Anniversary of Woodstock inspires summer fashion, decor
The famous Woodstock music festival that took place in upstate New York in 1969 has long held an exalted place in music and pop culture history. So its 50th anniversary this summer has brought it to even further commercial prominence.
Peace signs, colorful furniture and decor, and tie-dyed T-shirts are all part of the scene this summer. Commemorative concerts by artists who were there - the Who, Santana and Jefferson Airplane's new version of themselves, "Jefferson Starship," and others - are also plentiful.
A fun place to display your hippie leanings is outdoors - on your deck, patio or porch. These are generally fun, informal spaces where wild, funky decor works.
Northwest Metalcraft at 413 S. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights has a multitude of Woodstock-style items for your outdoor spaces, said owner Dan Mayer. For instance, it sells unique, rustic, brightly painted metal chairs and tables that look great, particularly on a covered porch that is somewhat sheltered from the elements (because it will rust and the paint is part of the allure).
The furniture, as well as metal coolers in the shape of hippie minibuses, and planters and animal sculptures for the garden, is all made overseas using old oil drums.
Mayer said Northwest Metalcraft also offers hammocks and rope hanging chairs, made of either cotton rope alone or cotton rope enhanced with quilting. The hammocks must be hung in a space of at least 16 feet and come with screws to secure them to mature trees or porch posts.
A plethora of different wood-burning firepits are also available to mimic Woodstock's campfires.
"These are huge sellers. We even have heavy, copper ones that hold up better than the thin steel ones," Mayer said. "We even offer firepits on which you can grill a burger or cook a pizza."
Lurvey's Garden Center at 2550 E. Dempster St., Des Plaines, can also offer Woodstock-style decor for your outdoor living spaces.
For instance, they offer a line of beautiful "yellow leaf hammocks," woven by women in rural Thailand. Each hammock "creates sustainable weaving jobs and empowers Thai families to break the cycle of extreme poverty for good," according to the label.
They are also fade-proof, weather-safe and very soft, said Tom Partipilo, outdoor living and home decor coordinator.
Homeowners hearkening back to earlier days or even their "inner hippie" while decorating outdoor spaces can also find macrame table runners and plant hangers at Lurvey's. There are also hand-woven throw rugs, a striking floor-to-ceiling decorative curtain made of bamboo loops, and large accent lights with shades made from tobacco leaves that are brightly colored using natural dyes and then decoupaged.
Lurvey's even offers a line of unique floor lamps decorated with hand-woven natural vines and brightly colored psychedelic ceramic frogs as tall as 2½ feet for placement in a garden or on a porch, patio or deck.
Many of these items, however, should be stored indoors during the winter, Partipilo cautioned.
Finally, Lurvey's, too, offers a line of wood-burning fire pits and ceramic "chimeneas" which can add to the Vietnam War-era atmosphere in your yard while you are playing 1960s rock music in the background.
Long live Woodstock!