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Saturday, December 8, 2007

The Retro Look

This year, I discovered the Amazon.com wishlist. What a wonderful influence this has had on my Christmas! I felt a bit strange creating the wish list, as it felt like I was asking for specific presents (which I was), but as the boxes from Amazon keep arriving for my family, I am so glad I did it. My children are getting so many wonderful books for Christmas instead of the usual assortment of toys that end up cluttering up the playroom.

Anyway, as I was 'researching' books to put on the list, I read a fair number of reviews on the latest design books out there. One review in particular has stayed on my mind, and I wanted to share it with you:

A review of the book John Fowler: Prince of Decorators, by John Witherspoon (the caps are his, not mine, sorry about that)

STUNNING-STUNNING-STUNNING!!!!! (5 stars out of 5)

November 24, 2007

OH, HOW I WISH TODAYS "INTERIOR DESIGN" GRADUATES AND MANY PRACTITIONER'S COULD OWN THIS BOOK AND DEVOUR ALL THE PHOTOS FOR THEIR CLASSIC BEAUTY!! THIS WAY THEY WILL KNOW WHAT GOOD DESIGN IS. THE INTERIORS DO STAND THE TEST OF TIME AND WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO LIVE...IN THIS DAY AND AGE IT IS ALMOST UNAFFORDABLE ON A LARGE SCALE TO DUPLICATE WHAT GENIUS JOHN FOWLER DID. IT CAN BE DONE ON A SMALLER SCALE.

RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME WE LIVE IN AN ERA OF THAT HORRIBLE 50'S 60'S AND 70'S MODERN, WHICH IS SO COLD AND UNINTERESTING; AND LIKE A JACK DENST WALLCOVERING,THE LOOK IS DATED IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.

EVENTUALLY THE PENDULUM WILL SWING BACK TO GOOD DECORATING; WITH WARMTH. I WISH WE COULD GET BACK TO REALLY BEAUTIFUL DECORATING AND STOP THIS MADNESS OF PROMOTING TARGET AND WALMART CHEAPNESS.

JUST THROWING A BUNCH OF "STUFF" TOGETHER WITHOUT A PLAN AND A COMMON DENOMINATOR DOES NOT MAKE SENSE..THERE ARE TOO MANY SO CALLED "STARS" OF THE TV WORLD THAT PROMOTE BAD DESIGN AND DO NOT REALIZE THEY ARE MISGUIDING THE PUBLIC. THEY ARE JUST IN IT TO MAKE THEMSELVES FAMOUS....RIDICULOUS!!!

I do not know 'John Witherspoon', but I think his comments are very interesting. In fact, they remind me of something that I read in an interview with one of my decorating heroes, Kerry Joyce:
Another new trend that should be avoided is the '60s-retro-ugly-is-beautiful look. This may work for fashion (which is temporary fleeting), but if you dress your home that way your investment may be poorly spent. You may find yourself purchasing a new set of furniture in the near future. (Kerry Joyce)

I think that decorating is a personal reflection of a person's tastes, and if someone loves the retro look, great. I personally do not love it. I do not like to post negative critiques of designers work, mainly because it is rude, but also because I am not an expert on design. However, there have been some homes featured recently in Domino and other magazines that definitely make me wonder how they will hold up over time. I wonder if they will even hold up over 10 years!

What do you think about the 50s/60s/70s style comeback? Will it stand the test of time, or will be a trend that has its moment (again) then fade away in favor of the next trend in design?
(Edit: check out the comments section, there are some very interesting observations and comments on retro and trends in design! Thanks everyone!)

21 comments:

  1. I think things are swinging back a bit already. My NYC friend, whose finger is certainly on the pulse, is integrating older pieces with his vintage. I think the whole revisiting of the retro was a way to bring it in to the vocabulary - instead of just a stand-alone look.

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  2. Great way to look at it, Mrs. B. I remember seeing a house done by Suzanne Kasler, and most of the house was very tasteful, but she did the basement entirely with a retro theme. I loved the house, hated the basement. I do not like it when someone tries to recreate an entire look from the 50s-70s, but appreciate a touch here and there.

