Retro Renovation

Remodel & decorate in Mid Century Style

Home / Readers and their...

Hillary’s glowy 1949 Tiffany blue living room

pam kueber - Updated: November 11, 2020

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

pretty blue wallsGolly, so many “epic” stories over the past few months (Kate and I are crankin’) that it seems like … we don’t just stop and look at one pretty room — one pretty paint color — anymore. Kind of, “stop and smell the roses.” Or: Stop and ogle the gorgeous Tiffany blue paint in Hillary’s living room. Hillary uploaded this photo in our recent festival of 176 reader fireplaces. She noted, cryptically, “Traditional FP in 1949 cottage – Hillary.” Oh Hillary, this room is so glowy! And see, everyone, how I always talk about the sun dappling through sheer curtains? Dappling! I am getting sheers for under my pinch pleats this year once and for all, that’s that. But Hill — may I call you Hill? — what is the paint brand and color — we must know. Yes, for now, I’m calling it Tiffany Blue — just like the Breakfast at Tiffany’s blue — what a wonderful mid century provenance that is.  And, umm, is that a real Saarinen womb chair? And is that your grandma’s sewing machine? Your two-tone color palette, rich noble woods, mix of modern and traditional — all laid on with a light touch… with restraint: Nicely done, grl. Now: What is the paint? xoxo

Reader Interactions

Comments are closed. 

53 comments

Comments

  1. Mike S says

    As a HUGE fan of Danish Modern furnishings, how was it that fringe and skirting made its way onto chairs and couches? A definite regression, if you ask me. 1949? Are you KIDDING me? I’ll take the design sensibilities of those days over anything made today. One word: RIGHTEOUS!

  2. Carole says

    I was surprised to read that the paint was applied so long ago. I thought I was the only one who lives with the same color for years! lol

    I tend to take forever to choose colors, but when I do, they’re mainstays. Not only do the colors remain in style (if you care about that sort of thing – which I don’t particularly), but they are colors I fall in love with and can’t imagine living without.

    A sign that you’ve done a good job choosing to begin with I think. 🙂

    It’s time to refresh the rooms in our home, and except for the living room which is going to change from blue to red, the rest of the rooms are going to repainted as close to the original color as possible.

    I love the room. It’s so restful.