Go 60s Kitsch with Mad Men Decor

^{Photo of vintage vinyl and chrome ashtray chairs courtesy of The Ivy.}

Last weekend, while strolling along Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, I spied a pair of 60's vintage chrome and vinyl chairs with built-in ashtrays! Wow, how convenient for the exhausted smoker who's just too winded to lean over and flick those ashes into an aqua kidney-shaped ashtray. I tried to think how I could possibly blend these retro beauties with my old-world, shabby chic look. It just wasn't happening until I imagined Mad Men's Don Draper stopping by for bourbon and a few hundred cigs…tired from a long day of ad sales, chain smoking and cheating.

Poor Don…so tired and vulnerable, so newly single.

Suddenly, I am dressed in some kind of yellow taffeta number and my hair is in a coquettish pony tail. I am overly perky as I go to the door, but I remind myself to dial it down, pull out the husky voice. This is Don Draper, after all. He likes his gals confident, sexy and subservient all at the same time.

"Why hello, Don," I say as I lean against the door frame. "I've been expecting you." I deliver a coy, breathy laugh--which turns into a slight cough as I push through the nicotine cloud. "Won't you come in and enjoy another cigarette while sitting in this special smoker's chair?"

He doesn't answer. He's stoic that way. He swaggers over to the chair, gives it a once over glance, sits down. He does that infamous leg cross, loosens his tie. I am like a speed demon retro Martha Stewart and appear instantly at his side with his bourbon and a lighter.

"I like what you've done with the place," he says, as he lights up.

"I like YOU!" I blurt, and then everything fades to black and the store clerk informs me that they are closing for the evening. I wipe the drool from my chin and explain how I just love the 60's retro look.

The part about loving the 60's look is not a fantasy, but as with any vintage style, it takes commitment and a keen eye to bring it all together. To replicate the 60's voice, once you go down the Danish Modern road, there's no turning back, but the journey is clean and exact, at least. Sharp-edged lines, tight tweed fabrics on stiff, low couches--a rather cold look, I think. So cold, people had to warm themselves up with bourbon, martinis and cigarettes. It makes perfect sense! But then the sunburst clock appeared on the scene with its metallic flames all aglow and saved the day.

Of course you can find timeless treasures in used furniture stores however; the look has now become so popular that more and more chains are carrying 60's replica. Something tells me you won't find ashtrays built into anything modern. Who knew furniture could be so politically correct? Anyway, start with a couch that is squared, symmetric and cut low to the floor. If you can find a kidney shaped coffee table, that's divine, but if not, go for the square look trimmed in chrome for a modernized version.

Now have some fun with accessories, keeping in mind the historical era which has a vast array of people and events to pull from: JFK, Martin Luther King, Marilyn Monroe, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Flintstones and Taster's Choice freeze dried coffee all danced together in the 60's, as did Neil Armstrong- who was sort of popular for a little thing like walking on the moon. The list goes on and on and with a tiny bit of research and some eagle-eye memorabilia hunting, you can turn your home into Don Draper's love den.

I mean, if that's what your goal is.

"Don, darling…it's getting late. Would you mind cleaning out your ashtray chair, dear? I can smell the ash build-up from the future, darling--I really can! Oh sweetheart, I love you too!"