Colors and patterns popular during the sixties or “mod generation” are popping up everywhere… on nursery accessories, textiles, kitchen-wares, clothing and even office and school supplies according to kitschy collector C. Dianne Zweig. Zweig, author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and the soon to be released Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes.

Zweig tracks what is selling in department stores and home-kitchen outlets because these trends often spike an interest in buyers who are searching for “ the originals”. For example, right now bright greens, pinks, yellows and oranges are considered “nifty” colors and collectibles found in these colors with “groovy” patterns are becoming important. Zweig encourages antique dealers to pull out anything from the 60s that they may have packed away over the years and have some fun in re-living what Austin Powers called “Shagadelic” style baby!

While Zweig has noted that in the past, 60s collectibles moved more slowly in brick and mortar shops than those of earlier periods, she thinks “hip collectibles” are gaining momentum. The children of baby boomers are interested in contemporary interpretations of retro looks from not only the sixties but also the seventies. The twenty and thirty something group are buying baby announcements, home accessories, dresses, shoes, pocketbooks, jewelry, tablecloths and so much more with patterns and designs that are clearly inspired from the Hippie generation . They are also mixing vintage styles with newer looks.

In fact, Zweig, who owns “Kitsch-n-Stuff” a funky kitchen collectibles etc. shop that is part of The Plantsville General Store Antique Center in Plantsville CT, has found numerous on-line businesses with “shaggy sixties” websites catering to young moms who adore palettes of pink, brown and lime green as well as cutesy patterns of stripes, polka dots and swirling designs.

While young buyers are getting a kick out of ordering stationary, apparel and home related items in “psychedelic “ designs, baby boomer (who actually lived through the sixties) are still far more likely to want to acquire the real thing at tag sales, shops and flea markets. This is not to say that collecting “retro” is a pastime for only the “older generation”, but let’s face it…baby boomers were there…..and can appreciate finding genuine “flower power” beverage glasses at a thrift shop.

So what would you put in a “hip” home? For starters…………think ORANGE- SUNFLOWER YELLOW-BROWN-PINK-GREEN or BLACK & WHITE. Some of these colors could stop traffic says Zweig who reminds baby boomers that “day glow” colors were “in” during the “hip” years. Palettes of the 60s were bright, bold, exciting and sometimes over the top. There are no soft pastels here…and certainly nothing “wishy washy” about the sixties. Patterns were often of optical illusions (Op Art), geometrics, abstracts and of course vibrant flowers such as the signature daisy designs of British designer Mary Quant.

“Retro” is no longer is a term limited to talking about the rock and roll years of the 50s; “retro” is anything “cool” from “the past” says Zweig. Zweig who has gained the nickname “The Kitschy Collector” points out that the past can be the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and yes the 80s. Time is creeping by fast and dealers are catching on to the fact that 60s and 70s collectibles are becoming popular to younger collectors.

C. Dianne Zweig is a kitschy kitchen collector and the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s (Collectorbooks.com). Her second book, Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes also by Collectorbooks.com. will be released in Fall 08. Her collectibles can be found in her shop “Kitsch-n-Stuff ” which is part of the Multi-Dealer Antique emporium called The Plantsville General Store Antique Center h http://www.pgsantiques.com in Plantsville, CT. For further information or comments write to her at Dianne@CDianneZweig.com

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