A contemporary black 60s kitchen with a number of wide-open spaces became more intimate and more restful when lined with subtly glowing color.
Vintage homes & gardens
The restful core of this vintage 1960s house was the gorgeous skylighted atrium family room, which gave the whole house a sense of spaciousness.
As charmingly retro as they seem, small striped outdoor tents (also called palmetto or lawn tents) were nothing new in the 1960s and 1970s — in fact, they have been used for centuries.
A room to relax in, to revel in, to play games in – when have we had a room precisely for that? This 1960s party room could do all that and more.
This vintage study’s boho decor included at least eight different styles – and that’s not even to mention the designs featured on the area rugs on the floor.
This dramatic circular kitchen, inspired perhaps by contemporary theatres in the round, was a superb example of a smoothly-functioning kitchen back when it was built in 1968.
While the structure of the room remained the same, right down to the black ceiling beams and trim. The furniture placement also didn’t change for this retro living room’s decorative mood switch.
Since modern and space-age decor is timeless, you’ll find these acrylic chairs are still in production! We’ve featured 14 of our favorites that you can find on sale today.
Having trouble figuring out the best colors for a dining room? We have some ideas for you, based on some great vintage home decor styles.
This wonderful antique wooden screen, made of five panels of very old French boiserie, dominated – and warmed – one side of this living room back in the 1960s.
If you love the mid-century style, or want to re-create that beautiful vintage backyard feel, get 47 of the best old-fashioned patio, deck & porch ideas here for a little retro inspo.
Built in a style that was super popular at the time, the midcentury stone fireplace didn’t appear overpowering, thanks to the lofty ceiling and extensive glass areas above it and on the sides.
During the height of milk glass popularity (it was a must-have in American homes from the 1920s through the 50s), 90 percent of Westmoreland’s production was the famous white glassware – and they made a lot of it.
Here’s an inviting vintage boho-style tented nook that was created almost entirely with patterned fabrics and carpeting.
Once reserved for luxury backdrops, in the sixties, it wasn’t uncommon for fine eighteenth-century furniture to be set against walls of rough countryish texture. Here’s a look.
It’s a great idea to replace your vintage Corelle patterns like these with more modern and safer versions. We curated this great collection of modern-day Corelle dishware that has that retro style!
We remember getting drinks in glass tumblers that looked a lot more interesting than many of the plain drinking glasses you see today. We found these fantastic vintage-style (but brand-new) glassware sets you can get now! Check them out here.
With clean lines and gentle curves, the minimalistic mid-century modern chair will never go out of style. Make a decor statement with one of these mid-century modern armchair styles you can buy now!
Square and triangle patterned panels on the left wall of this retro geometric room inspired the fantastic color scheme that filled the rest of the walls.
Jutting out from the corner wall of this cool, contemporary living room was a fireplace and chimney of very neatly laid natural grey stone.
The white brick fireplace effectively divided the living room from the dining room without obstructing the flow of traffic. It was massive, but the overall spaciousness of the combined areas kept it in scale with the rest of the house.
This large two-sided stone fireplace was perfect for its setting – the double-duty living room of a home in Lake Tahoe, seen here as it was back in the early 1960s.
In this kids’ bedroom from the mid-60s, a brilliant boho-style wallpaper in watermelon shades of pink and green enchantingly decorated this cozy boho bed alcove.
A medley of the multiple variations of yellow-green was captured in a patterned print and used extensively in this 1960s green paisley living room.
A small white birch tree was brought inside to live in a planter on this elevated and carpeted indoor terrace – a peaceful, pretty and very retro addition to a home that was decorated in the mid-1960s.
When this Northern California home was renovated and redecorated back in the mid-1960s, the owners added a charming circular stone fire pit right in the middle of the room.
A contemporary overscaled paisley pattern splashed with lotus blossoms was a vital part of this 1960s home’s colorfully eclectic dining room decor.
In this 1960s brown living room, the sweeping impact of the carpet made a neutral monochromatic color scheme come alive – and set the decorating mood of the entire room.
Stylized blossoms centered in twined hearts – in fabric form – swept over walls, bedspreads, curtains, and window shades in this pretty 1960s dormer bedroom.
When decorating this spectacularly pink living room back in 1969, the interior designers said that one of the most effective and most versatile was to apply color in the form of a pattern.
Near the very contemporary and quite airy white fireplace, there were charming bursts of bright color from the pair of yellow modern chairs and the royal blue stool.
Wallpaper with an open mesh wicker weave pattern of yellow on white covered the walls, and established the basis of the warm country-style bathroom decor.
