The Saga of Tiki Lee's Home Tiki Room

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H harro Member Australia Joined: Sep 05, 2005 Posts: 686	H harro Posted posted on Wed, Aug 8, 2007 6:07 AM wow... i'm speechless! just spent half an hour ogling at your room - brilliant work. you have an awesome collection and now the perfect place to show it all off. very inspiring! can you explain a bit more about the star ceiling? cheers.
M mzoltarp Member Bakersfield, California Joined: Apr 28, 2006 Posts: 163	M mzoltarp Posted posted on Wed, Aug 8, 2007 6:32 AM I definitely need a display case! The room is awesome from any angle!
TL Tiki Lee's Tiki Socialite Las Vegas Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 798	TL Tiki Lee's Posted posted on Sat, Aug 11, 2007 1:22 AM T'anks Again, folks! Rattiki- don't ever let anyone get on yer case for collecting that stuff. You can never have enough Vintage Vegas ashtrays! Urbantiki- Mahaloz for noticing the photography! I take a while setting up the shots and bracketing the exposures until I get just the right light balance. This is my only way of inviting most my T.C. Ohana into my home to see it, so I want it to look it's best! BigBro- Super-Mahaloz plenny for your kind words; they mean alot to me. You have no idea how much I worry that people think I'm just cashing in on the Tiki craze by being a dealer. I AM a collector first. Becoming a dealer happened as a neccessity after 9/11. After that attack, the T.V. show I was on got cancelled, and the show on the strip that I was in closed down. There was NOTHIN' available job-wise, so I had to start selling off my personal collection of stuff to pay the bills. After I finally found a job as a singing Gondolier at the Venetian 6 months later, most of my stuff was gone, but I kept my space at the Antique Mall because I got hooked on Garage Sales and Auctions, and was finding all kinds of great stuff that I'd never seen before. You are so right when you say that the best stuff sticks! Also, I HAVE been to several Hollywood prop houses back in the early 90's when I was "in the biz", and I too have had quite a few temptation-filled thoughts of cashing in on the production insurance! Those places get me all filled with frustrated joyous angst. Have you ever been to the one underground at Warner's? It's SO spooky, but SO awesome! As for the signiture on the velvet painting, it looks like it says "Ben Alano" but I can't be sure. The date is clear- 1960. Here's a photo of it. Anyone ever hear of this guy? Mahaloz Again for lookin'!
B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Sat, Aug 11, 2007 7:25 AM Wow, Lee, that's quite a story, your work woes after 9/11...a singing Gondoliere Tiki collector! Only in America! :) I heard the name Ben Alano before...maybe in that black velvet documentary? But I don't know anything, black velvets are not my expertise, somebody out there should write The Book of Black Velvet, the Leeteg one only touched on the subject.
CA crazy al Tiki Socialite CA Joined: Jun 25, 2002 Posts: 1876	CA crazy al Posted posted on Sat, Aug 11, 2007 9:27 AM F_ck! Nice.................
G GROG Grand Member (1 year) Tujunga Joined: Jun 21, 2006 Posts: 7548	G GROG Posted posted on Sat, Aug 11, 2007 9:38 AM Gorgeous place. Good job----GROG like.
T Tikinomad Member Outerspace Joined: Jul 20, 2005 Posts: 368	T Tikinomad Posted posted on Sat, Aug 11, 2007 2:07 PM .........you've really carved out your own slice of tiki paradise........sick collection bro! Mahalo for sharing pic's........
TT ted tiki Tiki Socialite minneapolis Joined: Oct 11, 2004 Posts: 199	TT ted tiki Posted posted on Sat, Aug 11, 2007 7:19 PM Maybe my favorite home room I have seen on here. 100% Awesome!! Hey Lee! Would you mind letting me know where you found the picture frames (for your album covers) you showed on page 3? I think they are pretty neat. Thanks..
TL Tiki Lee's Tiki Socialite Las Vegas Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 798	TL Tiki Lee's Posted posted on Mon, Aug 13, 2007 11:57 PM No Problemo Ted! They are MonkeyMan's carved wood album frames. Just do a search for 'em and they should pop right up. Mahaloz again, everybody, for all da props!
TT ted tiki Tiki Socialite minneapolis Joined: Oct 11, 2004 Posts: 199	TT ted tiki Posted posted on Tue, Aug 14, 2007 3:21 PM On 2007-08-13 23:57, Tiki Lee's wrote: No Problemo Ted! They are MonkeyMan's carved wood album frames. Just do a search for 'em and they should pop right up. Mahaloz again, everybody, for all da props! Thanks Lee! It took me about 30 seconds to find what I needed.
