Design Style: Retro Design

With the popularity of television shows like “Madmen” there has been a resurgence of interest in decorating trends from the 1950′s through the  early sixties.  If you are fortunate enough to live in a mid-century style home you are already familiar with soaring windows and Eames furniture.  However, there are some style elements of this period that can be used in any home to add just a touch of retro design.  For example:

• Turquoise has already been named the  2010 color of the year by Pantone and it was certainly popular in the early sixties.  It is possible to find mixing bowls, toasters and other kitchen items in this color as well as other colors of the time including yellow, red and pink.  Look for it in dishware also.  Remember melamine dishes?
• Low slung Danish modern furniture was popular during this time period.  Upholster your chairs in a white, green or turqoise vinyl to really stay true to the period.  For more information and to purchase vinyl suitable for upholstery, visit our site at www.onlinefabricstore.net.
• Fabrics were bright and colorful and featured large floral and fern patterns as well as some  prints with sputnik and other “spacey” designs.  Remember, it was 1961 when we first placed a man on the moon and space was a new territory.  Pop art patterns were also used to add a bright and modern touch to interior spaces.
• Popular colors included orange (popular again now), turquoise (need I say more about this color?) and mint green.  Neutrals were also used in combinations that included chocolate brown and turquoise (there it is again), fuchsia or various shades of green.

Things changed in 1963 with the assassination of our President and the turmoil that followed.  Design styles changed and flower power and hippie style moved in as young America turned on and tuned out.  But true retro design includes furniture, fabric and accessories from 1950-1963.  So have fun and relive childhood memories through the use of colors and shapes from this decorating era.

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What do Elvis and Home Decorating have in common?

Elvis would have turned 75 this year and there is still tremendous interest in the man’s life and music.  We all know about Elvis’ contribution to the music world and even the fashion world but what contributions did he make to the interior decorating world?  One visit to his home, Graceland, and you may be able to answer this question.

At first glance this house appears to be gaudy and pretentious.  But a closer look shows that the house was decorated in the style and colors popular in the early sixties.   Overlook the gilding and red velvet and you may be surprised to find that many of those design ideas are popular again today.  For example:

• The color yellow is used throughout the home from the soft yellow found in the living room to the vibrant yellow  bar in the playroom downstairs.  In 2009 the color yellow, aptly named Mimosa by Pantone, was a very popular color for home decorating.  The color blue is also used throughout the house and, lo and behold, the color of the year for 2010 is turquoise and related shades of  blue.
• The famous Jungle Room features hand carved chairs from Indonesia.  In today’s interiors, rustic and hand crafted items are very popular as are animal print fabrics.
• Graceland was decorated to accommodate a large family that gathered and ate together in the dining room and played together in the living areas.  Due to the state of today’s economy, many families are  now decorating their homes in a way that encourages and supports interaction with their families.
• Every room in Elvis’ home has several televisions and the latest electronic gadgets for the time.  Does this sound familiar?  Today’s homes also feature TVs in every room and enough electronic gadgets to fill a warehouse.  Not sure this is a good thing but it is the way of the future.

This article is a bit tongue-in-cheek but it is interesting to see how decorating and design trends come full circle.

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