The freshness of growing plants and striped shades on this peppermint-striped sun porch created a relaxing view from a simple but formal dining room.
In this mirror wall kitchen from the 1960s, the reflective doors at the end of the room opened to reveal major storage – a full-height pantry or a great place to keep glassware.
This dining room had contemporary decor with old Persian style, as it was decorated in a vintage Arabesque design in reds, browns, oranges and yellows, spiked with blue.
Spirits soared as high as the tall ceiling when entering this spring-bright midcentury modern living room — the tall glass gables made it bright and airy all year round.
First of all, there was the focal point of this stylish contemporary 1960s living room: the stone fireplace wall with floor-to-ceiling plants growing on either side of the hearth.
A frame of sunshine colors softened the view of the sliding glass doors in this poolside party room without impeding either the view or traffic to the terrace.
A two-sided stone fireplace sat between this renovated home’s solarium and game room. It featured a modern style molded plaster hood, and an elevated round marble hearth.
This cozy retro carpeted conversation pit with comfortable built-in sofas drew party guests irresistibly toward the hearth of this dramatic living room from the 60s.
To make this roof-high fieldstone fireplace look as if it had always been there, during the home’s renovation in the 60s, it was constructed of the same material as the tall old walls.
With just a travertine-topped table, four chairs, a four-door cabinet, and two daybeds, the designer of this vintage 1960s beachside living room achieved a look of remarkable opulence.
Drapes, sheers and aluminum window blinds were the window treatment trends of the 60s and 70s, but some people got way more creative. Get some inspiration from this unique mid-century window decor.
This large master bedroom from the 1960s was decorated with several spirited colors, and had as its centerpiece a beautiful hot pink chaise lounge.
Brown was considered a popular midcentury modern color, so Bloomingdale’s put together this contemporary 1960s living room decor that made the most of the rich tone.
A hot orange color was used full force in this 1960s living room, where color spotlighted the fireplace and set off the accessories above the mantel.
This mid century modern dinette set was from around the time when mod design became widely available with a range of colors and shapes, and was much more affordable than before.
In this calming and serene green retreat from the 60s, the furniture was traditional rather than modern — overstuffed armchairs, graceful antique tables of dark wood, a crystal chandelier.
From the vermillion living room to the elegant foyer, this 1960s New York home had played-to-the-hilt, marvelously uninhibited color.
More than just a place to sleep, this mid-century contemporary bedroom from 1967 had a wide view, thanks to a wall of glass that ran from floor to ceiling.
This vibrantly colored dining room from the sixties was arranged into a diamond shape by an unusual screen made of linked aluminum strips.
A lively white and poppy red print called “Provincial” diminished the bad points of an awkward space when it was converted into this fab family room back in the early 1960s.
Two vintage bamboo screens worked together to create a feature wall for this 1960s dining room – and in the process, covered up a window with no view to speak of.
In this radiant 1960s yellow dining room, the largest areas of color fell in two unexpected places to create a flood of sunshine distilled by two different versions of the color, Goldfinch and Lemon Peel.
For this kitchen from the late sixties, the typical style was replaced with fresh green and white swappable cabinet decor, inspired by Florida’s lush landscape.
This Early American-themed powder room, seen here as it was back in 1966, showed how wallpaper could be used in truly creative ways that went far beyond the usual.
The upward sweep of this ocean view living room was shaped by red laminated wood beams that curved up to disappear into the vortex of the skylighted cupola.
This gorgeous living room full of exotic color could have come out of a Venetian palazzo, with tall shutters, bold shades and a creative style.
Seen here after it was remodeled in 1965, this pumpkin orange kitchen also had a vintage black and white checkerboard pattern of vinyl floor tiles.
When choosing how to accent this small yellow, green & orange bedroom with a single bed, the designers kept it simple by using a bright color scheme, and look that had a bit of a Southwestern flavor.
On one side of a vintage living room from 1965 was this charming little garden view dining area. Take a look!
In this living room from the 60s, striped wallpaper and stylish home decor created an entry hall out of a plain wall area. Here’s how!
This kitchen stands out with its custom peninsula-style mix-bake center, offering everything from space to store and stir, to a cool white marble inset that’s perfect for rolling out dough.
This 1960s living room made from a terrace space was filled with bold contrasting animal print patterns that filled nearly every surface, but combined to create a luxuriously exotic tent-like atmosphere.
With the help of an interior decorator back in 1969, this psychedelic bathroom was transformed, by wallpaper and indoor-outdoor carpeting, into a trippy glory of patterned color.