D danlovestikis Grand Member (8 years) Joined: Jun 17, 2002 Posts: 9216	D danlovestikis Posted posted on Wed, Aug 22, 2007 7:41 PM Wow Lee, how sad for us that we were in Las Vegas and you were in California. We just got home tonight. We found a tiny plate and cup, a metal tiki and a record album at your two tiki rooms. We had a blast visiting them to shop. I hope that next trip we can visit your outstanding tiki room at home too. It was great seeing you at Tiki Oasis and meeting your wife, hugs, Wendy
TL Tiki Lee's Tiki Socialite Las Vegas Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 798	TL Tiki Lee's Posted posted on Fri, May 16, 2008 1:49 AM Well, it's been quite a while since my last photo update, and I've added quite a bit to the room. However, in true tikiphile fashion, "It still ain't enough!!!" I got my last shelf carved and installed & put up the last of my "shorty" mugs up there, but had no space left-over to put the Salt 'n Pepper shakers. So, they went on the Vegas Ashtray showcase on the back rim with my tiki ashtrays... Here's a general view of the East side of the room. The track-lites are new and make a HUGE difference in the mood of the whole room! A few close-ups of the same wall to show you some neat-o stuff; especially the great art I've collected from some of my friends... I framed some of my Swizzles in two shadow boxes and hung them on the wall. They look nice displayed this way, but I have so many of them that they'd fill up about twelve frames and take up way too much wall space. SOLUTION: Make finials out of Orchids Of Hawaii Coconut mugs and fill 'em up with the rest of the collection! There's two more on the other side as well! So I guess that's it for now. I still have a few more things to find homes for and a shelf or two that needs to be organised. But, as you all know, the closer you get to finishing, more things to do to it keep popping up! (That's A Good Thing!)
B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Fri, May 16, 2008 2:01 AM Jeez Lee, who did that fine black velvet portrait? It's so ....expressive!
TL Tiki Lee's Tiki Socialite Las Vegas Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 798	TL Tiki Lee's Posted posted on Sun, May 18, 2008 2:45 PM BigBro- That Black Velvet was done by Ben Alano, as discussed on page 4 of the this thread. No one ever came forward with any info on him after he was discussed, so his pedigree remains as another Polynesian Mystery!
D danlovestikis Grand Member (8 years) Joined: Jun 17, 2002 Posts: 9216	D danlovestikis Posted posted on Sun, May 18, 2008 6:07 PM Hi Lee, any chance for a tour next time we make it to Las Vegas? Going to the Red Rooster and Main Street antiques to see what you have for sale is always the highlight of our trip. Seeing these photos shows us that visiting you would be terrific. I hope to see you and your wife at Tiki Oasis again this year, cheers, Wendy and Dan
MB Mr&Mrs BPHoptiki Member Burbank,Ca. Joined: Nov 25, 2006 Posts: 128	MB Mr&Mrs BPHoptiki Posted posted on Sun, May 18, 2008 6:35 PM Your tiki room is amazing! Any chance of a flash lit picture and some information on your floor-to-ceiling fountain? MrsHoptiki
BK Big Kahuna Member SoMass Joined: Apr 11, 2007 Posts: 2486	BK Big Kahuna Posted posted on Thu, May 22, 2008 1:24 PM OK, Lee! I give up! How are those mug shelves secured to the wall & what kind of wood did you use?
TL Tiki Lee's Tiki Socialite Las Vegas Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 798	TL Tiki Lee's Posted posted on Mon, May 26, 2008 11:25 PM Hokay Mr. & Mrs. Hoptiki, here's that photo you wanted: The photograper in me just couldn't use a flash, so I hope this exposure is bright enough for you. I got this fountain years ago at the wholesale convention that is here in Vegas semi-annually. It was made by a company in Arizona that is out of business now, or at least has been swallowed up by a bigger company. Anyway, the fountain has two sides and two pumps, and it's made out of PVC covered in a bamboo overlay. The water pours from the tallest to the shortest, and then back into the reservoir to get pumped up to the top again. To top it all off, there are two fake macaws and the obligatory indonesian mask that I will eventually replace with some kind of carving of my own making. It's really wonderful overall, but it's kinda loud for indoors. If I had an enclosed porch, it'd be perfect out there. Here's a photo I forgot to post last time: It's a sliver of wallspace between where the T.V. will be mounted to the wall and the door to the laundry room. Those three framed artworks are signed and numbered limited edition prints by our patron saint William Westenhaver. I love 'em to death! Kahuna- a reverse-mounted L-bracket works wonders, don't it? You just have to skillfully place the mugs in such a way as to "skip that bump". The wood is redwood carved and burned the Witco Way! Mahaloz!
