A 1948 home theater? Yup. What goes around comes around, and this basement home theater — featuring those old film reels in cans — doesn’t look all too different from many home theaters today with their big, flat, wide screens tucked into the wall just like the cinema. Thanks to Tamara, who found this illustration in a 1948 Chromedge catalog. .
Note the art deco/streamline feel of this room… the linearity makes it feel almost like a railroad car… and the colors and glitz, like a Hollywood picture show palace. Chromedge made chrome edging (ha!) for countertops, and look: You can even see the Chromedge stair tread trim and… their fancy chrome trim between the rectangular wall panels in the home theater room. Remember, back in 1948, folks were very much in a do-it-yourself mode. I can imagine Dads studying this catalog and making plans to finish the basement using relatively easy-to-install wall panels like those shown here. Knotty pine, then other sorts of wood paneling, were even more popular — but for the same reasons: Affordable DIY (and paneling was very much in synch with the long-lasting popularity of Early American style.)
More delicious pages from this Chromedge catalog to come soon, you all will love it. Many thanks, Tamara!
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COMMENTS WILL RE-OPEN on MONDAY, DECEMBER 2. For the first time in, like, 13 years, I am taking a real vacation from the blog, to spend un-distracted time with family. As part of this, Commenting on the blog is paused. Meanwhile, please enjoy reading all the many stories in our archives -- and come back Monday, Dec. 2 when I will launch our annual giveaway of a vintage ornament wreath made by Georgia Peachez -- and when comments will reopen so you can enter to win! HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
Joe says
That rules. my best guess is that armoire on the right side is either a record cabinet or a dry bar….or BOTH.
Melanie says
What an awesome room! I think I finally found the inspiration I need for my living room! 🙂
Kathy says
I love the channel back couch! And it looks like a chrome base on the chair?
Fiona - Notorious Kitsch says
oh my this is fabulous and what a great inspiration for those of us who love mid century design but like our technology too, a great way of hiding a huge flat screen TV! I am inspired!
Dot says
How cool! I have the same chrome edging on my basement stairs.