Upon the most recent celebration of our American Independence, I learned that there is now a design trend called “Bicentennial Chic.” This amuses me to no end. Bicentennial Chic seems to me to be a lovely bit of wordsmithing meant to upmarket “1970s Early American” decor and fashion. Not that I am opposed, whatsoever. If it’s design done well, it’s design done well, an American Eagle by any other name would look so grand, and all that, you know. So how to define “Bicentennial Chic”? I could not find an official definition online, so, calling upon my own experience including the fact that I LIVED THROUGH IT THE FIRST TIME, let’s take a look at this what’s-old-always-comes-back-again trend. Above: Vintage Ethan Allen catalog edition 70 from the 1970s, from my personal collection.
What is Bicentennial Chic?
Seems like first and foremost, Bicentennial Chic would most precisely refer to any circa-mid-1970s decor or fashion that includes patriotic American iconography. Yes: Put an Eagle on it, to start. That said, I’ll further broaden “Bicentennial Chic” to include any combination of mid-1970s furniture and decor that gets the colors, scale, patterns, furniture and accessories “right” in evoking a Granny Ranch — circa-mid-70s, of course!
Motifs appropriated into Bicentennial Chic decor celebrating this era would include Early American / Colonial American:
- Soldiers and horses…
- Emblems, flags, the Liberty Bell…
- Spice racks, weathervanes, maize…
- Butter churns and crocks and the like turned into table lamps…
- Spinning wheels plopped into your living room as art…
- Oxen yokes turned into mirrors…
- Braided rugs…
- … Lotsa anything you could imagine the original Patriots having in their homes and lives, but served up as Art.
The colors of Bicentennial Chic: Red, white and blue color schemes — but not just….
… I’d also include the prevalent decorating colors of the day — the lovely avocado greens, harvest golds, rusty reds and oranges and rich browns and coppertones. These colors would have been even more popular among accessories and fabrics to decorate the home.
Metal finishes: Antique brass, pewter, copper and wrought iron.
Crewel: Erica Wilson was going strong in the mid-70s.
Wallpaper: Heck to the yeah, here’s where you see Bicentennial Chic at its very finest.
Architectural forebear: Royal Barry Wills. I repeat: The most influential residential architect of the 20th century — and unless you are a longtime reader of this blog (and why aren’t you, pray tell?) you probably never heard of him. His influence was immense, and is still apparent today.
Furniture: Ethan Allen absolutely epitomizes this look! I own several vintage Ethan Allen catalogs. They are marvels. For this story, I went through Edition #70 to find some telling examples. I am not sure of the year of this issue. But I know it’s pre-1979, because I have a later edition that includes that date.
I found plenty of examples in the wonderful Ethan Allen catalog that show us how to pull together a Bicentennial Chic interior. Beautiful rooms!
There were many decorating Colonial Revivals in American history…
But here’s the thing: I’m not sure that I can really see much of a fine line between what might be called “true” circa-1976 “Bicentennial Chic” and plain old Early American decor, which had been popular already throughout the mid-century period. In my first story on Early American decor, which I wrote in 2009, I found an academic source which discussed the first Colonial Revival in America. This first revival spanned 1890-1940, it said.
However, from what I’ve seen in American homes and marketing material, the Revival continued pretty darn strong all the way into the 1970s. In fact, call it “Colonial*” or “Early American*” (*I know that I am throwing these terms around very cavalierly; of course, collectors of true antiquities can discern keen differences among the many years of early American design history) … change the wallpaper and the upholstery schemes… but this American traditional style seems to have been in style throughout most of American history.
I’m thinking it really didn’t fall from favor until — ironically — after the 1976 bicentennial, when I’m thinkin’ people just topped out. And of course, the marketeers wanted to dissatisfy us with what we had and sell us something new. Seriously, by the 1979 Ethan Allen catalog, I’m not seeing a single cast iron eagle anywhere in sight. Duck decoys and ceramic chickens are creeping in, and I am just not ready for the small-flower-prints-on-pastel-fields upholstery and wallpaper yet. But no eagles.
So here we are… it took 40 years of visual recovery… and now we are ready to smile again at Bicentennial Chic.
What does Bicentennial Chic look like?
I would think that today’s “Bicentennial Chic” “should” not be subdued — it “should” be eye-popping, much like the 1970s take on the style. Well done, today’s Bicentennial Chic “should” combine lots of color, pattern, contrast, layers and line, pushing right up to that fine line between “genius” and “tacky” then backing off a wee bit to be sure to end up in “genius.” Of course, I put “should” into quotation marks because what the heck do I know, I only learned about this like four days ago. And besides, you can do whatever you like, it’s your retro flashback.
In the 1970s, Colonial Revival interiors got pretty darn bold, it seems. The portrayal of the emblems of colonial America were even heading toward “camp”, in the sense that we already had Andy Warhol showing us how to take bits of American pop culture and make them into art. That said, I’m gonna say the mass of mainstream middle-class Americans who embraced 1970s Colonial Revival styles and decorated their homes thus, did so with zero irony, no tongue-in-cheek at all. They lived through the privations of World War II and took their American iconography very seriously. So even though it’s tempting to look at these 1970s interiors and maybe giggle, at some of them, I ain’t gonna. This was just another style, and style is just fashion, and we’re susceptible to its siren song, to some degree or another. And, these rooms — in the Ethan Allen catalog, in particular — are really put together well! So they get my respect, for sure..
