The word "retro" is called any thing that was relevant in the past, but does not fit into the realities of our time. There is another concept - vintage. They are often confused in colloquial speech, although they are similar, but not identical. Retro (from lat. "Back") is considered an abstract designation of old things and those objects that were artificially aged. There are no time limits for referral. The age of such things can be both 30 and 60 years. The word vintage means only genuine, cult objects (usually in the fashion world) that have become a real symbol of an entire era. Their age, as a rule, does not exceed 25-30 years. For example, plastic earrings and leggings of acid shades are vintage things of the 80s. The retro trend includes vintage, as a component of the trend-driven trend. Religious things cannot organically fit into the present if they did not become popular again.Retro style is out of fashion, the true value of old details is precisely at their age. Antiques play a special role in this direction - it has become one of the basic elements. Retro style in the interior, as well as in fashion, will appeal to true connoisseurs of beauty. In the article, we will talk about how to decorate the house with your own hands in an original way and at the same time convey the unique spirit of the chosen era.
Although antique furniture and decor details were used in different eras, the beginning of the 50s is considered to be the official “date” of the retro's birth. It was during this post-war period that enormous changes took place in design. In parallel with the economic recovery, designers sought to get rid of dullness and routine, to find new ideas and solutions, so that interiors would cheer people up and encourage them to work. From the 50s, the countdown of the epochs (usually 10 years each) begins, which appear in the history of retrostyle as separate milestones. The post-war years are always taken for the zero coordinate. There are common characteristics that are characteristic only of retro:
Antique furniture. It can be not only an expensive auction lot, but also an old grandmother's suite for a living room or a cupboard for a kitchen. Moreover, the safety of furniture does not matter. If the cabinet is polished and looks like brand new, this does not mean that it is not suitable for decorating an apartment and you do not need to age it purposefully. The main thing is that the furniture reflects the features of the era. In any case, it has its own special "history".The task of the designer is to make the furniture “speak” to maintain the atmosphere of retro romance.
The use of imitations in materials. The 50s were a turning point when new, inexpensive materials began to appear that replaced durable wood, stone or brick.
Rich colors in detail. Perhaps this was the first alarm bell for the classical style, as its dominant brown and pastel colors faded into the background when bright colors burst into the interiors with a fresh wind.
Each era is characterized by special elements, tones, textures, but we will talk about this later.
The color scheme of the past
Since the retro style does not depend on fashion, but on time, it does not have common color standards. For example, these days, popular such "tasty" colors like mustard, mint, olive, peach. In the 50s, bright shades were in demand: turquoise, red, green, yellow. Plain fabrics in those days were not used. For this era, combinations with floral ornaments, peas, flowers and a "rustic" cage are relevant. As a background, calm tones were chosen: white, shades of brown, pastel colors. Restraint and laconicism in the palette did not give up "without a fight." In the 60s, background tones became calmer, more muffled, but vivid prints appeared that were characteristic of “flower children”. By the 70s, the palette had changed again, giving preference to gold and shades of brown, against which red, yellow, purple, green, blue geometric patterns looked advantageous.
Retro style furniture
Furniture is a key aspect in retrospect. It must correspond to the chosen era, so they are very responsible for the choice. Even if the right furniture is placed in a room with the usual decoration for our time, it will supersede the spirit of modernity due to its dominant flavor. In addition to traditional elements, professionals are advised to use unusual details that will become a “highlight”.For example, a chair in the shape of a blossoming flower bud, original backs of chairs, carved facades of cabinets or a dressing table with an oval mirror. Suitable furniture can be easily purchased at flea markets selling antiques. You can find a chest of drawers or a bedside table in the grandmother's attic. They are ennobled with the help of varnish, paint, sandpaper, with the help of which the characteristic scuffs “from time to time” are added. Decoupage technique has become popular in our time, when drawings are transferred to the surface of cabinets, cabinets, cupboards. Drawings can also be added using stencils that are sold in specialized stores. For the interiors of the 50s, massive, angular furniture is chosen. For the era of the 60s, rational solutions that take up less space, but still do not differ in increased comfort, are suitable. To create the aesthetics of the 70s, compact, functional, cozy furniture of original forms is used.
For furniture from any retro era, the legs are elegantly shaped and made of either wood or metal.
