Create a 100% Authentic 1960 Vintage Tiki Decor Home and Backyard

Trader Vics Postcard
Trader Vics Postcard

In July 1960, Los Angeles’ World’s Fair Market (not to be confused with today’s World Market) advertised a complete luau themed tiki set.  “The World’s Fair has created a Hawaiian atmosphere complete with all the tropical settings of the South Seas,” said the ad, listing twelve items that you could place in your own backyard and indoors to give your house an instant Polynesian feeling.

By 1960, the tiki craze of the late 1950s was at its absolute peak.  Here are ten of those twelve items re-created as close to 100% as possible from current sources.  To abbreviate your search, you can also check out Jerome Coudrier’s TikiMaster.com.  Based in Kailua, Hawaii, Tiki Master has an impressive range of all products tiki-related.

World’s Fair Import Market, Garden Grove CA

Tiki Torches

Tahitian Torch 1960

 

Barbados Tiki Brand 4-Pack Torch

The Tiki Torch is the natural place to start–and the easiest.  Tiki Brand Torches are found everywhere during summer months.  Tiki no longer offers the exact model that they sold in 1960, but they do have an even better-looking one–the Barbados Bamboo Torch 4-Pack–available on their site.

Back-Then Cost:  $0.99/each

Current Cost:  $4.00/each

Tiki Idol Head

Vintage Tahitian Idols

 

Emsco Resin Tiki Head

Tiki heads, too, are prevalent.  Most today are cast in resin and look far more like real stone than the old ones.  You’ll find this one, Easter Island Granite Resin Head Statue, at Home Depot.

For far more stylish tiki heads, go to TikiMaster.com’s Outdoor section.

Back-Then Cost:  $10/each

Current Cost:  $60/each for the Home Depot tiki head.  Tiki Master heads begin at $119.

Samoa Basket Chair and Beaded Bamboo Curtains

Vintage Samoa Basket Chair and Beaded Bamboo Curtains

 

Papa San Chair Rattan

That’s right; you’ve already figured this one out.  What’s called a Samoa Basket Chair is today called a papa-san chair.  Don’t go for the usual cushioned papa san chair (though they are comfortable!).  Go for the more authentic vintage-style Braided Rattan Papasam Chair from Wayfair.

Back-Then Cost:  $3/each

Current Cost:  $205/each

Oriental Party Lites

Vintage Oriental Patio Lights

 

Asian Paper Party String Lights

Check out the paper lantern string light sets from Redwood City, CA’s own Asian Import Store for a low-cost alternative!

Back-Then Cost:  $6/each

Current Cost:  $10-$15/each

Matchstick Floor Screens

Vintage Matchstick Floor Screens

 

Matchstick Divider from Oriental Furniture

Matchstick is a certain type of larger bamboo that emphasizes the bamboo look.  Substitute with this 5½ ft. Tall Bamboo Matchstick Woven Room Divider from Oriental Furniture

Back-Then Cost:  $10/each

Current Cost:  $145/each

Louvered Screens

Vintage Louvered Shutters

 

homeBASICS Plantation Faux Wood Shutter

The retail world abounds with natural and faux wood louvered shutters.  For the cheap ones, try Home Depot’s homeBASICS Plantation Faux Wood Oak Interior Shutters.

Back-Then Cost:  $1.59 for a 29″ high by 9″ wide shutter.

Current Cost:  $78 for a 36″ high by 31″ wide shutter

Bamboo Tumblers

Vintage Bamboo Tumblers

 

Bamboo Tumblers from TheVintageRedHeadCo – Etsy

Etsy is your best bet to find stylish bamboo tumblers.

Back-Then Cost:  $0.50/each

Current Cost:  $18 and upward/each

Bamboo Tiki Hut

Vintage Bamboo Tiki Hut

Check out Forever Bamboo for everything bamboo related.

Back-Then Cost:  $2 per pole for 2″ diameter by 12′ long bamboo poles

Current Cost:  $9 per pole for 2″ diameter by 10′ long bamboo poles

Hanging Rattan Monkeys

Vintage Hanging Rattan Monkeys

Apparently, rattan monkeys were a big deal in mid-century U.S. culture.  No more.  Since you will not find any rattan monkey knock-offs today, you’ll need to search Etsy for actual vintage rattan monkeys.

Back-Then Cost:  $1/each

Current Cost:  $40 to $400/each

By Lee Wallender

Deception, influence, fakes, illusions, themed environments, simulations, secret places, secret infrastructure, imagined places, dreamscapes, movie sets and props, evasions, camouflage, studio backlots, miniatures.

Leave a comment

Exit mobile version