Comments on: That 70s house — 3 interiors

By: sumac sue

sumac sue — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:39:09 +0000

My dad turned part of our basement into a family room, with dark wood paneling and lots of “antiqued” furniture in greens and blues. Couches and chairs had brown upholstery, and the carpet had thin stripes in multicolors. Decorative pieces had a colonial look, since that’s what my mom used in the rest of the house. Dad built a bar in one corner, and we had a cutout in one wall for an aquarium, which actually sat on a shelf in the unfinished part of the basement. We thought it was all so cool. That room was used for slumber parties, pizza or fondue parties, and family holiday gatherings. My most vivid TV memories from that family room are watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon in 1969, and watching the original Saturday Night Live cast in the mid-70s, when I was home from college for the weekend. Lots of friends had similar basement and garage rooms, but no one had a room as sunny as that red and white room pictured. Everyone went for that dark look of the Irish pub room — although shabbier, since the old living room furniture made its way to the family room.

By: tailfin

tailfin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:42:52 +0000

Yeah, my garage is detached, dates from 1930, is kind of creepy & is filled with overflow from my house, so I can’t do the Cheektowaga living room either. Plus my street doubles as an on-ramp for a thruway, so the truck fumes can be pretty harsh. But a few blocks down — where the homes were built in the 1950s — I see a lot of these summer garage conversions (which makes sense since part of this neighborhood actually is in Cheektowaga).

By: James

James — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:24:44 +0000

I like the concept of the “Cheektowaga Living Rooms”- apparently those old home magazines with their find-more-living-space-in-the-garage articles did have an impact. Sounds like fun, and a lot “greener” than blasting the air conditioning all summer.

Unfortunately, I have a garage like Pam- a lake forms in the garage with each rainfall…

By: Jane (aka) Elvis

Jane (aka) Elvis — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:55:41 +0000

Color-wise, I can’t yet embrace the use of all those 70’s colors together, but I am loving my set of 60s danish modern avocado green upholstered chairs, tempered by my royal blue couch.

For a great look at a 60’s modern interior set, rent the first season of “Bewitched”. The set designers liked danish modern furnishings, but there are other style touches, too. It’s fun!

By: pam kueber

pam kueber — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:51:00 +0000

Welcome, rompsy. But hey: I like that carpet! And who doesn’t like tiki chairs?

By: rompsy

rompsy — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:32:05 +0000

Wow, the repurposed garage looks like an IKEA showroom (aside from the unfortunate carpet and the tiki chairs, that is). That picnic kitchen is so sweet that it makes my teeth hurt! But I love all the red trim and the checkered floor. And who wouldn’t want an Irish pub in their basement?? Great pics, Pam!

By: pam kueber

pam kueber — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:07:55 +0000

tailfin, that is a very sweet image, your “Cheektowaga Living Rooms.” I like it a lot. Alot alot.

By: tailfin

tailfin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:31:34 +0000

James, here in Western New York we see a lot of garages repurposed as living spaces during the summer. Many homes have screen inserts for the garage door, they install indoor/outdoor carpeting and bring casual, comfortable furniture into the garage. They’re jokingly called “Cheektowaga Living Rooms” named for a suburb where they are prevalent. I think it’s kind of neat idea, but many people consider it tacky. This is a region where many homes (including mine) still don’t have air conditioning.

By: gavin hastings

gavin hastings — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:58:28 +0000

My favorite 70’s interior ever: the home of Mack and Sally McMillan of “McMillan and Wife”. Runner-up: Mary Tyler Moore’s apartment and the set of “The Doris Day Show”.

Makes me want to find a capiz shell lamphade and I do miss those exposed brickwall fern bars with church pews as booths!

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:46:43 +0000

I love the 70s Show. I would love to see all of the shows from the pilot to the finale. I used to laugh so much over it, but also waste so much time watching tv.

Just had to echo in with your love for the show.