Quickly after World War II ended, Americans plowed right into making a wonderful new life for themselves – starting with building their dream kitchens, dream bathrooms – dream houses. Looking at periodicals from 1946, I can see a few distinct trends – this was a transitional period…you still see many Deco influences…you see a lot of primary colors…and definitely, interiors were “sweet”, although in ’46 homeowners certainly would have declared them “modern.” Read on for ideas from each of six great interiors, including a bathroom, two living rooms and a bedroom. 1946 was a very good year!

Tips from the first kitchen image — isn’t the “life through a Pyrex pie plate” awesome?:

• This color combination: Dark cherry red linoleum countertops, primary green linoleum floor, white metal (or wood cabinets) with deco pulls seems to have been very, very common.
• In this image, you also see a light chartreuse green on the wall – this, or yellow, also seem to have been popular secondary colors.
• And flowered fabrics… These kitchens are pure prettiness. Image: Pyrex, of course.

Isn’t this Briggs Beautyware bathroom just gorgeous.  To be sure, there is a lot going on. Observations:

• Great color combination: beige – almost salmon tile, light baby blue (ala today’s “spa blue”), brown linoleum floor. The darker floor in both this image and the kitchen above “anchor” the rooms.
• Very ’40s: the fringy rug in front of the tub, striped and monogrammed towels, chenille-scalloped rug in front of the sink, tufted dressing chairs, and all the Carrera glass (used instead of tile on the walls).
• Last time I checked, today’s linoleum is not recommended for bathrooms – but if you are dedicated to keeping standing water off the floor – or want to use it in a 1/2 bath, go for it.
• Notice the full length mirror behind the dressing table at the far right.
• That full length drape – and of course, the glass block – both add to the luxe feel. Image: Briggs Plumbing.

• Blonde wood – similar to Heywood-Wakefield’s classic champagne (I believe) finish. This room definitely has a primary color feel.
• The lampshade: I’d call that “40s”…”waxed foil”?
• The patterned rug – definitely promoted heavily in the 40s.(You can see it in my header!)
• The built-in couch … a continuation straight of of 20s and 30s moderne designs

• Oh my gosh, oh so ’40s: lavendar walls, emerald green floors. Combining these “secondary” colors of the color wheel is always on the “recommended” lists that were so common during this period.
• Chintz draperies – scalloped valance
• Notice the Staffordshire dogs on the mantel – very classic.
• Not a ton of furniture in 40s interiors. (Today, our interiors are way jammed compared with the immediate postwar period.)
• Note the style of the deco club chairs. And, there’s a colonial wing chair in the foreground. Image: American Home.

• Here’s the purple/green color combo again.
• I’m calling the bedding: dove gray, although it’s hard to tell from this image.
• The wallpaper – very sweet, simple…and combined with the chintz curtains and scalloped valance (again…) even more so. Note: I’ve found some not-too-expensive wallpaper in this vein and will feature it soon. Image: American Home.

• Cabbage rose chintz pinch pleats with frilly undercurtains. American Home.

Remember this palette? It’s from the Church toilet seat company – and it captures the 40 palette very will indeed. Happy decorating all you owners of 40s homes… Jason K…Carleton Heights Girl… Neil.. and more! Ad: Church Plumbing.

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