Stiudo apartments. Need ideas on how to vintage-fy.

[MissNathalieVintage]

For me, it would all be Art Deco styling. I like the simplicity and streamlining of the 20s and 30s and my house is full of old Deco pieces. Wooster's apartment (from the series 'Jeeves and Wooster') is my ideal, except I would use some light duck-egg greens in walls etc. It's actually not unlike my place at the moment except I have lots of old Art Deco posters framed on the walls....then then again...it's not a studio apartment...but you the elements are still there and easy to use.

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The little comforter in the last photo is so pretty. I wonder where I might get one.

 

[MissNathalieVintage]

Oh, my yes. I am beaming over the kitchen photo. I am absolutely going to start with te kitchen. I can't afford to get a kitchen table so I bought 2 wooden fold up TV tray tables. http://www.furniturecreations.com/images/cst/CST4199.jpg and put a vinyl blue table cloth over it for the time being. I got kitchen curtains hung up. For now I only have the lower half up the valance for the top is much to high for me to reach so I left it off. I have vertical blinds in the window which I need to replace. The theme for my kitchen is Apples.

 

[MissNathalieVintage]

Sheeplady those a wonderful ideas. I am so excited. You are so right about accessories.
I am so picky about things that I have yet to buy furniture. I have only the important things. I have another TV tray table as my night stand. And these plastic gallon binds to store things in and use as side tables and stereo holder my step stool is holding up my TV VCR.
Bluebird thanks for the tips on how to add the fabric to things. I was about to ask that very question.

Now, back to the kitchen the photo lay out is almost the same as my kitchen. I absolutely can not wait to get rid of my dish rack. It takes up so much counter space I can't fit anything else up there. I noticed in vintage magazines & TV shows there was no dish rack at all. I always heard and saw when the actors did the dishes they would wash and dry each dish and put it away in the cupboard. Does anyone know why most kitchens these days have dish racks and how the came about?

 

[MissNathalieVintage]

I have a small bed side vintage AM radio don't remember what year it was listed as. Here is a picture of it. http://m253.photobucket.com/albums/...s/?action=view&current=IMG-20111218-00208.jpg it plays well.
Since WWII was mend and make do. I came up with a way to store my jewlery http://m253.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/katia357/Mobile Uploads/IMG-20111215-00178.jpg.html I knitted a large square and attached it to the hanger clips and hang it up on the closet door. I use a tin box to store other items.

 

[MissMittens]

For me, it would all be Art Deco styling. I like the simplicity and streamlining of the 20s and 30s and my house is full of old Deco pieces. Wooster's apartment (from the series 'Jeeves and Wooster') is my ideal, except I would use some light duck-egg greens in walls etc. It's actually not unlike my place at the moment except I have lots of old Art Deco posters framed on the walls....then then again...it's not a studio apartment...but you the elements are still there and easy to use.

Deco is the only way to go

 

[O2BSwank]

The best thing about a studio apartment is that you'll be able to make all the decorating decisions yourself. Live by yourself, live the way you want. Even though my wife really makes all the decisions about decor, I have been able to provide limited influence, not always to her approval. Enjoy it while you can.

 

[Shangas]

For me, it would all be Art Deco styling. I like the simplicity and streamlining of the 20s and 30s and my house is full of old Deco pieces. Wooster's apartment (from the series 'Jeeves and Wooster') is my ideal, except I would use some light duck-egg greens in walls etc. It's actually not unlike my place at the moment except I have lots of old Art Deco posters framed on the walls....then then again...it's not a studio apartment...but you the elements are still there and easy to use.

Bertie Wooster's apartment (or if you want something bigger, perhaps Poirot's apartment) are, in my mind, perfect models of how you can really Art-Deco-up a small home. They look so clean and elegant. I love art deco style.

 

[MissNathalieVintage]

Great, idea on turning the head boardless bed into a day bed with pillows. I offten thought about doing this. Alas my apartment is so small when I move the bed close to the wall it ends up blocking the entry way. So, the only spot that will fit my bed is next to two windows and a wall.

 

[sheeplady]

Now, back to the kitchen the photo lay out is almost the same as my kitchen. I absolutely can not wait to get rid of my dish rack. It takes up so much counter space I can't fit anything else up there. I noticed in vintage magazines & TV shows there was no dish rack at all. I always heard and saw when the actors did the dishes they would wash and dry each dish and put it away in the cupboard. Does anyone know why most kitchens these days have dish racks and how the came about?