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  3. I quite like the retro look -- especially the lamps, graphic design, fabrics, wallpaper, etc. But, I wouldn't put it throughout an entire home unless asked to do so -- just here and there or in one particular room.

    TTI, I responded to your furniture comment on my blog. And thanks for popping by!

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  4. God, I hate retro. And I agree with this reviewer completely. I was born in 1954 and grew up in the 60s in a contemporary house. we had an original tulip table with the matching chairs. I just can't go back there with the huge lamps and all. I like to look at Nancy Lancaster's book and see designs from 80 years ago that look like today. To me, that's real design, style, not this retro groove thing. That's why the whole AD vs. Domino mag was such a joke imo. No one with any taste would actually think Domino has better interiors than AD. Yes, for a college student or a first house on a budget, but not for a person who has the means to have a beautiful house.

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  5. What a thought provoking post, it gets to the core of my favourite obsession -- defining elegance. Thanks.

    Taste is subjective. But I believe that empirical (can't think of a better word) beauty does exist. With that disclaimer...

    I like the idea of incorporating pieces that you love into the whole. We, for instance, love art deco, but our furnishings are anything but strict. I think a home should reflect more of your personality than a whole "scheme." Sort of like the idea of sending home pieces from the Grand Tour, your decor should be inspired by that of many places and eras to create a harmonious whole.

    Will a strict 60s, or 50s or 70s look hold up? None of those interiors seemed to have made it intact thus far without looking dated... Was it Wilde who said that fashion is something so awful we have to change it once a season?

    As with classic clothing the difference between fashionable and stylish is monumental. But then, I'm a neophyte when it comes to design.

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  6. A very interesting and thought-provoking post . . . as with buying art, the golden rule is to buy what you like--meaning that it may work to use a few, well-chosen retro pieces, but outfitting an entire room in a retro theme like it came out of a 60's time warp simply because "retro is in" may not stand the test of time . . .

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  7. This subject is a source of endless debate at my house. I personally prefer a mix that is heavy on traditional antiques, contemporary art and just an accent of modern furniture. The challenge is to take my favorite pieces from different eras and combine them in a way that fits the architecture of my house and my personality.

    I love looking at old David Hicks photos and seeing a Louis XV chair next to a modern, chrome Warren Platner table. Domino seems to be one of the only magazines that is providing a fresh take on this look, though sometimes the job is better done than others.

    Interesting topic. I am enjoying reading the responses.

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  8. This is interesting. As with most things, real quality will always stand the test of time. The mass produced dross will always be consigned to the scrap heap. Unfortunately, the momentary scrap heap appears to be the homes of the dull and the tasteless who are desperate to appear different (all the while being exactly like their friends).

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  9. I love all of the thoughtful and well written responses. This is why I enjoy the design blog community...none of my friends in Atlanta would have any interest in this discussion!

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  10. I often think about my Grandmother's home when I wonder what looks will stand the test of time. She loves French antiques, and went on frequent buying trips to NYC when she built her dream home in the 60s. Her home today remains classic and timeless.

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  11. That's a fabulous question. I have never been a fan of that era, but have recently discovered some awesome designers working in the 50's - 70's whose work is quite classic and I think would stand the test of time. It depends on the materials used and the designer's style I guess. If you take a look at some of Barbara Barry's and Kelly Hoppen's latest furniture collections you can see there is more of a mid-century (rather than early for Barry)inspiration. It is a period, I think, that will probably come back in and out of fashion just because it was so specific in its look. But whether or not it would last if done today...not sure. I'll be interested to see whether some of Kelly Wearstler's interiors still look hip in 10 years!

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  12. Suzy-

    You are right, quite a few designers have pieces in their furniture collection that are influenced by some of the designs of this era. Baker Furniture has just come out with an entire line called Lexicon that is mid-century influenced.

