Creating your living time capsule

[PrettySquareGal]

I'm always working on kicking 2011 out of my house as much as I am able without sacrificing my sanity, health, budget or common sense. I find that the more I can create my own space based on mid-century ideals (even inching into the mid 70's is OK with me) and furnishings that my peace of mind and overall sense of well being greatly increases.

Can you relate to the idea that the more you can create a space for the time period that speaks to you, the better you feel?

 

[subject101]

Can you relate to the idea that the more you can create a space for the time period that speaks to you, the better you feel?

Absolutely. That's part of Feng Shui philosophy.

 

[bumphrey hogart]

For myself,it doesn't have to be as big a space as my home,though my better half works very hard creating a Georgian feel to our cottage. As long as my personal space,by which I mean my clothes and accoutrements have the right feel I'm satisfied.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I don't think I could stand to live in a modern-built house -- the whole flimsy feeling of wallboard, hollow-core doors, and particle-board cabinetry unsettles me, as does the general sterility of modern design. I go to places like that and I feel like I'm in a branch bank in a small town strip mall, and that's not a pleasant feeling.

 

[Amy Jeanne]

I don't think I could stand to live in a modern-built house -- the whole flimsy feeling of wallboard, hollow-core doors, and particle-board cabinetry unsettles me, as does the general sterility of modern design. I go to places like that and I feel like I'm in a branch bank in a small town strip mall, and that's not a pleasant feeling.

I feel the same. I refer to these types of haouses as "Pop-Up Houses" because the seem to POP UP overnight in any open field in New Jersey. lol

My building was built in 1926-29. Some of the walls are so hard we had trouble hammering in nails for simple photographs. Some of the walls are a little bowed and in one room the floor is uneven, but I like that. Gives it "old charm"!

As for decor, I'm a mix. I've got vintage-esque IKEA alongside real art moderne furniture from thrift shops. It works for me. No "country" decor for me. I've got quite a bit of kitsch, though. No bland colours either -- all bright colours, especially red!

 

[Dan'l]

I'm always working on kicking 2011 out of my house as much as I am able without sacrificing my sanity, health, budget or common sense. I find that the more I can create my own space based on mid-century ideals (even inching into the mid 70's is OK with me) and furnishings that my peace of mind and overall sense of well being greatly increases.

Can you relate to the idea that the more you can create a space for the time period that speaks to you, the better you feel?

Yep, that's the same story at my house. I would like people to see me or my house and feel like they're looking back into times past. I prefer furnishings and décor from the 1890's through the 1930's but will draw the line somewhere in the mid 70's I know that's a big time period there but the right pairings can work well.

 

[Feraud]

Can you relate to the idea that the more you can create a space for the time period that speaks to you, the better you feel?

It makes perfect sense to create a space that reflects who you are.
Too many people waste their time and money chasing McMansion dreams..

 

[PrettySquareGal]

It makes perfect sense to create a space that reflects who you are.
Too many people waste their time and money chasing McMansion dreams..

EXACTLY. And for a time, almost a decade ago, I suppressed that in favor of what I thought I "should" want. It's a nice feeling to not care what others think about my choice of home size, style and decor while being very content with what I have. I prefer smaller ranch home living quarters. It's not a "starter" home as some would think. A McMansion, to me, would not be "arriving." I love my 60's speckled kitchen counters. I'd find the finest granite to be depressing.

 

[PrettySquareGal]

Yep, that's the same story at my house. I would like people to see me or my house and feel like they're looking back into times past. I prefer furnishings and décor from the 1890's through the 1930's but will draw the line somewhere in the mid 70's I know that's a big time period there but the right pairings can work well.

I feel the same way. While I don't need people's approval I love it when they "get" it and really enjoy going back. More times than not I get a positive response along with people saying they feel very relaxed.

 

[dhermann1]

One reason I chose the apartment I live in now is the wonderful 1939 Streamline Moderne/ Deco style of the architecture of the building. And I've tried to make the inside of my place relfect that time period as much as is practicable. I saw a few post 60's places, with those low ceilings, cheesy parquet floors, and sterile white walls, and wanted to run away screaming (or rather actually retching).
The kitchen had just been redone, somewhat cheaply, but very contemporary, and that's my main project, to roll that back. But aside from the TV and other electronics, the rest of my place could pass for early 40's pretty well. I love it.

 

[subject101]

I don't think I could stand to live in a modern-built house

I first thought that I hated modern buildings because aesthetically they are horrible, specially inner spaces. Then I realized that modern houses and modern furniture make me feel sad, very sad.

 

[Feraud]

For at least the last dozen plus years my wife and I intentionally own one television and it is in the living room. No t.v. in the bedroom and none in my son's room.
People are shocked and ask how we manage to watch different programs. Their faces tend to go blank when I say, "we compromise..".

