Tag Archives: retro

Retro fabrics and color blocking all the rage

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As Mad Men continues to win all the awards and new shows feature 1960 airline stewardesses and Playboy bunnies everything retro remains trendy and popular.  This includes fashions (mod mini dresses), entertaining (i.e. old fashioned cocktail parties) and home decor.  Color blocking and mod colors and fabrics are all the rage.

Remember this?  Well it’s back in style.

Color blocking is just what it sounds like…blocks of color are used throughout a room, often with no pattern in sight.  A perfect example of color blocking is this dining room designed by Todd Klein.  Each chair and the window seat pillows are done in a different solid color fabric.

photo by Simon Watson for House Beautiful

 Elle Decor shared this color blocked bedroom featuring ottomans and throw pillows as well as a colorful throw tossed against the solid white bedding.  Even though the colors are bright it is a restful and inviting room.

photo courtesy of Elle Decor

This living room is color blocking at its best.  Set against a white backdrop the colorful chairs, ottomans and even the accessories really pop.

photo courtesy of Elle Decor and abramowics

 

What do you think of this everything old is new again trend?  Is it something you will incorporate into your own decorating?

Fabric: Fun fabrics with a retro feel

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 Just as certain smells can transport you back in time, certain fabrics can do the same.  If the smell of freshly baked cookies reminds you of your grandmother’s kitchen then you must surely remember her oilcloth covered kitchen chairs.  If the smell of lilacs transports you back to your parent’s backyard then the memory, no doubt, includes clean denim jeans and crisp cotton shirts hanging on the line.  And if, like me, the smell of a crisp summer morning reminds you of weeks spent at the lake you are probably familiar with an old mattress covered in ticking fabric.

These retro fabrics are available in many different colors and patterns.  They are durable and can be used for window treatments, seat covers, outdoor furniture cushions, table linens and accent pillows.

This cute table and chair set from Chalkydoodles on Etsy is upholstered in colorful oilcloth that can resist stains and wipes clean with a damp cloth.  Perfect for a crafts table cover, floor protection and seat covers on this darling set.  I bet all of you DIYers could easily accomplish this look!

Ticking is a durable and versatile fabric that is commonly associated with mattress and pillow covers.  However, it can also be used to make fun bean bag chairs for all the kids and will be able to withstand the rough and tumble activities they will subject the chairs to.  How about a darling window valance edged in red for that wanna-be train conductor in your family?  Or cover that well-worn sofa in the family room with red ticking slip covers welted with navy blue for a nautical or Americana look.

A standard wing chair gets a facelift with blue ticking fabric. (avail at frenchlaundryhome.com)
High Quality Photo

If you are not looking to redecorate then toss a few pillows on the sofa made from ticking, denim and gingham or recover your outdoor cushions in colorful and durable oilcloth.  I guarantee, or at least I hope, you will be transported back to the carefree summer days of your childhood!

Design Style: Retro Design

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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.