Early American / Colonial Revival decor: I would say it was the single longest running style trend in 20th century America. Way more popular than mid-century modern.
Why is Bicentennial Chic chic again today?
Oh, those wacky youngsters. When what’s hot (mid-century modern and high style Steampunk, today) gets too hot and therefore out of their financial reach, they look for style where others aren’t. They put their own no-baggage eyes on stuff with low price tags, snap up deals at estate sales and thrift shops and grandma’s house, give their new found vintage treasures a fun new name — “Hey, let’s call it Bicentennial Chic,” tee hee — and before you know it, newly made knock-offs begin appearing in the furniture catalogs we get in the mail.For sure, you can find all the elements of Bicentennial Chic locally, vintage. But for fun, I also jumped over to Ethan Allen’s website to see whether they still had anything to fit the trend. Today, Ethan Allen is most certainly marketing to the large, mainstream market. But, I found a few things that might fit the Bicentennial Chic groove…. For example, I love their Quincy bed, above. This modern take showcases the delicious lines of Early American furniture. This bed comes in a number of colors — you can even get it in aqua!
Above: Ethan Allen Deep Profile Classic Mirror.
And this might be one of the most timeless table lamp designs ever — Porcelain Ginger Jar table lamp, Ethan Allen.
It always happens: What’s old becomes new again. Heck to the yeah to Bicentennial Chic! Now, I am going to look for my calico maxi dress. I’m pretty sure I saved it. Rock on.
- Also see my story: Renovating 1970s houses — the next big thing
Diane says
I think that July 4th 2026, which will be the 250th Independence Day, might usher in another revival of Colonial style. We’ll wait and see.
Bea says
Thanks for this very interesting post and comments. I have lived in Philladelphia (Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross and all the colonial historics sites that go with those). I have lived and worked in Washington Dc/Virgina side (George Washington, George Mason, Mt Vernon and colonial homes) and Charlottesville Virginia (Jefferson, Madison,Monroe and all the homes they lived in plus I walk past Albemarle Court where they practiced law everyday). No wonder I am fond of Colonial Revival and love Frank Lloyd Wright and all things modern..including mid century.
Price says
Thank you, thank you for profiling what I believe is the next big thing. If you had told me five years ago that fake-Early American would become my look I would have said you were crazy. It all started when I began decorating a large kitchen in an 1880’s era apartment. I had no money so I decided to go with woven baskets and copper pots scattered around the walls. A look that was very popular when I was a child, and not popular now. As a result baskets and copper are in abundance in the thrift shops. Then came the maple liquor cabinet with a copper top and it was all over. Now all my furniture is maple…Windsor chairs, fake butter-churn with butterflies, Betsy Ross Avon plates, tons of pewter, liberty bells, brass eagles, Paul Revere wallpaper, and my favorite: A fancy Arabesque resin clock that has a fake carved panel depicting the signing of The Declaration of Independence. I absolutely love this look even though my friends joke and ask me what I did with the little old granny who lived here. But I ask you, what’s more comfy and cozy than grandma’s house?
TerriLynn says
I was born in 1970, so I dont remember it being popular during my childhood as I was awfully young. However, my dad was a single dad so most of what we had was “well loved” and I remember having either a mattress with that bicentennial pattern or wallpaper in my bedroom, I cant remember exactly but it was one or the other. I think I was in the 6-8 year range.
Jay says
Well, I heard it here first – “Bicentennial Chic”. I never would have made any connection. I just knew that in the 70s, Early American was very popular. It still is here in PA with its preponderance of houses that predate the Revolution. In 76 the state ceded control of Valley Forge and it entered the NPS. I graduated high school in 76 and we were given tassels that were red, white and blue with a 76 charm on it.
One thing to be said of the furniture and accessories back then was it was solid stuff (all wood, no particle board and not made overseas). My parents actually had MCM furniture then but neighbors and a family friend redecorated in Early American. Ethan Allen seemed to be the market leader when others were going Mediteranean or Contemporary.
Items like Windsor chairs and benches (an American design) are timeless and fit any decor and house style.
Enjoyed this post and the comments.
pam kueber says
I see Early American style furniture at estate sales in Pittsfield – the next big town over from me — all the time. The dressers go for a ridiculously cheap amount of money — and they are built so well.
I graduated high school in ’77. All my bedroom furniture was Early American, very classic traditional American stuff. My mom still has it all — the stuff was built to last. The finishes were extraordinarily durable and became even more beautiful over time, too.
Joe in Nash says
For about 25 years now, I have been saying that Early American will be the next big trend. There is plenty of quality furniture out there, especially at estate sales. It is usually very affordable generally well constructed. Thanks for the validation.
LB says
My aunt and uncle built a house in a new subdivision in the Milwaukee suburbs in 1975. Their kitchen floor was a sheet vinyl embossed with tiles of the liberty bell, flags and “1776”. It was a gold/brown colorway that blended with the harvest gold appliances. They just ripped it out 7 years ago when they updated the house to sell it. The rest of the house didn’t have much Bicentennial chic, though.
