Interior design in the 1960s featured colors that were bright, plentiful and not afraid of to play with contrast… but you sure can see the 1970s sneaking up, even by 1966. Goodness — look at this pink perfection confection basement rumpus room — one of 16 bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms and other spaces featured in my 1966 Sherwin Williams paint brochure. In particular, I want to marry those Eames style chairs — and look: There are matching bar stools, too. I think I’ve seen the dinette before… my memory is vague… it may be the bestest ever. But I say that every time I see another cool dinette, don’t I? I also love some of the colonial-modern living rooms in this brochure… and I am now incited to get me some mid mod wig stands — notice them peeking out here and there. What is that all about? The women’s falls and other hair pieces that were so popular in the 60s? Oh, I have some of those picked up from estate sales. Kind of gross, but I have a high tolerance for gross when it comes to vintage.
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Heidi E. says
I so badly want that red bedroom in picture six! I am currently trying to finagle a way to purchase a mid-century home on my painfully limited budget and if I can manage it, that will have to happen, somehow!
vintigchik says
Has anoyne seen the kid’s movie Matilda yet?? If not, you need to watch it for all the fun vintage sets, complete with VCT tiles, a to-die-for mid century modern home, and older homes. Plus the movie is super cute and is based on the book by Roald Dahl. Matilda’s house is my fav on this!
vintigchik says
I’ve noticed a couple of photos that have what looks like vertical blinds. Are these era appropriate for my 1968 split level? I have 3 sliding glass doors in my home and there are some blinds left by the previous owners. I’m not crazy about them, but with a dog and 3 kids in and out, it’s convenient. I was thinking about getting some and painting over them with an era appropriate color or something. What are your thoughts?
Gayla says
What a walk down memory lane. I borrowed the money for my fall from a boy friend. He was really mad when he found out what I so desperately needed the money for. LOL Nope, didn’t marry that one. I’m seeing all the Spanish accents there that completely took over my decorating not so long after 1970. I can’t believe I had black wrought iron chains hanging on my living room walls but I did. That was my avocado green, gold and red period. I thought it was just gorgeous. I hope that comes back and replaces this horrid sea of brown the furniture stores are still full of. No wonder the country is in a depression!
vintigchik says
Amen sister!
Josie says
That orange kitchen shocked me, it was soooo cute. I knew I loved yellow and white, but the orange is so fresh and fun. I’d love to see it with white geraniums (or orange gerber daisies, if you felt like being less period) potted on the sill.
I love citrus-y, sunny schemes – whether orange, yellow, or chartruese/lemongrass/lime green, mixed with white. Its actually my favourite vintage scheme, edging ahead of pink/aqua/lavender (but only slightly, I’m not hating on those by any means).
Slightly off topic, and not to sound ungrateful when I’ve got an awesome page like that orange scheme, but…Miss Pam, please please please can I have a run down of dinette styles? Please? I love you! You look pretty today! [/puppy eyes]
LOL, we just really need a dinette set and my husband hates all the ones I’ve come up with. His dislike of metal/glass/plastic furniture really crimps me for options, unless you have some ideas.
What’s a wood, mid-century modest option? Can I recushion a bland thrifted or unfinished set with checks or cherries or something and then paint it a coordinating color? I am so stuck.
pam kueber says
You brown nose well, Josie. I’ll see what I can do.
James says
Wow- what colors. There was a lot of societal strife in the mid- to late- 1960s, but the colors in these images really reflect an optimistic, upbeat outlook. What a contrast to the current glum “griege” look.