RH Robb Hamel Member Ohio Joined: Mar 07, 2008 Posts: 1013	RH Robb Hamel Posted posted on Tue, May 27, 2008 5:52 AM Damn, Lee, your tiki room is beyond awesome! Your collection blows me away. I wish this had been located in "Other Crafts," I would have been following it all along. I'm ALL about atmosphere, and the atmospere of you tiki room is incredible. I'm speechless.
TL Tiki Lee's Tiki Socialite Las Vegas Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 798	TL Tiki Lee's Posted posted on Tue, May 27, 2008 9:05 PM Mahaloz, Robb! I wish you were here to enjoy it with me. That's what sucks about being so far away from "the action" as you well know. There's hardly anyone around to come over & visit and share our unique spaces. That's one of T.C.'s strong points- we can still come over for a visit "virtually". I just peeked at the number of views on this thread: over 8400! That's like having a whole lotta friends over for lotsa visits! All y'alls is ALWAYS welcome! Mahaloz!
MB Mr&Mrs BPHoptiki Member Burbank,Ca. Joined: Nov 25, 2006 Posts: 128	MB Mr&Mrs BPHoptiki Posted posted on Wed, May 28, 2008 9:40 AM Hi Tiki Lee, Thanks for the fountain pic. Boy I wish I had one of those. I've got a thing for fountains. Heck, I wish I had the whole room.:D MrsHoptiki
BS bamboo stu Tiki Socialite The Narrow Escape, CA Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 160	BS bamboo stu Posted posted on Wed, May 28, 2008 11:36 AM Wow, the Tiki Room Drummers are to die for. They look awesome lit by faux-candle. Where did they come from?
TL Tiki Lee's Tiki Socialite Las Vegas Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 798	TL Tiki Lee's Posted posted on Sat, May 31, 2008 9:17 AM Bamboo Stu- The Tiki Room Drummers were sold by Disneyland online a few years ago. They were a limited edition of about 300, I think. They pop-up on eBay once in a while, so keep a look out for 'em!
V VampiressRN Grand Member (1 year) Sun City Lincoln Hills (NorCal) Joined: Nov 23, 2006 Posts: 6166	V VampiressRN Posted posted on Sun, Jun 1, 2008 9:53 AM Simply breathtaking!!!
RH Robb Hamel Member Ohio Joined: Mar 07, 2008 Posts: 1013	RH Robb Hamel Posted posted on Sun, Jun 8, 2008 8:41 AM This is the coolest looking Tiki room I've ever seen. Excellent, excellent work. I wanna see it in person.
DZ Dr. Zarkov Member Joined: Mar 07, 2008 Posts: 644	DZ Dr. Zarkov Posted posted on Sat, Jun 14, 2008 9:10 AM This is simply fantastic! The stuff dreams are made of, for sure. Your collection is amazing, and is matched in quality and quantity by the sheer skill and creativity with which it has been displayed. I envy your talent and craftsmanship. I love the way you display your swizzle stick collection. If you look at Picture No. 32 in the photos of my Tiki Lounge at http://www.flickr.com/photos/drzarkov/ you will see a small round table in the bar area next to the rattan chair with a model of an outrigger canoe sitting on top of it. Although you can't tell from the photo, it has a glass top over compartments where my swizzle sticks, matchbooks and plastic drink animal ornaments are displayed. I have one question: Where did you obtain the carved wooden frames for displaying LP records? If you look at Photo No. 11 in my Flickr collection, you will see that I hung some LPs on the wall, too, but the only frames I could find at local craft stores were simple black metal ones. [ Edited by: Dr. Zarkov 2008-06-14 21:09 ]
M mrsmiley Tiki Socialite Las Vegas, NV Joined: Apr 03, 2002 Posts: 3197	M mrsmiley Posted posted on Wed, Jun 18, 2008 12:16 AM Looks ZAZZ-when are we coming over??
TL Tiki Lee's Tiki Socialite Las Vegas Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 798	TL Tiki Lee's Posted posted on Wed, Jun 25, 2008 6:44 PM Mahaloz again folks! Doc Z- those frames were made by Monkeyman here on TC. He's been selling them for years, and he finally stopped production on them, so I guess now they are collector's items! Mr. Smiley- you guys can come over whenever you want, just beware that the rest of the house is cluttered, un-finished and awful!
