The reason I tend to focus so much on kitchens and bathrooms is that these spaces, if they need work, are the costliest and most nerve wracking. But, I do care about the other rooms! So, when readers submitted more than 200 photos of their vintage and retro holiday decorating, I had a great chance to “mine” the photos for some examples of some of the great things going on in mid century living rooms today. For example: I’m for sure dreaming of a white Christmas in the Hibbard living room. See more on their blog: HibbardKitchen.Blogspot.com. Read on for a peek inside six more mid mod living rooms…
What a lovely photo from Gavin, showing his formal colonial interior-in-progress last Christmas (his is a trim-the-tree on Christmas eve family). We saw an update of this living room earlier this year.
Continuing to show the diversity of mid mod, Mrs Erin D’s living room also is classic — mid century modest meets tiki, I’d call this, I think. I love the chartreuse color scheme, the matching Asian figural lamps with their awesome two-tier fiberglass shades, the vintage TV, the afghan and pillows, the fiberglass planter… lots of great details here!
I’m really liking vintage textile wall hangings these days. And this photo from SassyMissTallulah is blowing my mind, how did you do that, SMT?
I like Maryanna’s mod graphic curtains along with their coordinating cornice. A cornice like this can be a really good idea in cold climates: In the winter, if you pair a cornice like this over hefty pinch pleats, you can really prevent drafts. Drafts occur when warm air rises, is attracted and pulled toward cold windows, then drops along the window surface, to the floor, where you then heat it and start the cycle all over again.To prevent such drafts, you really need to block that window off, including from the top. Can you tell it’s FREEZING here in Massachusetts and that I have been thinking about this? Cornices may be in my future yet.
Now THIS is blast-from-the-past shape for a mid century cornice. Scalloped cornices like this were super popular, I am guessing because Dad could make them out of knotty pine or plywood using his own shop tools. In time capsule homes, I usually see these all-wood. But I also really like the padded and upholstered look, depending on the style of the rest of the room. Nice pole lamp here, too. *no name*
Oh yeah, baby, wall-o-pinch-pleats, love the pole lamp, the wall color is great, contrasting peach colored chair is fabulous, and the cat is a nice touch, too. Another retro interior from Eartha Kitsch.
Many thanks again to everyone for their submissions — I swear these photos gave me ideas for at least five future stories. 🙂
Maureen says
Beautiful homes! I didn’t realize what “cornices” were or their purpose! I thought that they were decorative only & referred to them as wooden valances! Now I know better!
Happy Daze says
Cornices on drapes were huge in the ’40s and ’50s. Some designs were quite elaborate with tufting or anodized metal trim.
Dot says
What beautiful trees! I used to be able to use my antique/glass ornaments before I adopted Buddy and Gracie (my two rescue cats)! How does Eartha keep her cat out of the tree?? Thanks to everyone for sharing. Merry Christmas!
CindyD says
Don’t know how Eartha does it, but we hang tiny bells and jingles throughout the tree so we at least know if they’re near it. I don’t think they care for the noise since the three of them stay away after the initial interest.
Eartha Kitsch says
Dot: CindyD has the right idea. For some reason, Pip could care less about the Christmas trees (I am stunned) but we put bells all around the bottom so we can at least hear if she changes her tune and something is going down. : )
Maryanna says
I’m kind of amazed that my three cats don’t give a rip about the tree, either. We must be really lucky!
Dot says
Thanks for the ideas Eartha and CindyD, I have a 4 1/2 ft table top tree on my antique drysink. The bells probably make a prettier sound than the counter top motion sensor alarm I put next to the tree! 🙂
Nina462 says
Thanks Pam – I like how you mentioned the cornices & how the drapes, sheers protect against the cold breezes. As I mentioned way earlier this year regarding gettting new windows – if people only knew that they could prevent this by having sheers/drapes & maybe having the windows reglazed. So much simpler & less expensive than new windows. Original windows were meant to be repaired, not replaced 🙂
Love the interiors.
Judi says
So many variations in these photos, yet they are all great. I would love to celebrate a Christmas in Gavin’s living room. So lovely. My favorite detail from all of the photos is the icicles in photo #6. How I loved putting icicles on the tree back when I was a kid. But, I was glad they had gone out of style by the time I was a mom in the 80s, so I didn’t have to deal with the mess. The adult perspective certainly is different from the child’s.
Joe says
I just picked up a rotating AND musical tree stand. I just need to see if it will work with our Aluminum tree.
Jennifer Hibbard says
Thank you for featuring our home. We adore your blog!
More holiday decorating photos can be found on this post (so you can avoid having to read through all the vegan recipes. ha.):
http://hibbardkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/12/modern-holiday-decorating.html
🙂
Matt and Jenny Hibbard
pam kueber says
Jenny, the link within the post actually goes to your holiday page! Although I liked the vegan recipes, too. Great house! 🙂
Shane Walp says
I haven’t been able to submit! Is it closed??
pam kueber says
No, it’s open…
Shane Walp says
…and PS. I wish my home looked as good as these. I have a German Shepherd that sheds like crazy, a Beagle who is still chewing, and kids who don’t know how to clean up after themselves along with restoration of the bathroom and kitchen!
Valerie says
I can’t believe the trees in pictures 5 and 6 have the same skirt! The ornament print is pretty and festive. My tree skirt is plain green felt with plaid trim, simple and classic but it may be time for something more colorful…
Jukesgrrl says
My Mom had an apron made out of that exact same fabric with red ties. The perfect thing for the ’50s housewife entertaining at Christmas. I can see it in my mind’s eye tied on top of her good black sheath dress. Boat neck, three-quarter sleeves, body hugging lightweight wool with a couple of diagonally placed, satin-covered buttons. Perfect for Marilyn to wear to a funeral. I could bean her for some of the stuff she got rid of!
Eartha Kitsch says
Thanks for highlighting our living room! It’s the last one there with Pip, the cat taking a Winter hibernation. : ) That’s one of the things that I liked about the reader submissions – looking at each picture and if they were full room views, looking for decorating ideas!
pam kueber says
Thanks, Eartha. I’ll update it!