Hrm, that's interesting. Most of the enameled kitchen sinks I've seen in townish and rural eras from the time period have a drainboard for the dishes (sloped part next to the basin) or are double basined. I think I've even see a double basin drainboard sink. So I would have assumed that they had dishracks, and I know I've seen them in pictures.

What you can do, if you have a dishwasher, is to put the dishes in the dishwasher to dry, leaving the door cracked. The other alternative if you want a dish rack is to get one of the little foldable wooden ones, and just let them airdry and pack it away as soon as you are done. You could even set it up under the sink or in a cabinet, and close the cabinet when not allowing things to air dry. But I *hate* drying dishes, so I'd do anything to get around drying them.

 

[MissNathalieVintage]

Brilliant idea Sheeplady.

 

[MissNathalieVintage]

I saw this really great book on using what you already have to decorate your home from small spaces to large spaces. http://www.amazon.com/Use-What-You-Have-Decorating/dp/0399144382

 

[MissNathalieVintage]

I am so excited I found ever so many 1940's items for my new and improved kitchen! Here are a couple of items I acquired so far.
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/...&current=KGrHqQOKi4E6fG-jd2BOv69qvRSw60_3.jpg
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/...w&current=KGrHqNHJCUE63u2ynBO6pzIT8kQ60_3.jpg
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/...w&current=KGrHqJHJBsE60e3tm7QBO4V8hTL60_3.jpg
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/...w&current=KGrHqJosE63YPzdvHBO4MgdJJ4w60_3.jpg
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/...w&current=KGrHqFn0E63WBU6nUBO4VTofCwQ60_3.jpg
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/...ew&current=KGrHqFlkE6BvYmTMBOniYvBG7w60_3.jpg
And I made my own no sew table cloth. Red and white gingham and trimmed the edegs with pinking shears.

 

[sheeplady]

Those are some nice finds for your kitchen!

Can you post pictures when you're done? I'm excited to see how you put everything together!

I thought of one other thing that would look wonderful in your kitchen: a Kit-Cat clock. http://www.kit-cat.com/

I got one last year and plan to put it in my kitchen when we are done remodeling/restoring it. I think they're adorable, but some don't. The new ones are battery operated and still made in America according to their website (which I assume means US). They are also quite small, so they wouldn't be too large for a studio kitchen.

 

[Flicka]

I'm giving my place a make-over too, and while not really vintage-y, I'm trying to incorporate some things from the eras I love. But if I had unlimited budget, I'd be all over Bertie's place. SO yummy!

 

[Flicka]

I've been back to this thread over and over to drool over the Wooster pics. Just decided that when I'm done with redoing my kitchen, I'm going to start moving towards that look. Let it take its time and start collecting things (and enlist the help of friends with driving licenses and cars, ha!).

Art déco things are surprisingly cheap here, while 60s things are ridiculously expensive.

 

[MissNathalieVintage]

Color me happy! Last week I happened to be a visiting a charity shop. While browsing around I spot a rocking chair that happened to be just my size. The price tag was for $45 and it was also on sale 40% off. I did a tiny dance and cheer and snapped it up right away. http://m253.photobucket.com/albumvi... Uploads/IMG-20120604-00091.jpg.html?newest=1 its so comfortable and in fantastic shape.

 

[ThemThereEyes]

I am so excited I found ever so many 1940's items for my new and improved kitchen! Here are a couple of items I acquired so far.
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/...&current=KGrHqQOKi4E6fG-jd2BOv69qvRSw60_3.jpg
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/...w&current=KGrHqNHJCUE63u2ynBO6pzIT8kQ60_3.jpg
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/...w&current=KGrHqJHJBsE60e3tm7QBO4V8hTL60_3.jpg
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/...w&current=KGrHqJosE63YPzdvHBO4MgdJJ4w60_3.jpg
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/...w&current=KGrHqFn0E63WBU6nUBO4VTofCwQ60_3.jpg
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/...ew&current=KGrHqFlkE6BvYmTMBOniYvBG7w60_3.jpg
And I made my own no sew table cloth. Red and white gingham and trimmed the edegs with pinking shears.

I love them. Especially the sweet little strawberries pattern!