A while back, Pam and I created 11 retro decorating “archetypes” — and “retroscopes” to go with. We made these as a “freemium” for the signing up for our newsletter… and now, we decided to just put all this analysis out there. This archetyping was mostly in the spirit of fun, but reading through the retro vintage design styles we gave names to again, well, golly, we still kinda think they capture the different buckets pretty accurately. What do you think? Which archetype, or mix of archetypes are YOU?
Did we miss any???
No matter what your retro style – or mix – rest assured that here on Retro Renovation, you can feel at home. In fact, we are pretty insanely crazy about ALL the retro styles – so, we cover them all. To top it off, our community of readers really is like one big, retro-loving family – appreciative of everyone’s unique style – because, yup, we know: There’s more than one way to retro.
See the archetypes enlarged:
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:
Kelly Wittenauer says
Still working to master it, but mostly a retro-modern mixer – with minimalist inclinations. Small bits of kitsch manage to sneak in here & there – mostly in the basement rec room.
pam kueber says
I wanna play! My ideal is Hippie Peace Freak – best epitomized in my most personal space, my office. In the main of the house, Tasteful Traditionalist is probably most prevalent — especially the living room and dining room, where I have a lot of vintage Baker Furniture that came from my fantastically stylish mother-in-law… The basement den is Grandma’s Little Darling… The kitchen is probably best described at Rockabilly Classic… and I have some Medieval Maven and Streamlined Sophisticate happening in both (otherwise Traditional) bedrooms going on. Mash-up, heck to the yeah!
Gabrielle says
While I adore all these different styles, I’d have to say my style is a mix of “hippie peace freak” & “trash to treasure talent” with some “granny’s little darling” mixed in. My bedroom is a mix of hand-me-downs and retro pieces I found at thrift shopes, antique stores, yard sales, and estate sales. 🙂
Robin, NV says
I’m probably a retro-modern mixer – but I hesitate to call myself a “master.” I like the modern conveniences but with a retro vibe.
What I’d really like to be is a 70s medieval maven. If I ever move, I’ll definitely be on the hunt for a high style 70s house.
Jay says
The tasteful traditionalist only because of the type of furniture that has come my way through the years. The dining room is very formal, I think it needs an astral light fixture like the ones from California Props. One day…
The 70s Medieval Maven made me chuckle. That describes my basement to a T and yes, the shag carpeting is now gone.
hannah says
I believe I’ve got a ‘mash-up’ going on in my home. Decor from the 50’s through the 70s. I might be a mix of Granny’s Little Darling and Hippie Peace Freak. 😀
The only pieces of modern furnishings in this house is my PC, the fridge and stove and the stereo (oh, and the flat screen in my bedroom). Other than that, all vintage, or vintage replica (Vera tea towels for example, and some vintage like bathroom towels).
My living room has an un-intended tiki vibe, as I’m still searching for the perfect sofa/chair suite in my price range. Vintage or newly made.
These were fun to read Kate, and I love the graphics!
Jennifer says
I think that there are two other types: (1) the mostly-regional Mexican/Spanish styles that you see in CA, FL, TX, NM, and parts of AZ (adobe revival, Spanish revival, etc.). Add a little bit of cowboy (or Native American) style and you are 50’s-early 60’s. Add some mid-mod and you move it up a decade.
One of the things I love about the adobe revival and its counterparts is the modest materials that stand the test of time. Our adobe revival has brick floors (some neighbors have the large square tile floors); house-length-spanning pine logs called vigas that support the ceiling; *dirt* insulation (yes, a little sifts down when someone walks on the roof), and adobe block walls that are about 14″ thick, literally made from the earth on site. Another wonderful characteristic is that handmade means that nothing’ straight–the ceiling gently ripples between thicker and thinner logs, the doorways are wider at the bottom than the top. That chunkiness lets you opt for heavier furniture, or lets you go nuts with wild retro colorways and 70s earthy plant displays, or shows off a riotous Mexican tile mural–or you can tone it down with the simple lines and splayed legs of Danish modern and the ilk, or even go all Zen spa.
A similar style, or at least one that plays well, is Craftsman; I’m most familiar with examples in Southern CA and the Bay Area, but I know there are other places in the country that got neighborhoods full of these homes, cottages and bungalows on up. These homes can swing way back to the 20s or forward to the 70s (think Berkeley or Sausalito, CA and you’ve got it.)
So what to call this style, dictated by these architectural types? I’m not certain. Rancho Tostada (the blog) gives us one option.
Jukesgrrl says
Yes! I live in Tucson, AZ, and we still have plenty of MCM ranches around here where the interiors are definitely “Tostada,” whether they are highlighting the Mexican, the cowboy, or the home-steader design vibe.
Roundhouse Sarah says
Hippy peace freak/ queen of kitsch
Douglas Camin @ House on Rynkus Hill says
I’m pretty sure we fall into the mid mod minimalist category for our place. Definitely keep to primary pieces and very little kitsch.
For the tasteful traditionalist another furniture line would be Heritage Perennian. It was less popular but fit the same mold bridging traditional and modern during that era. (Pam, I sent you a copy of a catalog for this line that I had awhile back!)
pam kueber says
I’ll go back into my email for it, Douglas! Thanks for the reminder!
Douglas Camin @ House on Rynkus Hill says
Pam – I just sent you a fresh copy of it to save you the hassle of digging all around in old emails.
pam kueber says
Thanks!
virginia says
This is so fun! I’d say Hippy Peace Freak with two healthy side orders of Trash to Traditionalist and Rockabilly Classic. I’m lucky in that my husband and son have zero interest in interior decor — though my son’s room is very much his own — so I have relatively free reign. The fact that I live with two men has probably reined me in — to good effect, I think. I would be totally down with the wallpaper sampler study, by the way. Great idea–looks sensational.
Also, MANY thanks for the mirror tiles tip. I am on my second batch — this time golden champagne bubbles. They are great looking, super easy to install — made a huge difference in my small kitchen. And the boxes alone are worthy of being put on display. I did have to purchase new tape tabs but very very small price to pay.
How about a tip of the hat to the 80s. Color of Money style.