The Green Room Interiors Chattanooga, TN Interior Decorator Designer: Design Deja-vu

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Happy August, kids! If your idea of a good time is driving from one estate sale to another in the summer heat, then you would have loved my weekend! The only problem was everything I wanted was either already sold or more than I wanted to pay. Luckily, I found these incredible vintage decorating books - the one on top was published in 1965 and the Better Homes book was pubilshed in 1975.

After browsing through these books a half a dozen times, I'm convinced that there's nothing really "new" in design. And I'm not saying that's a bad thing - I think it just shows that great design is timeless, and doesn't have to be "new & improved." I have some images to share with you that are out of these mid-century books that are completely relevant (although some might say redundant) to where we are today! These images are crude, the pictures in the books were very small, and I took them with my point and shoot.

This image is from the 1975 BH&G book. What about that wallpaper? And that fresh green and white color scheme? It's good, right?

Oversize paper lantern, (did they have Ikea and Pier 1 back then?) coffee table, painted parsons desk, turquoise and green color scheme.

Yep, that's a ceramic garden stool and lots of Asian-inspired/Chinoiserie accents. Red lacquer lampshade.

Asian screen, painted coffee table, mix of furniture styles.

Horizontal stripes, black & white color scheme with a single accent color.

Gallery walls

Can you see that this room was done by Dorothy Draper? Would you make any changes nearly 50 years later?

Don't get me started on this one. Bri, I'm sure there's a project for you based on that wallpaper. You can do it at my house :)

Okay, so what do you think? I've read on several different blogs that certain design elements (like Chevron patterns, gallery walls, painted furniture and ceramic garden stools) are "over". Do these 50-year old images prove them wrong?

Need some help pulling your style together? Kim Lemmon can make your home a beautiful place to be! Call 423.653.3186 for details.

16 comments:

The Vintique Object said...: Incredibly timeless. I think, as you said, good design is good design. As for trends, people change as times change. We all love to tweak our decor -- I think it's good thing -- as long as we are investing in large pieces that are timeless. Like the camelback sofa!
Camille; July 31, 2011 at 8:31 PM
My Many Moments said...: I totally agree with Camille! And who says the trends are out?! I think it is up to you to make that decision in your own home. Trust your eye. Great photos!; July 31, 2011 at 9:14 PM
anita said...: what a great find; those books are awesome.
when i was little, we painted my desk that exact shade of green! it was shiny, glossy lime green. I wonder what ever happened to that desk...; August 1, 2011 at 4:48 AM
Anne-Marie @ 10 Rooms said...: I think trends always go in cycles, but if you use what you love then your home will always make YOU happy, and that's kind of the point, isn't it?; August 1, 2011 at 5:39 AM
Dayka Robinson said...: i LOVE a good vintage interior design book!such a great find, kim. :)

dayka; August 1, 2011 at 6:53 AM
amber wallace said...: I love these old books everyone has been finding lately. Isn't it crazy how nothing is new!?; August 1, 2011 at 7:06 AM
Ashley said...: Trends, shmends. Clearly, good design is timeless. And certain elements (chevron, gallery walls, etc.) transcend time when done in a modern and unique way. I LOVE the green and turquoise room--it looks straight out of Coastal Living!; August 1, 2011 at 7:15 AM
Stacy CUrran said...: Kim, this is a truly amazing post! I guess we all hear that trends come and go, but I've never seen a post that actually proves that timeless design exists, and that maybe there is nothing new after all! this was fascinating. I think you should make it a weekly/monthly feature! Loved this post
Stacy; August 1, 2011 at 7:50 AM
SHERRY HART said...: Incredible!!! The word timeless...has meaning.....and those pictures prove it! Thanks for reminding us.....; August 1, 2011 at 7:59 AM
Dovecote Decor said...: Love those swinging 60's!
Best,
Liz; August 1, 2011 at 8:31 AM
Heidi said...: What's "over" is allowing someone else to tell you that instead of living with what you love, you should make another choice. Take care of what you have, update it with textiles and paint from time-to-time and you're good to go. (And chevron is EVERYWHERE right now!); August 1, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Kendall said...: I think the word "trendy" is a little silly. Everyone's comments are spot-on. If you love it, do it.

Also, are you going to the BIG yardsale this weekend?? I'm thinking about driving down but not sure yet!; August 1, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Annie Wilcox Designs said...: I need you to give me a boost, I find that I don't jump on trends or perhaps I just know what I like. You could let me know where I am in the design world. I love the fresh greens as always, good books to live by.; August 2, 2011 at 5:38 PM
Interior Design Musings said...: ok, i'm totally shocking by how current these rooms look. It feels like we are in that cycle of everything old is new again. Loved this post!!! M.; August 3, 2011 at 5:59 AM
Splendid Sass said...: Another great find, Kim! They say that history repeats itself.
Thank you for sharing and have a great day.
Teresa
xoxo; August 3, 2011 at 8:28 AM
Hyphen Interiors said...: That is way fun to see! Thanks for sharing.; August 6, 2011 at 4:47 PM