H hiltiki Tiki Socialite Hollywood, calif. Joined: Jun 10, 2004 Posts: 4256	H hiltiki Posted posted on Wed, Aug 6, 2008 6:25 AM Lee, any new Tiki Room pictures coming up? :tiki:
T TikiMango Member Satellite Beach, FL Joined: Jun 17, 2008 Posts: 798	T TikiMango Posted posted on Wed, Aug 6, 2008 6:56 AM Tiki Lee, wow, what a great room! You have so many awesome items in your collection, it doesn't do it justice to draw attention to any sole piece. Like Hiltiki, definitely looking for any update photos if you have them. What took me so long to find this post? :D
TS Tom Slick Tiki Socialite The Beaches of South Bay, SoCal Joined: Aug 26, 2005 Posts: 1093	TS Tom Slick Posted posted on Wed, Aug 6, 2008 9:02 AM Thats not a tiki room folks......Thats a polypop museum! :lol: Man, I could drink mai tais all day in that room and still not see everything! Great job to all involved making that room complete, and to the owner who definately took it a couple notches up! Cheers Lee! -Tom
S seafoamer Tiki Centralite ma Joined: Aug 05, 2008 Posts: 55	S seafoamer Posted posted on Wed, Aug 6, 2008 1:48 PM WOW! That's a truely UNBELIEVABLE room! I'm a fan.
S sasquatch Member Newcastle, Australia Joined: Aug 29, 2007 Posts: 76	S sasquatch Posted posted on Thu, Aug 7, 2008 4:02 AM ... simply AMAZING! A great thread, thanks for sharing.
LL Limbo Lizard Tiki Socialite Aboard the 'Leaky Tiki', Dallas Joined: Aug 24, 2006 Posts: 788	LL Limbo Lizard Posted posted on Thu, Aug 7, 2008 7:03 AM On 2007-08-11 01:22, Tiki Lee's wrote: ...As for the signiture on the velvet painting, it looks like it says "Ben Alano" but I can't be sure. The date is clear- 1960... Anyone ever hear of this guy? He was a Filipino artist from Manila (1920-1991), apparently quite well regarded. 3 paintings and a comment at: http://raynoho.multiply.com/photos/album/15/Ben_Alano "Ben Alano was one of the more well-known "Mabini artist" who set shop along the busy Mabini St. in Malate, Manila to cater to the tourist trade. He did a lot of paintings on velvet and also paired ethnic paintings just like yours--which were very popular in his time." Here's a Ben Alano painting for sale on a Philippines message board. The description has some info about Alano, and the seller probably knows more. Asking 12,500 pesos (about $285 US). http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+classifieds/id/601078/Ben+Alano+Painting+Oil+on+Velvet "Up for sale is a oil panting of renowned Filipino painter, Ben Alano. [...] The subject is a "Mangsusulsi", a favorite subject of Mr. Alano, which appeared in Duldulao's art book, "100 years of Philippine Realism". [...] Signed BEN ALANO, Manila... " [ Edited by: Limbo Lizard 2008-08-07 07:34 ]
V vrodder Member Joined: Jul 21, 2008 Posts: 8	V vrodder Posted posted on Fri, Aug 8, 2008 9:18 AM Tikilee, Wow... I mean, its like....Wow....(I wish I had a bowing emoticom) It is awesome. There is so much to take in, a real attack on the senses, in a good way. Very inspirational. I don't think I would leave that room...ever!
TL Tiki Lee's Tiki Socialite Las Vegas Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 798	TL Tiki Lee's Posted posted on Tue, Aug 12, 2008 12:42 AM Thanks you guys, and a big THANK YOU to Limbo Lizard for finally solving the big Ben Alano mystery! I swear I googled and yahoo'd everywhere and came up empty! Now my painting has a pedigree; yay! I don't have anymore update photos 'cuz I haven't done anything to the room since the last photos in the spring. When I get my curtains made and hung, and my door-fames covered in bamboo. I'll put 'em up, but I don't think any of that will be done until late fall. Mahaloz again!
T TikiPearlsOfTahiti Member The Frozen North Joined: May 09, 2004 Posts: 31	T TikiPearlsOfTahiti Posted posted on Tue, Aug 12, 2008 5:00 PM Tiki Lee's congrats on a great room! Your Tiki Room is amazing, wow, what a collection! I love your velvet painting, all your stuff is great!
RH Robb Hamel Member Ohio Joined: Mar 07, 2008 Posts: 1013	RH Robb Hamel Posted posted on Wed, Aug 13, 2008 2:43 PM Lee, when you finish your awesome Tiki room I'm gonna drive to Vegas just to see it. It'd be worth the 1,400 mile trip!!!!
