50s Housekeeping and Decor Books?

[NoirDame]

Hi there loungers...

I searched the threads and didn't find anything and all I could find on Amazon were the out of print Retro series.

I have decided to 'crack down' around here on clutter and lack of a pleasant living space. Even though I feel the 50s home can be a lofty ideal in today's busy world, it will inspire me to keep going.

I'm trying to put an end to the fast food as much as possible, too, but I did find the thread on cooking.

Thank you!

 

[Lola Getz]

Hi NoirDame,
I have similar goals to yours. I've redone the decor of my kitchen so that it is more 50's (although not as splendidly as some vintage inspired kitchens I've seen peeks of here) and I'm looking for books also. I hope someone has some suggestions for us!

 

[Miss Neecerie]

My suggestion is going to be ebay...for magazines.

Good Housekeeping, etc.

Thrift stores might also have stashes of them...I get the most interesting books at thrift stores.


Edited to add...

Also try local small libraries...their books tend to be out of date a bit...so might have some older housekeeping books...

 

[Liz]

I have lots of Better Homes and Gardens magazines from the '50s, and I find those to be a great inspiration. Most of the modern books I've seen tend to be too self-consciously hip and kitschy for my tastes.

 

[Amy Jeanne]

I agree with the above. Get the real deal. I have a huge vintage magazine collection and I got almost all of them from ebay. They ALWAYS have all kinds of vintage mags there.

 

[NoirDame]

Thank you!

 

[Sweet Leilani]

I have a couple period books on 50s decor. The most interesting and useful one is probably Better Homes & Gardens Interior Decorating. I imagine it's a complitation of their magazine articles, but better organized around themes (teenager's rooms was a big one if I recall). BH&G can be a bit fussy though- you won't find much 50s modern there. It's more traditional and has a lot of the faux Colonial style that was popular in the 50s.

Another good source is Sunset Magazine if you're more into relaxed style. Again, not super-modern, but closer. If you can find the reprint of their Western Ranch Houses book (Restoration Hardware had it several years ago) it's closer to what we think of as "50's style".

I haven't looked into it, but I imagine some period architectural magazines would probably have more articles on some of the European designers of the time- like Saarinen, Eames, etc.

 

[Lola Getz]

Thanks for all the suggestions!