 

[LizzieMaine]

I first thought that I hated modern buildings because aesthetically they are horrible, specially inner spaces. Then I realized that modern houses and modern furniture make me feel sad, very sad.

Exactly. Part of it for me is the constant realization we live in an era where people don't even realize how cheap and shoddy the goods are they're being stuck with. And they wouldn't care even if they did realize it. The 21st Century is the ultimate triumph of marketing over substance, and I want as little to do with it as I possibly can.

 

[PrettySquareGal]

For at least the last dozen plus years my wife and I intentionally own one television and it is in the living room. No t.v. in the bedroom and none in my son's room.
People are shocked and ask how we manage to watch different programs. Their faces tend to go blank when I say, "we compromise..".

That is an example of how it's much deeper than things.

I don't have a dishwasher because the kitchen was built without one. I don't want one. Doing the dishes helps me unwind. I like the suds and the warm water. I don't buy that I'm not living green because there are two people in my household so to run a dishwasher daily would mean half full. Also, there isn't an old machine going in a landfill when it invariably breaks down. Hand washing soaps are more gentle than dishwasher detergents, generally.

I recently bought a Hula Hoop and laughed when I learned that some people use a virtual wii hoop. Not the same!

 

[bunnyb.gal]

For at least the last dozen plus years my wife and I intentionally own one television and it is in the living room. No t.v. in the bedroom and none in my son's room.
People are shocked and ask how we manage to watch different programs. Their faces tend to go blank when I say, "we compromise..".

I know some people who have an "idiot box" in both the kitchen and the living room, and aspire to have one in their bathroom, so they can watch it whilst bathing...Sheesh...

Exactly. Part of it for me is the constant realization we live in an era where people don't even realize how cheap and shoddy the goods are they're being stuck with. And they wouldn't care even if they did realize it. The 21st Century is the ultimate triumph of marketing over substance, and I want as little to do with it as I possibly can.

Bravo, so well said. I do wonder what the present generation is going to be able to hand down to their children, as most goods seem to be so badly crafted that they will have fallen apart long before the purchaser does!

I live in an Edwardian house and I try my best to surround myself with Art Deco style. When it comes to purchases, vintage over new wins hands down, and I do try to replace bit by bit new things in the house, no matter how small and insignificant, with vintage.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I couldn't agree more. My parents built their house 4 years ago, and it's probably the warmest of any newer house I've been in, mostly because it's the 'log cabin' feel.

We are developing a sub-division and our builder's houses all have that same bleak, vinyl-sided, plain white drywall, boring feel. My place was built at the turn of the century and was remodeled in the 60's. It works great for me. I have a ton of 50's and 60's furniture and household goods.

People don't get it either as far as the quality of vintage goods. My parents furniture they bought 10 years ago needs replacement already, their 10 year old dining set is worse for wear, and they've went through 4 living room TV sets since they gave me the console they bought in 87, which I watched the Super Bowl on last night without problems. The chair I sit in is from the late 1950s and like new, and my dining set is dated 1977 if memory serves and is just fine as well. Not to mention that I'm doing my bit for the environment, there's nothing new in my house besides the food!

I don't think I could stand to live in a modern-built house -- the whole flimsy feeling of wallboard, hollow-core doors, and particle-board cabinetry unsettles me, as does the general sterility of modern design. I go to places like that and I feel like I'm in a branch bank in a small town strip mall, and that's not a pleasant feeling.

 

[Dan'l]

... I do try to replace bit by bit new things in the house, no matter how small and insignificant, with vintage.

Agreed, and I would go as far to say that the little things make more of a significant change in the room(s) than is often realized. For example, a vintage living room set would certainly add to the "look" but the little vintage nic-nacs, or doilies setting under vintage pictures on an end table really give the feeling of looking into a time capsule.

 

[PrettySquareGal]

I have newer livingroom furniture (bought it before I really got into this). Eventually it will be replaced. The 50's magazine rack in my living room is filled with Life Magazines from the 50's. My three season sunroom is 100% vintage and my favorite place. It's filled with vintage games, paint-by-number kits, souvenir glasses, nick-knacks, radio, lighting, everything except for some shelving is pre 1960.

 

[Feraud]

I know some people who have an "idiot box" in both the kitchen and the living room, and aspire to have one in their bathroom, so they can watch it whilst bathing...Sheesh...

Right. I have a co-worker who brags about his brother's outdoor gazebo and the high def t.v. he has in it. God forbid people spend some time outdoors without their television...

 

[Dan'l]

Right. I have a co-worker who brags about his brother's outdoor gazebo and the high def t.v. he has in it. God forbid people spend some time outdoors without their television...

When I was a lad in the 70s I'd play out on the front porch while my parents sat in the front porch swing. They would say hello and make small talk with neighboors who were out for an evening walk. No television on the porch, no phone, no radio, just people.