T tikipaka Tiki Socialite New York Joined: May 31, 2006 Posts: 644	T tikipaka Posted posted on Sat, Aug 16, 2008 2:53 AM This has got to be the best tiki room I've ever seen. I love to just come in here (TC) from time to time, and just start at the beginning and view each of your photos one at a time all over again. What a collection and how well they've been displayed. I would love to just get in there and do some hunting. LOL Someone asked me why I didn't frame my vinyl and my reply is, If I had framed each of them I would have ran out of space on the walls in my little cabana/tiki bar. Looks like I'll have to just dedicate another room in our house and expand. LOL
TL Tiki Lee's Tiki Socialite Las Vegas Joined: Aug 23, 2003 Posts: 798	TL Tiki Lee's Posted posted on Wed, Nov 19, 2008 2:36 AM Well, the recession has claimed another forclosure victim, and I am sad to say that my wife and I are losing our house, and our Tiki Room with it. Thanks for all your kind compliments over the span of this post. If any of you want to come by and take a peek in person before it all goes away in December, then just let me know and we'll try to hook up before it gets packed away in storage once again for another unknown number of years. At least my shop at The Charleston Antique Mall will stay open. I guess it's gonna have a great new influx of product really soon... Mahaloz Friends.
BB Bongo Bungalow Member Indiana Joined: Aug 20, 2007 Posts: 1295	BB Bongo Bungalow Posted posted on Wed, Nov 19, 2008 2:48 AM Wow, a real shame... but your gorgeous tiki room is not the room, it's what you created in it and that stays with you to be created again. You're got style Tiki Lee!
V VampiressRN Grand Member (1 year) Sun City Lincoln Hills (NorCal) Joined: Nov 23, 2006 Posts: 6166	V VampiressRN Posted posted on Wed, Nov 19, 2008 4:51 AM Bummer...sorry to see you fall prey to the economy. Hope you don't have to stay in storage too long and can enjoy your collection again soon.
B bigtikidude Tiki Socialite Anaheim,Ca. Joined: Aug 10, 2004 Posts: 9222	B bigtikidude Posted posted on Wed, Nov 19, 2008 7:18 AM Sorry to hear the bad news sir. Jeff(bigtikidude)
M Mongoloid Member Long Beach Joined: Apr 25, 2008 Posts: 590	M Mongoloid Posted posted on Wed, Nov 19, 2008 7:59 AM Keep your head up Lee! Gonna be in Vegas for Thanksgiving next week and your store is on my list of stops to make! Aloha
LLT little lost tiki Tiki Socialite Orange,CA-right near the Circle! Joined: Jun 12, 2006 Posts: 7763	LLT little lost tiki Posted posted on Wed, Nov 19, 2008 8:01 AM that is a drag,Lee! :( Your room will remain with the memories and the photos you've left on this thread! Sending you the warmest thoughts and hugs! Any chance of transforming the storage unit into a TikiRoom?
S Sophista-tiki Tiki Socialite Seattle WA Joined: Sep 13, 2005 Posts: 1899	S Sophista-tiki Posted posted on Wed, Nov 19, 2008 8:54 AM LEE! so sorry to hear you have to move. Hopefully new and better things are just around the corner. I knew I was thinking about you for a reason. You guys can always come up here and stay with me. Ive got a whole extra appartment. Dawn
TS Tom Slick Tiki Socialite The Beaches of South Bay, SoCal Joined: Aug 26, 2005 Posts: 1093	TS Tom Slick Posted posted on Wed, Nov 19, 2008 9:39 AM Lee, I wish you only the best out of this bad situation. Your room is/was amazing, and will be remembered here forever on TC! Someone else said it(Bongo Bungalow), but it was a good point...YOU created it, and can doit again. It was the room YOU built, and I'm sure it will be back sooner than we all think! Godspeed, and best wishes brotha! -Tom
MN Mr. NoNaMe Member Joined: May 10, 2006 Posts: 1919	MN Mr. NoNaMe Posted posted on Wed, Nov 19, 2008 8:37 PM Oh man Lee, I wanted to visit your place Lee. Oh Lee, Lee, Lee, Lee, Lee Lee Lee Lee Lee Lee Lee Lee Lee, We're talkin' fuckin' Lee. I had a friend named Lee, He cast a spell, a spell on me..... Skinny-dippin' in a sea of Lee, I'd propose on bended knee To Lee Lee Lee, Lee Lee Lee, Lee Lee, Lee Lee Lee, Lee Lee Lee, Lee Lee, Le-Lut-Le-Le-Le-Lee Lee Lee, Le-Lut-Le-Le-Le-Lee Lee..... I am sending good wishes to you and the missus.

Pages: 1 2 3 134 replies