This silvery and shiny bathroom decor from 1969 was once an interior designer’s concept of the ultimate in contemporary bathrooms.
There was nothing run of the mill about the decor of this unusual and enchanting modern living room. Here’s a look!
A thick shag area rug sparked the spring-summer mood of the entire green dining nook, creating the kind of fabulously retro room you don’t see much today.
Positioned below a low ceiling’s white beams and planks, the triangular fireplace opening gave this home’s bohemian living room an eyecatching look.
In this upbeat and friendly midcentury family room, multi-colored vinyl tile squares laid in a random pattern on the floor provided the fireworks.
As seen back in 1967, this cool white apartment decor had decor that was crisp and invigorating – with bursts of yellow and green to warm it up.
The terraced family room was a tall recreation space that was really several rooms in one – a room for partying as well as family living.
The main working area in this bright and bold blueberry blue was designed to handle everything from a toasted cheese sandwich for one to a buffet dinner for fifty.
This colorful 1960s dining room for two took its inspiration from the brilliant shades woven into the wavy striped area rug.
A fresh pattern on the wall – like this black & white wallpaper – works bigger decorating wonders than almost anything else you can do.
With the help of a daring, creative design team – and using nothing but fabric, paint, wallpaper, and pizazz – this dull old space was transformed into a comfy & colorful dining room.
The color in this bedroom’s fanciful canopy-like trellis over the bed repeated the spectacular colors and shapes found in the large-scale floral patterned wallpaper.
Totally carpeted in monochrome beige, this 1960s sunken living room conversation pit in a New York apartment living room provided a cloverleaf well of seating.
This dusky blue mid century kitchen didn’t just look pretty. When it was built in the mid-1960s, it offered the most modern home conveniences available at the time.
If you’re looking to make a bedroom look a little retro, take a look at these DIY headboards with a vintage look! They may be just the inspiration you need for some old-fashioned home decor.
What’s the difference between linoleum and vinyl flooring? Although we often use these terms interchangeably, linoleum and vinyl are actually two distinctly different flooring products.
Flash back to 1960 with the Scholz Mark 60, a prefab mid-century modern home! From the blue bathroom to the wooden wall paneling, every inch of this house screams retro
From those using flamboyant fabrics to the more sedate styles, here you can peek inside houses from back to the sixties and check out these once-fashionable retro curtains & drapes!
The history of fitted sheets: A revolution in bed-making A lot of people may be surprised to know that fitted sheets — ones that weren’t
Remember apple head dolls – the early American craft with folk art roots that became popular again in the ’60s and ’70s? Find out how to make these shrunken apple dolls, and more about the art of dollmaking.
The best way to gift-wrap a bulky or odd-shaped kitchen appliance or utensil is – don’t! Give it a fanciful shape, instead – with Christmas paper, ribbons, ornaments and more.
When you were a kid, there was nothing else like the joy of old-fashioned treehouses or forts: a little getaway that you built (maybe with some help) that could be a clubhouse or castle or spaceship or simply a place for a little peace and quiet.
Based on one of the many traditional needlework crafts, these vintage needlepoint designs might just inspire you to get creative in all-new ways!
This vintage mid-century modern model home – the House & Garden magazine Hallmark House for 1963 – offered nearly 5000 square feet of beautiful 60s style.
Vintage Fenton glass – candy dishes, bowls, vases, lamps, baskets and more – came in milk glass and in radiant colors.
How were the most with-it interior design experts decorating kitchens back in the sixties? Here, see many different vintage 1960s kitchen tile designs, colors and styles.
Practical ideas to help you plan small gardens of your own – a quiet, refreshing area close to your house where you can enjoy the plants and flowers you love!
This mid-century modern home design was created for a busy family of five, and in addition to the spacious floorplan, it glows with light, from huge windows and stunning clerestories.
Forget white or stainless steel – these colorful vintage kitchen sinks came in bright and bold colors like red, orange, green, yellow and more!
If you look back at old home photos and these vintage sculptured and textured carpets were seen – three-dimensional carved or twisted patterns – you can pretty much bet you’re looking at decor from the middle of the 20th century.
What better use to make of those big, clumsy cartons that once held ar new refrigerator or range? Make a fun toyland for the kids with these creative DIY cardboard box fort & playhouse ideas!
Samuel Colt’s Connecticut mansion also known as Armsmear, was built on a huge plot of land owned by the inventor of the famous gun. See what this grand and spacious Victorian home was like in its heyday!
See how branded freebies worked back in the day, when a few box tops and a buck could get you real swag by mail.
