#Collectors #MidCentury #Décor #Eclectic #Elephant #WorthPoint
As mid-century décor seems to continue its rise in popularity, some designs have become increasingly familiar: sleek wood and leather chairs; wooden credenzas with nimble, unobtrusive legs; geometric shapes decorated with just enough metal to give your space a slightly industrial glint. But there’s so much more to mid-century décor than all of the replica pieces you might see at West Elm or Target. To get a taste of the real deal and enjoy some of the more colorful examples of mid-century design, look no further than VicVanDot.
Don’t get me wrong: the VicVanDot booth (located in the Eclectic Elephant Antique Mall in Cheyenne, Wyoming) certainly has all the design elements you’d expect in a shop specializing in mid-century finds. But, it also has an amazing share of unexpected treasures from that same era—for instance, a golden chalkware lamp with a seriously cherubic presence. As Dorothy Guerra, the owner of VicVanDot explains, her relationship with the lamp began when a stranger walked into her booth and asked if she was interested in buying a very ugly lamp. Undeterred by this less-than-flattering description, Dorothy decided to give the lamp a look, and she was immediately glad to have taken a chance on this incredible piece.
That’s not the only unexpected treasure you’ll find at VicVanDot. One of my personal favorites was a piece of gravel art made from a DIY kit several decades ago. Although I’ve heard of sand art and hair art, gravel art is a completely different phenomenon you must see to believe.
And there’s still more, from cookie jars and a commemorative Nixon–Agnew campaign mug to a vintage record player in pristine condition. Watch the full episode of Collectors Like You to get a tour of Dorothy’s delightful booth of mid-century finds, and if this video puts you in the mood to shop, you can visit VicVanDot online or in person at the Eclectic Elephant in Cheyenne. While you’re in town, check out the other booths at the Eclectic Elephant for a jaw-dropping inventory of vintage clothing, jewelry, décor, and even Breyer horses. This gem of an antique mall does not disappoint, so take your next thrifting road trip to Cheyenne and pay Eclectic Elephant a visit!
In addition to her role as HIP’s curator of photography, Allison Radomski is a writer and filmmaker. She spends her days hunting for analog cameras, scoring her own movies in her laundry closet, and building her collections of Polaroids and handkerchiefs. She has degrees in cinema & media studies and religious studies from the University of Chicago.
WorthPoint—Discover. Value. Preserve.
