1920s apothecary opening-- design help needed

[KenCarsonCowgirl]

I was given the responsibility of designing a sign/logo and website (complete with style and color scheme) in the style of a 1920s pharmacy/apothecary for a store that is potentially opening next year (which will be era-correct as well). So, I need your help. What colors were in vogue back then for businesses? Red and white is more of a later retro vibe....maybe teal and cream?

I must admit to being more versed in 1940s styles than 20s. So I turn to the experts here for help. Any and all suggestions (and website inspiration) very much welcome!

 

[LizzieMaine]

We had an intact '20s-era drugstore in my town when I was growing up -- it had a lot of dark, varnished woodwork, white tiled walls and a floor made up of small black and white tiles. It was *NOT* that cliche-of-retroness black and white checkerboard tiles, but rather more of a mosaic pattern made up of small hexagons. The idea was to promote a medical style of antiseptic cleanliness.

The white walls had a yellowish cast, but I suspect that might have been tobacco smoke deposits from people smoking at the fountain/lunch counter.

Chain drugstores had their own color schemes. If you saw orange and blue everywhere, you knew you were in a Rexall.

 

[scotrace]

Why teal and cream?

I'm thinking red and white, black and white, bottle brown. Glass.

 

[KenCarsonCowgirl]

This is great. Thank you, all! I decided on a dark red/navy/mustard, sort of a rich color scheme, after researching the period. We'll see what comes of it. Maybe I'll be posting about the apothecary's grand opening in a year!

 

[Stanley Doble]

If you want to be really authentic specify zinc counter tops.

 

[cookie]

We had an intact '20s-era drugstore in my town when I was growing up -- it had a lot of dark, varnished woodwork, white tiled walls and a floor made up of small black and white tiles. It was *NOT* that cliche-of-retroness black and white checkerboard tiles, but rather more of a mosaic pattern made up of small hexagons. The idea was to promote a medical style of antiseptic cleanliness.

The white walls had a yellowish cast, but I suspect that might have been tobacco smoke deposits from people smoking at the fountain/lunch counter.

Chain drugstores had their own color schemes. If you saw orange and blue everywhere, you knew you were in a Rexall.

Lizzie that style of tile was very popular in bathrooms in 1920s Aussie California Bungalows...the basic 1920s-30s Aussie suburban home. They were often offset with a Greek key border. See below:

http://www.belmondotiles.com.au/sys...ek-Key-Border-with-extra-strip.gif?1320024224