    I have never really been a Wearstler fan, but I think her work is interesting. It is interesting that much of her work is for hotels, which will probably be redecorating in 10 years anyway! She can be edgier with her recommendations given this fact.

    SCJ

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  13. Great discussion. I talked a bit about this in one of my earlier blogs, although not as intelligently as some of the other commenters here! I, too, think the retro look is drifting towards becoming integrated into an overall mix of styles and eras, rather than a total overload of one. I'm not a fan of 50s-70s as I lived through that and now find it mostly pretty ugly. Younger people seem to want to revisit it, as it is new to them and seems anti-establishment.
    You have to admire Jonathan Adler for his business and marketing savvy, but his interiors are quite unappealing to me. And I love Kelly Wearstler's take on drama, but hope, as she matures, she will burn out on the retro pieces & colors and move over to the more traditional/contemporary mix.

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  14. I'm not personally a big fan of a lot of the "new retro" interiors I see, but there are some exceptions. I tend to like it best when it's clean and when it's sincere. I have a friend who generally decorates in a more retro/mod style, but it's very fresh and clean. She also mixes in the occasional African accessory, a reference to her childhood in South Africa. The results are phenomenal...cozy and stylish. But I think it works because the interior is a true reflection of her personality. So many times I see these interiors and they seem forced...as if the person is trying too hard to be chic or cool, and it falls flat. I don't know if that makes sense.

    BTW, I am an Amazon Ho! I should put in a plug for Amazon Prime membership. We just renewed ours last month. You pay $75 or $80 and then you get unlimited 2-day shipping on most items for an entire year. It pretty much pays for itself at Christmas, and then the rest of the year you can send books, music, movies to friends and family. Nowadays if it's Tuesday and I think I want a new DVD for the weekend, I just go on Amazon, order it, and it's at my door in 2 days and the shipping has already been paid for. Okay...enough of a plug, but I just love it.

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  15. PS--I want to add a caveat...I think ANY decor falls flat if it's not a true representation of the personalities of the people who live there. That is why I absolutely detest model homes. They may be pretty, but they generally have no soul.

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  16. Apartment Therapy had a contest not too long ago and just about every single entry was mid-century modern. One entry was very classic and many of the readers slammed the design. The funny thing is, this was the only one that was contacted by O magazine. Here is a link to the discussion?

    http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/decor/msg1120481720432.html

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  17. Thanks for the comments, everyone!

    Amber, I love Amazon Prime! Worth every penny. I just realized last week that you could send gifts and it counts under prime...I wish I knew that before!

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  18. Anon- just checked out the thread on magnaverde. Very interesting debate! Obviously a lot of people on the Apartment Therapy site do not like the classic style at all. Taste in decor is definitely seems to be something that polarizes people.

    I remember (many years ago) when I did not like Veranda very much because it featured too many modern spaces (oh, my tastes have changed quite a bit since then!). Now, I have an appreciation for both classic and modern, but do not have a big love for retro in big doses.

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  19. Wow, this has been a really great topic of discussion. I think history tends to repeat itself. I think mid-century modern appeals to many people today because of the way it can blend with modern interiors. Personally, one of my favorite eras is Hollywood Regency because of it's blend of different styles. I like to mix old and new pieces and I Love tufted furniture. I definitely agree that I would never be able to do a totally retro look - that would be too much - like living in a time warp...I also find it too cool and cold of a feeling - not cozy at all.

    Amazon is one of my vices where a lot of my $$ go to my habit ^_^

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  20. Dear things - I so agree. I am an antiques lover at heart & I tell hubbie - go for the antiques my love, spend a bit more - they will never date. It doesnt help tho - being the daughter of an antique dealer!!! :-) Tho I know that you wouldn't necesssarily know that by looking at my home at the mo:-)

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  21. I love the clean look and idea of 50s-70s retro, but for a family it's completely unrealistic.

    Unless you have unlimited funds and can toss your furniture and home on a whim I would avoid decorating in this style.

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