My mom used a floral red, white and blue fabric with a crewel look to recover the barstool and chair cushions in our family room in 1975. She also made pinch pleats with that fabric for the sliding patio doors. I was in junior high and had to write an essay on “The Sprit of ’76”. I won some kind of certificate from that (of course it was red, white and blue with a big eagle on it!). My mom framed it and hung it over the fireplace in the family room.
I have a Better Homes and Gardens magazine from March 1941 that has an ad for Armstrong linoleum on the inside front cover. There’s a color picture of an entry hall with blue linoleum with a circle of white stars inlaid in it. The walls are painted red below a chair rail and white above, and the ceiling is blue. I’ll try to scan it and send it to Pam (the pages are 10 x 13!
pam kueber says
Oh my word, I want to see that vinyl flooring!!!!!!
LB says
I scanned it and have a JPEG to send you…..just sent you a message!
virginia says
I graduated from college in 1977. I was given four Hitchcock Harvest Black Fan Top dining chairs by my father at the time, which I ended up pairing for many years with an old square golden-brown Formica family-restaurant table inherited from my brother, who found it on the curb in New Haven. Complete with four purse hooks underneath the table top. Bicentennial style meets the diner. They were perfect together.
All of this brings back a lot of memories. Amazing Ethan Allen catalogs you have in your collection. A little bit of this style goes a long way with me but I do have a few pieces along these lines, given to me by my family.
A classic Hitchcock rocking chair shown in photo number 5 in the amazing red white and blue living room.
Jay says
Lucky you! Hitchcock chairs are timeless and epitomize the Early American look but blend well with other styles.
Dana says
Was the HW line called “Colony?”
pam kueber says
See photo #9 in the gallery here!!! –> https://retrorenovation.com/2009/05/26/20-kitchens-bathrooms-and-bedrooms-from-1949/
Kathy Merchant says
Wow, I’ve been waiting forever for Early American to come back into fashion! I love Ethan Allen furniture for the quality and timeless look. When I find a piece of hard rock maple in a thrift store/garage sale I can’t believe anyone wouldn’t want to keep it! I cringe when people paint chalk paint on lovely EA stuff on pinterest. 🙁
Also, Keller furniture which I think is out of Canada (?) made hard rock maple Early American stuff in the mid 60’s called Old Capital II. I have a beautiful hutch from them.
I grew up with my Mom’s passion for Early American in the 70’s too. I remember braided rugs and hurricane lamps but also copper tea kettles, bed warmers, pewter dishes (just snagged some at a garage sale! Yeah!), brass sconces, eagles light switch plates, faked foam made beamed ceilings in rec room, cast iron Ben Franklin wood burning stove and yes, Pam, I still have the crewel yarn work I did in the 70’s too! Let’s see some retro ren fans Early Am as a downloader some weekend!
pam kueber says
This reminds me: Heywood Wakefield made a lot of Early American style furniture. Appropriate, as they were based in Gardner, Mass.
Jay says
Oh yes, yesterday I was looking at a 1954 copy of American Home magazine and there was an ad for the HW furniture depicting an Early American style; I was surprised.
Janet in ME says
My dad would take a day to go to Gardner to pick up loads of furniture and I loved to go with him in the furniture van. I can name all the companies up there and in surrounding towns. Heywood-Wakefield was the most well-known with Temple-Stuart close behind; both made quality maple. Lesser known companies were George Bent, who made the stenciled accessories like muffin stands and knitting boxes and such, Hartshorn who specialized in bookcases and end tables in birch and for many years made the wood arm settees, S.Bent who made dining room, and E.R.Buck in nearby Clinton who made dining room also. Some others out of that area were Hale of Vermont who made quality maple, and a little company that was owned by elderly ladies, called Van Stee, was operating in Jamestown NY in the eighties the last I remember, and was the only company still making 3/4 beds! And of course there was Tell City in Indiana, who made that hard rock maple that lasts forever. But Gardner called themselves the “Furniture Center of the USA”. Unfortunately, almost all if not all of these companies are gone now. I do remember them fondly; quality made furniture was the rule in New England.
pam kueber says
Wow, thanks for the history! Did your dad own a furniture store?
Janet in ME says
Yes he did. I know up in the attic there were dozens of old catalogs of contemporary furniture that he carried in the late fifties and early sixties which I sure wish I had now. And it was around 2000 when we cleaned all the fabric samples out of there that my mother saved. Some were the eagle type colonial prints, they were so old, and were probably put there in 1963 when they moved out of the old building. I even have a complete cut and sewn cover in one of those prints, for a wood arm chair! I just couldn’t throw that away! I could write a book on all the old companies and the deep sadness we felt when they folded up.
Anne-Marie says
I love it! My own little bicentennial treasure? I found a six pack of 1976 mason jars in a junk shop. The have 1776 on top, the liberty bell in the middle and 1976 on bottom. We drank lemonade out of them over the weekend. Fun!
Great post. Thanks for putting this all together.