color pairings and vintage artistry. Here are six home decor trends that are absolutely achievable with a little help from your friends at Urban Americana. Green and Gold With Pantone’s color of the year being green and predictions of an iridescent wave hitting homes across the country, we are excited to see the green and gold...


How to Buy Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture September 01 2017

Mid-century modern furniture is back in vogue and a number of replicas have popped up on the market. In order to create a true mid-century modern look, you need to study the unique characteristics that have made this genre of furniture so popular. Here are a few of the highlights to look for when buying mid-century furniture.  Mid-Century Colors and Patterns Mid-century modern furniture stores in Long Beach are full of chairs and other furniture that exemplify the unique color combinations typical of the period. Designers often combine bright primary colors with sharp body lines to create a more eccentric look. The...


What is Vintage and Mid Century Furniture? June 13 2017

Vintage furniture, especially what is considered Mid Century Modern, is a hot trend in home decor and interior design. But what qualifies a piece to be vintage?  It is a term that is loosely used to describe a previously owned piece of furniture; however for a piece to be considered “VINTAGE”  it must be between 30 to 100 years old.  Furniture that is at least 100 years old is classified as “ANTIQUE”.   Any piece that is circa 1990's to present is just simply used furniture.  We love this Mid Century Vintage Vignette by Emily Henderson.  What is Vintage Mid-Century...


Five Reasons to Buy Vintage Home Decor June 06 2017

Vintage home decor is making a comeback, and some pieces actually have hidden value, making them a solid investment if you ever decide to redecorate. Here are the top five reasons why investing in vintage home decor is worth the money! 1. Vintage Furniture is Classic and Timeless The elegant style of mid-century furniture continues to make great statement pieces in any room. People all over the world seek inspiration from these styles today. When you pick up a classic piece from antique stores in Long Beach, CA, you know it will continue to live on as an icon.     2. Vintage Furniture is One...


Focus on French Style May 18 2017

There are many furniture styles under the “French” moniker. The antique furniture styles are usually associated with the reigning monarch of that time period. These styles include:  LOUIS XIII (1610-1643) cartouches, gold gilding, nail head accents; LOUIS XIV (1643-1716) think Versailles, very Baroque and symmetrical using a variety of wood & marquetry; REGENCE (Regency) (1715-1723) change from Baroque to Rococo; LOUIS XV (1723-1774) Rococo, very artistic and curvy, lighter color palette, sculptures, natural elements such as shells, flowers, ornate vases, cabriole legs & metal  accents; LOUIS XVI (1774-1792) elegant and understated, straight lines with fluted legs, Neo-classical style with back...


The Elements of Mid-Century Modern Design April 27 2017

Elements of Mid Century Modern Design Mid-century modern design is an era of home design typified by the late 1950s and early 1960s. It was the time following World War II when many families were finally recovering from the shaky economy of the generation before. It was also an era during which many homeowners wanted to reconnect with nature, adding large, sweeping windows throughout their homes and using natural materials in modern ways to bring both rustic and futuristic looks together.  Unusual Shapes as Art During the mid-century modern era, it became common for designers to highlight asymmetrical shapes and more...


Brown Jordan - The Innovator of Outdoor Living and Leisure April 09 2017

Brown Jordan For 70 years Brown Jordan has been bringing style and innovate design to outdoor living. Naturally, the first company to design furniture for outdoor use was founded in sunny Southern California.  Robert Brown and Hubert Jordan established Brown Jordan in Pasadena, Ca during the heart of the Mid Century Modern movement in 1945. The idea was to provide furniture that could be used outdoors, year round, a concept that was unheard. Brown Jordan introduced the Kantan Lounge Chair in 1956 The mild weather of Los Angeles helped to inspiring designers and architects like Charles Eames, Richard Neutra, Edward Durell Stone...


Five Remarkable Furniture Designers From the 1900s March 13 2017

5 Iconic Furniture Designers The 1900s were a time of expansive creativity and unparalleled opportunity for furniture designers around the world. That's why we have compiled this list of five of the most legendary furniture designers who have forever changed the course of interior decor.  Hans Wegner Hans J. Wegner was a Danish designer who had a profound impact on the look and feel of chairs. Beginning in the 1940s and extending across the next several decades, Wegner's simple, stylish influence can still be found throughout many modern furniture pieces. Greta Grossman Greta Grossman began her journey in Sweden during the 1930s,...


Restoration with Brett Waterman March 11 2017

We are in the business of selling furniture and goods with a past here at Urban Americana.  It is our passion. There is something romantic about honoring the history that comes with buying and collecting antique and vintage items.  Our goal is to keep the history of each piece alive.  That is exactly what Brett Waterman does with the homes he restores.  Brett is a preservationist specializing in restoring historical homes by peeling back decades of questionable design decisions and restoring living spaces to their original glory. We were lucky to have Brett Waterman stop by our store recently with...


Hans Wegner: The Iconic Designer February 02 2017

HANS WAGNER The name Hans Wegner has become an important chapter of Danish design and history. Wegner introduced his first furniture designs in the early 1940s, focusing especially on chairs. His work featured natural woods and simple, neutral colors. Over the next few decades, Wegner won several design awards from around the world for his work. Today, his work continues to appear in classic room designs everywhere. After his death in 2007 at the age of 92, a growing number of designers have come to recognize his vintage pieces as valuable and important parts of the Danish aesthetic.  Due to...


2017 Color of the Year January 19 2017

COLOR TREND FOR 2017 GREENERY! As they have done since 2000, Pantone unveiled their choice for the color of the year and for 2017 the winner is...GREENERY!  Here is what they have to say about Greenery:   We like their choice for 2017.  It has a feeling of revival and renewal.  Since our obsession is Mid-Century Modern, Antiques and Up-Cycled findings, we like the feeling of revitalizing!  That is what greenery brings into your living space, a feeling of revival!  Here are some vintage items we found on our online store to bring a little "Greenery" to your living space.   Our...


Online Store Goes Live! September 16 2014

We’re excited to be days away from the launch of our online store. We have added some unique items to our store to get things started. We will continue to add new products daily and hope you will check back often. Our 16,000 sq ft warehouse boasts a vast array of unique items, which we will be happy to ship to your location. Let us know if there is a specific item you are looking for and we will do our best to source that for you.