Photos by Brian Goddard

Embellish your environs with decor fit for the Mad Men.

“Terminology-wise, Mid-Century Modern is way better than ‘retro.’ Retro gives off that cheap-cat-clock, Betty Boop-cookie-jar vibe.”

We can see Ryan Durkin’s point, especially standing in the middle of Modern Manor, his 4,000-square-foot store in central Phoenix. Much of the inventory here pre-dates 1970, and none of it is cheap – in design or price (usually a four-digit figure). But fans of Mid-Century Modern furniture – with its sleek lines and kaleidoscope of colors and textures wrought in wood and fiberglass – flock here for rarer, higher-dollar items like original Eames leather loungers and Z chairs by Paul Jensen. Modern Manor’s three biggest sellers, Durkin says, are pairs of chairs, pairs of nightstands, and credenzas. The long, low drawer-chests used to be a staple of offices in the ’50s, but “nowadays, people put flat-screen TVs on them. They’re perfectly sized for that, and sturdy too,” Durkin says. “They sell like hotcakes.”

Directly next door to Modern Manor, Phoenix Metro Retro (pictured above) also peddles numerous period pieces, but some of their greatest hits are on the wall – vintage-looking decor by local artists. Jay Hall’s retro screen prints ($80-$150) capture a pseudo-1960s-X-ray-specs-advertisement-meets-James-Bond-mod-bar aesthetic, and the minimalist abstract paintings of Daniel Shepherd ($175-$600) incorporate bold, rich colors that blend well with Mid-Century Modern’s organic palette of lemon, persimmon and avocado. “They’re very modern, and it works,” says PMR co-owner Heidi Abrahamson. “The last large painting we had [by Shepherd] blew out of here in three days.”

Of course, a room wouldn’t be fully “retro” without whimsical lighting; thankfully, Retro Ranch carries all manner of illuminated grooviness, from a glass grape chandelier ($150) to a three-tier chandelier composed of clusters of backlit blue and white plastic circles ($140). A 1970s globe pendant lamp by Carlo Nason for Mazzega ($550) is the height of tasteful kitsch.

1950s chairThis fiberglass chair, made circa 1950 by Swedish designer Greta Magnusson Grossman, sports modular, hieroglyphic-like designs ($650). Phoenix Metro Retro 708 W. Hazelwood St., Phoenix 602-279-0702, phoenixmetroretro.com

Hans Wegner Papa Bear Chair knockoffOriginal bear chairs can easily cost thousands. Knockoffs like this are less expensive but also rare ($1,450). Modern Manor 716 W. Hazelwood St., Phoenix 602-509-7709, modernmanorstore.com

Orange leather loungersThese early 1970s chaise loungers feature button-tufted tangerine leather and chrome-plated steel ($4,800 each). Red Modern Furniture 201 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix 602-256-9620, redmodernfurniture.com

1970s Sonneman chandelier This folded chrome chandelier by Sonneman has three mirrored tiers and is in pristine condition ($3,200). Red Modern Furniture 201 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix 602-256-9620, redmodernfurniture.com

Mr. Mac lampBoasting an inner lamp shade in the base, this bulbous orange beacon by artist Ira “Mr. Mac” McNear is polka-dotted with circles cut into the ceramic ($225). Retro Ranch 4303 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix 602-297-1971, retroranch.net

Vintage lampThis 1960s lamp features a potted, fired and glazed ceramic base offset with butterscotch-colored woods and a cream-hued shade ($149). Retro Ranch 4303 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix 602-297-1971, retroranch.net