Could there have been a more creative period in American design history than 1974? Methinks not – as evidenced by the three interiors today… and by my memories of the era. And folks: This look is back with a vengeance, so no whining, go look for your old David Cassidy and Bobby Sherman posters and prepare a place for them.

The image above is a “garage getaway.” As in, refinish the garage for mom so she has some space of her own. Do you watch That 70s Show? Seriously, it is really funny and has wonderful interiors, too. All three images today are from the ever-ingenious interior designers at flooring manufacturer Armstrong World Industries.

This is “The Picnic Kitchen.” It’s adorable, don’t you think? It’s such a pleasant shade of red…and the white and gold go so nicely.

And downstairs — we have our own personal family Irish Pub. This is really truly impressive. Remember, readers, with old floors: Get informed regarding the environmental and safety issues that may be present – consult with a professional.

Related posts:

1. Six great 1961 interiors – floors, furniture, art, outrageous interiors and more I have been reading everyone’s suggestions for updates to...
2. The best 50s ranch house design so far – a Retro Renovation re-run This rerun is for Sara, who is looking for...
3. 6 interiors with great ideas from the late 1960s A look at 1968 – yes, the era of...

ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT for something we’ve never seen before, I was ecstatic to find this “Tappan Ultraflo push-button plumbing” innovation. It was featured in a copy of Popular Mechanics (Sept. 1963) that I picked up at Ron’s place last week. According to the story, mysterious unseen solenoids mix the temp magically so you never have to bother with those, what are they called again…oh yeah, faucet handles.  This could be installed in the bathroom, too. Click through to see the groovy wiring diagram and full text.

And let’s hear your guesses… Why do you think this innovation failed?

Related posts:

1. Retro bathroom faucet with shampoo sprayer Most midcentury bathrooms have a sink with a 4″...
2. Replacement parts for a bathroom faucet or toilet span class=”drop_cap”>Kelly recently bought a 1963 home in Phoenix, and...
3. A special faucet for vintage American Brand kitchen drainboard sinks – still available Can you believe it? You can still get the exact...

Flickr friend Two-Bad provides these images of his (her?) Frigidaire Flair range, along with a vintage ad. Readers say that Samantha Stevens had one in Bewitched. While this model had many imitators – for some reason, the Frigidaire Flair seems to be everyone’s favorite. And look at how great the Danish Modern orange looks with the pink… and the gold… and are those popovers in the oven on the left? Many thanks, Two-Bad!

vintage frigidaire flair stove

vintage frigidaire flair cabinet

Related posts:

1. 1954 vintage stove from Hardwick – with a beautiful gold color scheme This is a beautiful, classic mid-50s vintage stove, a...
2. Vintage stoves to love: 1957 Philco Citation range Vintage stoves were my first true love, so it’s ironic...
3. 1952 time capsule kitchen…70s time capsule bathroom…and more I spent not one — but two — days this...

This is a beautiful, classic mid-50s vintage stove, a 1954 Hardwick used in an advertising for gas appliances. I also adore the color scheme in this image: Gold, black and white – with a punch of red. The image also hints at how effective it can be to use just one color as your predominant color – especially if it is strong (in this case, gold) and then rationing the accents. My kitchen also uses this technique – the aqua is so bold, so strong, that if I had used a second color in near-equal measure, the whole thing would have been too loud, too hard on your eyeballs.  One more thing: When you are buying/restoring vintage ranges, please do your  homework relative to wiring, gas, etc.: I recommend you talk to the folks at AntiqueAppliances.com, who seem to have a history in this area.

Related posts:

1. Vintage 60s orange, harvest gold, avocado and colonial brick flooring remnants Second up in 3-for-Wednesday Reader Shout-Outs: Alison spotted these vintage...
2. What color stain to use for mid-century oak flooring? A reader recently wrote to ask, “What color stain...
3. Stephanie’s vintage O’Keefe and Merritt stove READER STEPHANIE sent in photos of her wonderful vintage...

A look at 1968 – yes, the era of avocado green, harvest gold and other very distinctive designs. I have to say, I really am growing to adore 60s and 70s kitchens, bathrooms and interiors. These people were having a lot of creative fun. Imagine owning a 1971 split level and outfitting it with a red and black rumpus room… bedrooms with multicolored shag carpet…a Nutone intercom throughout, a Drexel Mediterranean dining room set. Hey! That was my house in 1971!  A triumph. Cut to the chase: 70s decor is back – big time. Avocado Oak ad: Georgia Pacific.

Isn’t this Moenique bathtub/shower faucet terrific? Those are “persian” tiles behind – very popular in ‘68, as far as I can see. Ad: Moen.

In the kitchen, it’s Andy Warhol pop colors all the way. That’s wallpaper on the fridge. This kitchen is so well done. Ad: Armstrong.

