This charming upper-middle-class home – a vintage ’70s designer dream house in Denver – was compact and neatly designed, the surfaces were hardy, the wallpapers were bold… and the style was so very seventies.
dining room
Why stop with the walls when decorating your home when you can add color and flair up high? Here are some retro examples of ceiling wallpaper – and even some old tips on how to do it.
The A-frame house design is a tried and true style, and was especially popular for second homes and vacation cabins in the ’60s. See several retro A-frames here!
With a little thought and care – plus the inspiration of these lush holiday table settings of yore – you can create unforgettably nostalgic Christmas table settings that will be remembered for years to come.
Want to host a throwback celebration, with ideas straight out of the early 1900s? Here’s a menu describing each of the fourteen courses served at a formal dinner party, plus other hosting tips for an event with true Edwardian style.
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 minimalist dining room’s furniture was designed by mid-century modern architect T H Robsjohn-Gibbings, one of the major influencers of the contemporary era.
In this dramatic vintage 1930s dining room , the eyecatching starburst stripes of the silver and black linoleum flooring led outward, while the hint of a garden outside the window led still outward to more open space.
Instead of a separate dining room, this late 60s home in Northern California had a classically-styled yellow dining area that was part of a large open-plan living space.
A simple decorative feature – a dining room’s mirrored wall – didn’t just add luster and elegance, but also helped fool the eye to make it look like a smaller space was really a lot larger.
This dining room from the early 1950s, skipped the traditional decor, and instead had low furniture that kept everyone grounded.
This fresh eat-in kitchen decor scheme was zesty yet peaceful, and made the most of a small space by using cantilevered booth seats with a small table.
This vibrantly colored dining room from the sixties was arranged into a diamond shape by an unusual screen made of linked aluminum strips.
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.
A room like this midcentury dining room, where you could eat in casual connection with the outdoors, underlined the biggest advantages of the relaxed suburban 1950s lifestyle.
In this elegant 1950s dining room, a classical antique style is used throughout — with just a few touches of more typical fifties flair.
Chairs lacquered in silver, floors with a shiny silver wash, and crystalline glints of glass accentuated this lively dark green dining room from the early 70s.
A wall of books in this retro dining room library created a warm mood. But what was even more eye-catching than the books? The blue and white canopy hung over the table.
French countryside furnishings, gleaming copper pots, and exposed stained beams on the emerald green ceiling all contribute to the friendly feeling of this rustic retro kitchen from the 60s.
Have a peek inside one of the private dining rooms at the Cosmopolitan Club in New York City, as seen back in the 1930s.
This charming 1940s dining room owed much of its smartness and originality to the dramatic floor in a Chinese fret design, with a center section of black Marbelle.
This deep blue dining room decor, with its navy blue walls, blue ceramic tile floor and shiny round royal blue table, had an effect that was somehow both dramatic and calming.
The soaring height of this tall mid century dining room brought light and air to both the main floor as well as to the upper level.
In this gorgeous country-style dining room, the trestle table and ladderback chairs perfectly enhanced the charm of this mullioned window, and took advantage of a beautiful garden view.
The walls of a 1950s buffet/bar area were finished with flat walnut paneling. Here’s how the designers created this dining area’s real midcentury modern 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.
Beautiful wood ceilings, cabinetry and trim – all with the natural grain shining through – helped define the color scheme and midcentury feel of this 1950s dining area.
This colorful 1960s dining room for two took its inspiration from the brilliant shades woven into the wavy striped area rug.
Porch dining – well, almost! A cheerful wallpaper mural gave this eating area off the kitchen an outdoor feeling, and the charm of a Parisian sidewalk cafe.
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.
In the early 1970s, an architect designed this dining room for a serene and luxurious city apartment, transforming the original rectangular shape with curving walls.
When the sun was shining and glimmering off the beaded glass curtains in this arched window, it almost looked like the entrance to a magical place.
This space-saving DIY kitchen divider was good for two reasons: it added a bright personal touch that every home needed, and it wouldn’t make a large dent in your budget.
Learn how to macrame with the 70s technique to create vintage-style projects – a macrame plant hanger, a belt, basket-style coasters and a macrame owl.
Mid century modern kitchens were super trendy back in the 1950s! Women years ago loved their pink home decor.
The White House in the early 1900s showed off President Teddy Roosevelt’s renovations, updating it for the 20th century. Here’s a look back at the mansion, inside and out, in high-resolution photos, plus detailed descriptions of the rooms.
Want to see what some 1950s home decor looked like? We’ve collected more than 140 mid century wallpaper samples, from classic to kitsch, and everything in between.
If you’re buying a 1950s house, already live in one, or want to see how new suburban homes were designed back in the ‘Leave it to Beaver’ era, see some fantastic ’50s house plans here!
This gigantic collection of vintage wall paneling from mid-century (and beyond) makes for a surprisingly delightful scroll down nostalgia lane!
These vintage dining room sets from the 40s & 50s – bright, cheerful & compact dinettes – were the perfect fit for small post-war houses. Take a look!
Crystal chandeliers have been a symbol of luxury and opulence since the 18th century. If you’re wondering what crystal chandeliers used to look like, take a peek below at these vintage photos!
Take a seat and look back at these vintage 1960s chairs that used to fill homes – with styles ranging from the minimalist mid-century modern styles to the living room chairs with bold colors and patterns.
What was Walter Matthau’s house like back in the ’70s? His wife Carol said that they gave it a country look and country feeling. Take a peek inside!
What were hostesses with the mostesses setting up on dining tables 40+ years ago? Here’s a look back at some beautiful vintage ’70s table setting ideas!
This vintage mid-century modern model home – the House & Garden magazine Hallmark House for 1963 – offered nearly 5000 square feet of beautiful 60s style.
What were popular ’50s floors like? They might have bold stripes, checkerboard squares, or many other classic and creative ideas. Take a look back!
Here’s a look back at 100 years of vintage Fostoria glass – from candelabra to stemware, in clear crystal or a rainbow of colorful hues – that people have been using and collecting for generations.
We have heard Mathis’ voice for years – but who’s the man behind that rich, smooth sound? Find out more about this extraordinarily talented singer here, and see Johnny Mathis as he lived in his Hollywood home back in the 1970s.
Where do wine glasses go? How many forks should be set out on the table – and what’s the difference between them? What about a bread plate? Find out how to set a formal dinner table the proper old-fashioned way with these tips from 100 years ago.
Here, check out 22 vintage kitchen design ideas – from funky fridges to creative cabinetry – plus other retro appliances and home decor we don’t see very often nowadays!
