Displaying posts labeled "Vintage"

House plants are becoming an all consuming passion of mine. I find myself dragging home little pots from the supermarket and losing myself in green envy just outside the hardware store. Today’s retro deliciousness is fitting then Interior Decorating with Plants, by Carla Wallach, Macmillan Publishing, New York, 1976. And please no comments on the phallic symbolism of that cactus in the bedroom!

Here’s my chance to woo you to my 1980s’ bandwagon. Children’s rooms, office space and storage. There are some very clever ideas here and with a colour tweak or a slight accessory change these rooms could be very now. See everything from the 80s wasn’t that bad! Except vertical blinds, too much knotty pine and those plastic door/drawer handles – I will never forgive who ever designed those. Now I just have to wait for power suits with shoulder pads and big big hair to come back and I’ll feel right at home. (Just kidding.) Once again and for the last time images come from Making the most of Bedrooms & Bathrooms, by Mary Gilliatt, Orbis Publishing, London, 1983.

Nothing dates a house more than an outmoded bathroom (that and an aging kitchen). I couldn’t resist posting these 80s bathing beauties. Come on! What’s not to love? In 25 words or less “Why I hate these rooms”. Your time starts now. Making the most of Bedrooms & Bathrooms, by Mary Gilliatt, Orbis Publishing, London, 1983 is the source.

… what were they thinking? A study in the bathroom? Forget the idea of a parents’ retreat, even a phone by the toilet or a TV above the bath. Is this taking it a bit far? The only person I know how corresponded from the bathroom met a sticky (or should that be soggy) end. I’ll be back with more retro bathing beauties from Making the most of Bedrooms & Bathrooms, by Mary Gilliatt, Orbis Publishing, London, 1983 later in the week.

Where oh where have the retro posts been? Simple answer – I ran out of retro books to plunder. I had to wait to the next big book fair to replenish my stocks. I got some goodies! I thought I’d start with everyone’s favourite era. Not the stylish sixties or the fabulous seventies. No the much maligned eighties. Kelly Wearstler is on the bandwagon. Is it time to join? Remember the chunky pine? The stencilled furniture? The lace and patchwork and dried flowers and Tiffany lamps? Padded bedding of all types and grey, grey and more grey (with lashings of salmon pink)? Bedrooms are the best area to start. Somewhere soothing to rest your head. Today’s book is Making the most of Bedrooms & Bathrooms, by Mary Gilliatt, Orbis Publishing, London,1983.