Frequently Wrong but Never In Doubt: 50's Interior Design furnishings

50's Interior Design furnishings - maybe some inspiration!

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Well, as usual this morning was a flurry of activity and I slowed down to a complete crawl this afternoon. I feel like a total slug now.

I just ran across these pictures of two (YES two) 50's decorating books that I own. The graphics are great, there are some real decorating ideas, and frankly if you're into 50's mid century decorating, it doesn't get any better than that.

This one is a Better Homes and Gardens Workbook with a looseleaf binder:

This one is a book, my Mom actually had it and it's from Ladies Home Journal:

Since I have a 50's house, this provides inspiration and frankly some horror about the combinations of fabric and styles. However, it is interesting to see what we remember from the 50's and what we all seem to happily blank out.
Thanks to all on the positive comments about the blog redesign...I'm still tweaking.

posted by Sharkeysday, 5/31/2005 06:13:00 PM

6 Comments:

Egads M-F! I grew up in the 50's in a home with a boring white kitchen and a Mum who didn't care a whit about decorating. For most of my early Married years I LUSTED after one of those Turquoise Kitchens! My favorite color for a long time, but by the time I could afford such things, it had gone out of favor. I'm stuck now with a stainless steel kitchen that includes a fridge that won't even hold magnets! LOL
LouAnne

commented by

Anonymous, May 31, 2005 7:01 PM

Ohh... I'm so jealous of these. I love mid-century modern design!

commented by

laurie b., May 31, 2005 8:31 PM

ah yes... that "line all the furniture up around the walls" look....

It's surprising to me how many of the chairs look a lot more "occasional" than comfortable (or substantial)... but I do love that white chair that looks like Meis piece..

commented by

Debra, June 02, 2005 8:04 AM

I HAVE a mid-century kitchen! White cabinets (27 of them!) a red counter top, grey (plastic) tile backsplash. I need help selecting an appropriate accent color and flooring. the original floor was grey and red linoleum but has been destroyed by a few misdirected makeovers!

And, I just acquired a vintage dinette set -- lovely tubular chrome -- that I would like to reupolster and use.

Please help!!!

commented by

Jo, June 07, 2005 4:33 PM

i'm writing my thesis on home and the idea of it and i find that the concept of home is base on these 1950's catalogues that you own yourself...may i ask what year they are from and any other information about them if you have any. it would be much appreciated. my email is moork815@newschool.edu. thanks so much

commented by

kami, February 23, 2006 6:24 PM

I am doing a research project about interior design in the 1950's for my US history class. If you could tell me where these could be found or if you have any other similar books/magazines that you would like to recommend it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much.

email:justmatt726@gmail.com

commented by

Matt, March 07, 2006 5:18 PM

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