Might as well accept it

It began with a single set of dishes. Homer Laughlin's delicious Fiesta ware, to be more precise. And like Clifford the Big Red Dog, it just grew and grew and grew.

One day (when I became concerned my kitchen cabinets might collapse), it occurred to me I needed more storage space. But it might as well be cool. I decided to scout for a china hutch in keeping with the style of the era from whence many of my dishes came. When I stumbled across the beauty above at Charley's Flea Market in Springfield, I gasped. I assumed I couldn't afford it. I slowly turned the price tag over and nearly swooned with delight: $75, people!

A monster was born. My madness for all things midcentury modern today has no boundaries. Table cloths, bar ware, funky little wall hangings — I want it all.

My home is a humble ranch-style home built in 1959 and settled among other similar homes. But rather than renovate, I've chosen to retrovate. Instead of knocking down walls and installing granite countertops, I want to restore this house to its original ideal and deck it in midcentury splendor. My dream finds include an atomic-era George Nelson-designed Herman Miller starburst clock, a Heywood Wakefield dining set, sleek living room furniture and accessories of every stripe.

But let's be real: I'm a writer. This ain't going to happen overnight on my budget. The only path I have for success runs through thrift shops, flea markets, estate sales and the like. We're talking cheap treasure.

Fortunately, my job as a freelancer takes me to some pretty out-of-the-way places in the Ozarks. My plan is to document my journey, post pics of my finds, research my treasures and share them with you. Along the way, I hope you'll offer tips on midcentury design and alert me to cool stuff you find.

Time to get moving.