Those panels lining the tub and shower are Formica laminate. I don’t think the stuff turned out to be very waterproof. Pretty, though.  And I really like the mirror and framed print arrangement above the sinks. Tip: Look for unusually-shaped mirrors like this – they can work in so many possible spaces. Ad: Formica.

I really have a hard time believing that many women put wallpaper on the front of their appliances. But, it certainly is an idea…. Ad: Frigidaire.

I adore this style of wallpaper. The gold, green, orange colonial motif – just makes me so happy. And this is a wonderful Frigidaire. I am quite partial to side-by-side refrigerators. They are particularly good when space is tight. Note, they are not as energy efficient as fridge-on-top styles, I believe. Ad: Tappan.

 

Related posts:

1. Six great 1961 interiors – floors, furniture, art, outrageous interiors and more I have been reading everyone’s suggestions for updates to...
2. 1952 time capsule kitchen…70s time capsule bathroom…and more I spent not one — but two — days this...
3. 1960s time capsule house on DeluxeVille MARY DELUXE of Welcome to DeluxeVille get the weekend super...

Speedway Ron is on the lookout for ideas for really terrific 60s kitchen designs, so we will be on the lookout, too. My goodness, these are chock full of ideas!!! Ad:Vintage Hotpoint.

These designs today showcase some of what was going on about 15 years into the postwar era. Ad: Texboro

Click thru for 5 kitchens in all, along with a little primer….

Longtime readers who have been learning about 40s 50s and 60s kitchen design along with me will know that in general:

• The 40s featured white kitchens with a lot of primarily red-white-blue accents. White – because it was sanitary, and this was also the first wave of fitted kitchens across America – so the design shock was already enough to handle. Red-white-blue because it was patriotic. You saw other primary-color accents as well…Kitchens were sweet, cheerful.
• In the 50s, kitchens were chock-full of innovations: Appliances, dishwashers, new flooring and countertop styles… Color started out white early on…but by the mid-50s the pastel revolution had taken hold. In addition, there were plenty of knotty pine kitchens, don’t forget.
• By the 60s, even more changes took hold. There was more open concept design in homes, and as a result, kitchen cabinets started to take on the look of furniture. Also, contemporary styles finally became more popular, so you saw cabinets lifted off the ground with danish modern-style legs. Again, though, don’t underestimate the popularity of simple wood cabinets – many families still preferred “traditional” styling and not to mention – wood was affordable. Back in these days, people were still thrilled — to have the basics.

Related posts:

1. Retro kitchens in the news A revival for mid-century kitchen designs? Yes, the industry arbiter...
2. Youngstown Kitchens Monterey cabinets Finishing up my Youngstown Kitchens 1957 mini-series, here is their...
3. 6 interiors with great ideas from the late 1960s A look at 1968 – yes, the era of...

More today from the Wilsonart laminate history archives. In the 60s, laminate colors got, at one end of the spectrum richer and earthier – and at the other end, pop-art bold.  Some of the defining trends from the period, this article says:

• Color TV was introduced in 1965, bringing us closer in touch with design inspiration from other cultures.
• The Mediterranean look – more specifically, Spanish Colonial — gave us both colors and textures like faux leather. “Corinthian leather!”
• The op-art, pop-art world was a-flutter. Hence, the iconic oranges, yellows and lime greens of the period.
• We loved faux everything. The future is Plastics.
• Oh yeah: Squint and you can see avocado green and harvest gold… two colors that stayed with us well into the 70s.

Related posts:

1. 6 interiors with great ideas from the late 1960s A look at 1968 – yes, the era of...
2. Kohler colors from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s What colors to use in your 40s 50s 60s...
3. How to revive laminate countertops? A reader wrote to ask how to bring the...

A timeless 1964 kitchen to celebrate the weekend. Reasons to like this one:

1. Beautifully put together – an airy white background graphically punched up with wood cabinet doors, cone-shaped light fixture, seat cushions and even napkins. Meanwhile, you see right through the wire chairs, continuing the airy and open feel.
2. The large-scale wallpaper on the door to the laundry room is fabulous. What a great touch – to take something old fashioned – a botanical fruit, in this case – and treat it in an iconic way to bring it solidly into the modern era. So Andy Warhol. I am going to see if I can find a wallpaper like this.
3. Notice the painted paneling over by the phone, and yes – the Pennsylvania Dutch (or Scandinavian?) style placemats. Either way, you know that I love this country kitsch thrown in. You simply cannot take your room too seriously.
4. Finally, is that terrazzo on the floor? Yum.

Related posts:

1. Paint color for a red brick and wood ranch house I‘VE ALWAYS ADMIRED THIS HOUSE three blocks or so from...
2. Wood paneling — time for a comeback? I‘ve been holding off for a while on posting...
3. Cindy’s 50s pink bathroom – timeless character “beyond retro” From Cindy’s mid century pink bathroom, Lexington, Kentucky When...