Home and Garden Decor…Its Come a LONG Way, Baby!
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How much of the interior decor, furniture, and lawn and garden ornaments from the 50’s and 60’s do you remember? You know, like pink and black tile in the bathroom, pink flamingos stickin’ up on the lawn, console stereos, and those chrome kitchen table and chair sets. What about those avocado green and harvest gold refrigerators, stoves, sinks, and, of course, sculptured carpet in the same colors from the 70’s? (Excuse me while I gag and s-s-s-hhh-i-i-i-vvv-e-e-e-rrrrrr…I never have taken to the harvest gold and avocado green colors.)
I don’t think I’ll ever forget the pink and black tile in the bathroom because it’s STILL in the home of one of my older family members. Believe it or not, it’s still in tip top condition. Come to think of it, this family member still has one of those console stereos and green, sculptured carpet in the living room, too. Kinda makes it easy to fall back a few years in time and relive my childhood when I visit this family member’s home.
If you’re longing to literally relive your childhood complete with chrome kitchen table and chairs and pink flamingos they’re still available at Amazon.com
One of my fondest memories is getting up at the crack of dawn at my Grandmother’s and gathering around the red and white formica topped and chrome plated kitchen table with other siblings and cousins also visiting to sip our kids version of coffee from a saucer. Amazon.com
I’d have to say home and garden design and decor has come a LONG way, wouldn’t you? It’s fun to be able to visit the homes of those that seem to stand still in time, but I don’t think I’ll be decorating my kitchen like Rachel Ray’s retro stage kitchen anytime soon. Please tell me you don’t want harvest gold or avocado green stuff in your house.
Popularity: 36% [?]
Hey, I really love old retro stuff and vintage furniture is one of my favorites. The old stuff was made well and lasts, not like the new cheap stuff.
Comment by Vintage Furniture — October 22, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
I do like the styles from before the early to mid-70’s. I just never have taken a liking to the avocado green or the harvest gold colors.
My favorite of older items is more of the things from the 50’s and earlier. The 60’s were ok, but took on the more modern look during that time. I prefer a warm inviting, cozy style myself.
Comment by angela — October 22, 2007 @ 11:52 pm
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Pingback by life48 » Blog Archive » Home and Garden Decor…Its Come a LONG Way, Baby! — November 4, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
I do feel nostalgic about that kind of stuff but only because of memories, I don’t think I’d like to add it in my place nowadays … at least most of them. Maybe if I’d see something very especial I would
Comment by Manolok - (DIY Decoration) — November 15, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
Pretty much my sentiments as well, Manolok. I enjoy the nostalgia from time to time, but wouldn’t want it in my living space daily.
Visited your bathroom remodeling site…good articles! Thanks for stopping by.
Comment by angela — November 15, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
Reading your post and the part of your grandmothers
kitchen table. Took me right back to the kitchen of my Aunt Alice. Thanks
Comment by Margie (Home Decor) Greco — December 12, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
Hi Margie! Happy to hear your mind was filled with pleasant memories while here.
My Grandmother’s table was the heart of my grandparent’s home which I’ve always considered to be my home, too. I have countless memories of happy times spent around that table with my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends.
Comment by angela — December 13, 2007 @ 12:51 am
I love vintage stuff and so do the newer generation - how much stuff from decades ago keeps resurfacing and being fashionable again? Good stuff never dates.
Comment by Sasha — December 22, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
Angela,
Thanks for reviving some age old memories of days gone by
I love the old stuff. It’s the best in my humble opinion. The home and garden decor of today is also good, but no match for the good old days!
Thx again and have a good one.
Stewart
Comment by Garden Decor People — December 31, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
Stewart, you’re very welcome. Glad to have provided some pleasurable thoughts for you.
Comment by angela — January 1, 2008 @ 11:51 pm
Cool, super cool. I found this by accident, call it serendipidy but I really am going to have so much fun with this. Seeing this reminded me of my grandmother who had two white ones in her front garden. Every now and again a car would be seen going past twice, slowing on the return trip. This gave me an idea, you see I live in an area popular with bird watchers, so, armed with my camcorder, I think it will be worth buying a flamingo.
Who knows as a landscape gardener one or two of my clients may also be interested.
Many, many thanks.
Comment by Landscape Gardener — January 17, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
It seems the more things change the more they stay the same, doesn’t it? I remember rocking on my grandma’s glider and falling asleep while a gentle breeze tickled my eyelashes. Now, I’ve got the same kinds of outdoor furniture in the back yard and the kids are using it just as I did!
Comment by Jayson — January 17, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
Ah yes, who can argue with the value of the plastic pink flamingo?
On a less “senior citizen” note however, there are many things that are making a comeback in their popularity.
What was once old, is new again.
Clawfoot tubs and pedestal sinks are becoming more and more popular in bathroom remodeling projects. I think there’s a big part of us that wants to hand onto our history, even though so much of our environment is all about what’s “new and improved”.
There has been a huge increase in bathroom remodels, and people just love the look of the clawfoot bathtub. They can instantly add a sense of historic style — and the bathroom design itself, doesn’t even need to be authentic vintage decor. It can blend with nearly any style you like — even modern.
Brent
Classic Clawfoot Tubs
Comment by Brent S. — January 17, 2008 @ 8:25 pm
I am a big fan of retro style. My apartment looks veru slick (well, to me at least
) Angela, great post here, just found it. Subscribing!
Comment by Jane G. — January 18, 2008 @ 10:34 am
I have a client whos entire interior is retro. The first thing I noticed was the carpet. While some elements may be appealing, it’s hard to understand why some were and still are.
My challenge as an exterior designer is to somehow make the outside of a home an extension of the inside. This has been an interesting lesson in plastics as I’ve looked into patio furniture from the era.
Thanks for the article. It gave me some insights in my studies. Love the blog. I’m sure I’ll be back.
Comment by Landscaping Man — January 19, 2008 @ 11:48 am
I’m about three year too old to be a Baby Boomer. Actually, I don’t fit with any “generation!” But, yes, I remember fondly all those colors in appliances. The worst was the turquoise. Maybe that’s before your time.
My mother even had to have a pink aluminum Christmas tree. Wish I had kept it since they are worth lots more now, just like so many other things we threw away–comic books by they hundreds!
Comment by Kathy — January 30, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
Hi Kathy! Turquoise…ah yes, I do remember. Lived in a mobile home when I first got married years ago that had all turquoise appliances, sinks, tub, toilet…how could I EVER forget with that much of it? LOL! I must say that at that time, I DID think it was a bright, cheery look anyway.
Visited your blog and saw the BEAUTIFUL pics of your place!
Comment by angela — January 31, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
Just found your post and I had to laugh since I heard that avocado green decor is making a come back.
We’ll see…
Comment by Jaki - inexpensive home decor — June 20, 2008 @ 11:43 pm
Nooooo not avocado green! Still colors in interior design as well as in fashion go in circles.
Comment by Iddy (Country Interior Design) — August 27, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
My mom always used to say these will come back in fashion one day as she refused to toss away those bell bottoms- lol. Guess that applies to furniture as well as I see retro styles coming back now but in cooler colors.
I remember that darned avocado fridge and stove too! Never knew just how bad they were till I fell in love with the stainless steel ones.
Comment by Pat — October 12, 2008 @ 10:39 pm
Kinda retro are the concrete kitchen counter tops I make. Believe it or not your ideas of color and surface and be produced in a VERY durable manner. I loved this article because it gave me design ideas.
Comment by Rob Wallace — February 16, 2009 @ 9:01 am