From the category archives:
I am hearing reports of a Retro Renovation baby boom. Weddings, too. So exciting 
No question, nothing gets the decorating instinct into overdrive than having a bun in the oven. In fact, we’re all just feathering our nests when it comes right down to it, aren’t we? Heck yeah there is more…
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BEDROOMS all this week here at Retro Renovation. Some readers recently asked for more ideas and inspiration for their mid-century bedrooms — so let’s have a look.
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In my experience, designing my mid-century bedroom was not at all stressful. Compared to a kitchen or bathroom there are far fewer decisions. Because you are working within a drywall or plaster “box” — you do not have to think about expensive things like tile and plumbing and electric, etc. Bedrooms are a much more “creative” than “technical” problem solving. To me — and as per feng shui — a bedroom should be a restful place. With that as pretty much the only “rule,” the design possibilities are in fact endless. Here are 11 tips taken from my own experience, to get you started. Heck yeah there is more…
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When it comes to bedroom rugs, I’m a big fan of Capel braided rugs. I have two braided rugs from Capel, which I originally purchased about 15 years ago. I’ve been in three houses…and was always able to find a perfect spot for them. You can get them on sale for great prices, in all sizes, in a gazillion colorways, they last forever, and because they are multicolored they can fit with many different color schemes — they give you flexibility…these things have legs, you will be handing them down to your kids. You can get them in all-wool, in chenille, and in blends that would work well in a basement where it may be damp. They are also totally authentic retro, and it seems, made in America. These things are nearly perfect. One thing I will add is that, even with all the color, they read kind of “neutral” once you get them onto the floor. Once they are loaded up with furniture, lamps and all, they kind of blend right into the floor. They also hide dirt exceedingly well. See all the Capel braided rugs here.
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52PostnBeam spotted this gorgeous, nine-piece, 1930s bedroom ensemble on craigslist, and posted it over on the Forum. Gorgeous – and seems like a steal at $60. Thanks, 52pnb, the retro decorating gods will surely send you set of vintage steel kitchen cabinets soon!
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WOW. Now this is something I’ve never seen. Thanks to 52PostnBeam for spotting this steel bedroom set on craiglist and posting it on the Forum. So deco. All metal. $175 in Arizona – great deal. As 53pnb says:
Take your love of metal cabinets to the next level…or at least to the next room.
Reminds me, many readers have send me notes over the past two years asking me to do stories on Lustron homes…I actually know about these, have been in a few…I’ll get around to the topic some day! Meanwhile: A metal bedroom set — so cool.
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I think that our readers in Eichler homes and other mid-century modern homes will like this bedroom. This design is from 1954. The slate blue and orange color combination is stunning, and the “simplicity” of the design is so elegant and yet, comfortable. Heck yeah there is more…
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Maggie recommended this ebay seller for new-old-stock bedspreads — I like this one a lot. It’s for a full-sized bed, originally made for Sears, and never used. Thanks, Maggie.
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Yes, it is possible that this 1954 bedroom from the interior design team at Armstrong went a little too far with the cork. On the closet doors? Well, maybe for a teen — you could thumbtack your Tab Hunter posters there…. Look beyond this cork excess, however, and this mid-century bedroom has some lovely design going on. Heck yeah there is more…
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Here’s a slightly larger image of our bedroom-week photo – for the folks who seem to love the wallpaper so much. Sorry… this is a shot from a 50s ad, I can’t say I’ve ever seen fabulous wallpaper like this in person. Isn’t the lacquered side table…and upholstered tufted headboard wonderful. Gosh, today is “blue” day.
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Your house has all kinds of features that were state-of-the-art ... and beloved ... when it was first built. Learn about them, and you may just decide to keep them.
