Golden Era Home

[poetman]

I'm trying to set up my apartment with a real 40's feel. I want to fix my study first, then my living room, bedroom, and so on. However, I don't know where to start--especially for my study. I don't know what types of desks, bookcases, lamps, colors, accessories, and the same dilemna exists for the other rooms. Can anyone recommend a source--some color magazine or book that has pictures and information? How do you folks go about vintaging your home? Any advice is eagerly welcome. I'm a bit frustrated...feels like an uphill battle.

Thanks!

 

[LizzieMaine]

One really good, and usually affordable resource is old issues of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. This was a publication that was geared to real people -- the homes weren't fancied up a la House Beautiful -- and the articles and illustrations are full of really good advice on decorating and furnishing. There's loads of color pictures in each issue from the mid-thirties onward, and it's a really useful glimpse into the way ordinary Americans lived.

You can usually find them for cheap on eBay, and they'll often turn up at second-hand bookstores, and rarely cost more than a few dollars an issue.

 

[dhermann1]

Take your time!

What's your rush? Spend some time learning more about what you like. There are plenty of repro items, and plenty of just traditional designs and styles of everything from sofas to stoves, to kitchen utensiles, etc. Don't rush to get the first vintage style thing of this or that category, only to gind one later that you like better.
I, of course, am a big fan of old radios, so check out some of the websites with those. Nothing like a big old tube radio to give a place a vintage look.
Floor lamps can also give you that vintage look. Check out vintage fabrics for curtains. And a nice oriental rug! You can go TOTALLY crazy when you get into oriental rugs!

 

[Ada Veen]

here are pictures of the imperial war museum's 1940s house
http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/image_galleries/1940s_house_gallery.shtml. They spent ages getting the decor just right. Mind, it's a uk house so probably not as snazzy as an American one!

edit: fixed it!

 

[dhermann1]

The best portrayal of a 1940's home I've seen was in the movie "A Christmas Story". Aside from being hilarious, it's a wonderful evocation of the times. Oh yes, likewise Woody Allen's "Radio Days".
Edit: That BBC link seems broken. This one should work:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/yourlondon/1945/1940s_house.shtml

 

[Miss Neecerie]

There are also -many- threads on golden era homes here on the lounge...a search for vintage home brings up tons...

 

[panamag8or]

There are also -many- threads on golden era homes here on the lounge...a search for vintage home brings up tons...

He's new, Miss Neecerie... down, girl.


Poetman, here is a good site for all things vintage. Well, at least the way Madison Avenue saw it.
http://www.adclassix.com/

BTW: Where are you in Florida? There is talk of a Florida get-together.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

He's new, Miss Neecerie... down, girl.

Hey....I was nice...just making sure he knew we have some threads on it...I didnt even tell him -how- to search...

 

[Twitch]

Be sure and do wallpaper if your landlord will allow it. That will give it an old time feel no matter how little else you do.

 

[poetman]

He's new, Miss Neecerie... down, girl.


Poetman, here is a good site for all things vintage. Well, at least the way Madison Avenue saw it.
http://www.adclassix.com/

BTW: Where are you in Florida? There is talk of a Florida get-together.

Thanks for looking out! I'll check out that site. I really want to get my library together. I'm looking at 2 desks now. Do you think these have a vintage feel, or should I wait for something different? (The second one doesn't come with the chair.)

1)http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/...rrent=010103010303010408200708234a2614b0a.jpg


2)http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x314/Poetmandrums/?action=view&current=desk31.jpg

http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x314/Poetmandrums/?action=view&current=desk11.jpg


I like the finish of the last two, but I'm not sure how vintage it is. If not these, than what should I look for?

Thanks All!

PS I'm in Fort Myers but hope to be moving soon!

 

[dhermann1]

Both great

The first one is definitely a classic vintage era desk, looks like oak. It's really mainly a question of what kind of set up you prefer. Will you find the drawers useful,or do you like the uncluttered table that the other one gives you? You have the makings of a very nice vintage desk whichever you use. Overall, I'd say the first is more pre 1960, or even pre 1950, the mahogany is more contemporary.

 

[Miss Brill]

Go to eBay (or any bookseller site) & do a search for home economics books for the year you want. Usually they'll have patterns for curtains and how to do slipcovers, and other decorating tricks.

 

[Benny Holiday]

here are pictures of the imperial war museum's 1940s house
http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/image_galleries/1940s_house_gallery.shtml. They spent ages getting the decor just right. Mind, it's a uk house so probably not as snazzy as an American one!

edit: fixed it!

Heh heh - you can tell that wonderful house ain't in Sydney. Some scumbag developer would've knocked it down fifteen years ago for sure!

 

[Ryan]

Desk 1 is my choice. Looks like the desk a friend had. Story goes that his was out of some train station office plus he got the chair. Knowing I wanted his and he wouldnt sell it, I was able to find a desk like it on craigslist for 50 bucks. Great shape, solid oak, and dove tail construction on the drawers.