Materials and methods for decorating rooms
To finish the surfaces of the room, simple materials are chosen. In this regard, the retro style is unpretentious and dispenses with the vagaries, such as the modern eco-direction. The decoration is dominated by wood. If we are talking about a later retro, then they use plastic, which at that time was at the top of popularity due to its cheapness and affordability.
Walls and ceiling
The ceiling is plastered or planked. The surface of the tree is polished and painted in the desired colors. In small rooms it is not recommended to experiment with bright prints and rich colors, as they land the ceiling. For wall decoration use fabric wallpaper. The pattern on their surface can be very different: from a simple floral ornament to complex ornate patterns. The second option will be painting the walls. In this case, combinations of up to five colors are possible.They can be both bright and muffled. In modern interiors, stylized retro, often use brickwork. This typical Loftian element does not correspond to the era, but paradoxically organically merges into the atmosphere of the 50s.
Floor
A laminate of light shades is suitable for fabric wallpaper. If the walls are painted, then it is better to use a parquet board or linoleum with a "chess" pattern. The modern bulk floor is suitable only for the style of the extravagant 80s. The kitchen uses a durable tile. A mandatory element on the floor is a round carpet with a short pile. Its color is selected in such a way that it is in harmony with the walls and furniture.
Accessories and decor
Decor, as you know, is glossy in the room. The retro style used an abundance of decorations that enlivened the atmosphere and made it more fun. Colorful curtains made of light fabrics should be present in any room. Also, the interior is necessarily decorated with many family photos and an abundance of books. The latter is desirable to use not only for decoration, but also in order to enrich their knowledge. In the textile, chintz and cotton prevail. Tables are covered with striped tablecloths, a cage or mischievous peas. The original design move will be wall decoration with signs and posters with pin-up images of girls. The kitchen uses bright dishes. Do not shun retro and vases, caskets, mirrors, floor lamps with unusual shades. Among the materials for decor, cast iron and wood are the leaders.
Retro from different decades
For three decades (from the 50s to the 70s), the style has undergone changes in which one can find reflection of changes in the way of life of the average person and his tastes. It all started with rigorous settings, where echoes of the classical style were traced. Gradually, the interiors changed beyond recognition and reflected the chaotic time in anticipation of the "fashionable" revolution of the 80s, which subsequently led to modern styles. The retro era has become an intermediate option, a design “buffer zone” between areas that are fundamentally different from each other.Thanks to her, this transition between contrasts became soft, without the elements of shock therapy.
1950s
At this time, there was a breakthrough in industry and the automotive industry. The legislators of interior fashion at that time were European countries and the United States. This "boom" was due to the unusual design of household appliances: stoves, refrigerators, ovens, radios. They have an abundance of handles, levers, sensors and buttons, which made them look like a car dashboard. The furniture was made of simple materials: wood, metal pipes, various iron "waste". This traced the post-war deficit and rationality, as a way out of the situation. Plain textile was used in the upholstery, and decor was decorated with ornaments. Even retro-style heating radiators had an original surface with embossed patterns. Also in the interior composition there was an abundance of chrome elements, and instead of expensive leather, a quality substitute was used, again in order to save. By the way, furniture (especially chairs) was harsh, but practical.
A special element for karaoke lovers will be the arrangement of a corner for singing in the living room. The main subject in this area will be a microphone on a stand, like an American star - Elvis Presley. It symbolizes an entire era, a musical breakthrough. By the way, such microphones have a special cardioid diagram, which allows you to work in rooms with poor acoustics.
1960s
The aesthetics of the 60s does not yet have the “challenge” of future decades. The interiors used the same tones as in the 50s, but in more muted versions. For the stylization of the apartment used posters and prints symbolizing the movement for peace (hippies). "Flower Children", as they were called then, gained wildly popularity in the USA, then the British youth overwhelmed the current. The young generation drew new ideas from school, which was the reason for a real revolution in the world of design.Children were raised on completely different ideals than their parents in the postwar years. At the end of the 60s, the most grandiose festival of those times was held - Woodstock, which only Rock Monsters in mass in 1991 in Tushino in Moscow could surpass. Large-scale popularization of the new lifestyle has had a huge impact on interior design. Freedom and brightness gradually regained their positions, having replaced rationalism and laconicism. In electrical appliances (lamps, kettles, televisions), the use of smooth shapes and rounded corners is observed. But the furniture remains almost unchanged. Only its upholstery is gradually decorated with an asymmetric ornament.
1970s
Relaxed interiors are gradually equipped with luxuries and comforts: sideboards, bar counters, coffee tables appear. The surface is decorated with an intricate ornament based on combinations of calm tones: natural shades and gold, brown, walnut colors. Chairs become “softer” for greater comfort for guests and household. In many interiors, the outlines of nascent minimalism are observed. Sharp corners are completely discarded in favor of soft roundness. Forms are becoming more complex, futuristic. The era of disco dictates its own rules regarding lighting and color palette. In the setting, a pair of accent, bright tones are necessarily used. Geometric patterns (circles, squares, triangles) come into fashion. Houses are decorated with garlands, neon lamps, devices of complex shapes.
The ottoman will become a stylish element in the living room. Visually, it looks like a couch without armrests and a back. A wide seat will accommodate twice as many guests as on an ordinary ottoman or sofa.
Retro style kitchen
Consider the option of retro cuisine from the intermediate era at the junction of the 60s and 70s. The floor is finished with ceramic tiles in black and white. Tile is staggered.The kitchen apron is also decorated with tiles, but of smaller sizes and other colors (lilac with mint). The same fresh shade of green is chosen for the kitchen. Its facades are concise and have no stucco decorations. A bright red table paired with chairs of the same color create a cozy dining area. The upholstery is made of leatherette, and the countertop has small light gray blotches that mimic marble of an unusual shade. Household appliances have chrome surfaces. The walls are covered with special washable wallpaper with a repeating pattern. They decorate bright dishes in the room as a decoration, hang a wall clock, a couple of paintings or photos.
Retro style lounge / living room
In the living room, three walls are painted in a neutral, pastel shade, and the fourth is decorated with wallpaper with a bright print. Upholstered furniture is represented by a corner sofa and a pair of armchairs with catchy upholstery shades: yellow, green, red, orange. It is not necessary to buy a standard kit. Armchairs choose unusual forms that were characteristic of the late 70s. The coffee table is made of a combination of glass and plastic. The sconces are fixed on the walls, and floor lamps with metal shades are placed near the sofa. In the corner place a bookcase with books. The floor is covered with a round colorful rug. Bright posters on the walls will complete the interior composition.
In country houses, where the halls have a large area, you can install a huge, long sofa that will follow the contours of the wall. It will be a great place to relax for large companies.
Bedroom
The retro bedroom of the 50s uses a wide, massive bed with a metal or wooden frame. Its back is draped with fabric from which the curtains are made. The best solution is a light pastel shade with a light floral pattern in textiles. The bed is covered with an openwork white bedspread. Pictures and paintings in square and oval frames are hung on the walls.The bedside table is forced with black and white pictures, decorated with a vase with fresh flowers and a lamp. The walls are painted in ivory, pearl shade, soft yellow tone. The floor is finished with dark laminate and the center of the room is covered with a large carpet.
Bathroom
In the bathroom of the 50s, wooden planks painted in dark “asphalt” color are used for wall cladding. The ceiling is plastered. The materials are not practical, but special impregnation will save the situation. The faucet, faucet and bathroom legs are made of brass. The cabinet and the cabinets are selected from light shades of wood. A rectangular mirror in a baguette frame is installed above the sink - a relic of the classical style. The floor is covered with a rug with a picture (flowers, birds of paradise, fish). If the room has windows, then they are curtained with translucent curtains with an unobtrusive ornament to match the color of the walls.
Conclusion
Inspiration for creating a retro atmosphere can be drawn from old photographs, films, musical compositions, books. Great ideas are sometimes hidden in the interiors of retro cafes, restaurants and other thematic institutions. By the way, American roadside eateries convey a special flavor. The interiors of many of them intentionally did not change for decades and the time there seemed to freeze in one place. According to the description, the retro style seems simple and unpretentious. In fact, among designers it is considered one of the most difficult areas, perhaps because in such an environment, the “atmosphere” plays a large role, the spirit of antiquity, which not everyone can catch.
The word "retro" is called any thing that was relevant in the past, but does not fit into the realities of our time. There is another concept - vintage. They are often confused in colloquial speech, although they are similar, but not identical. Retro (from lat. "Back") is considered an abstract designation of old things and those objects that were artificially aged. There are no time limits for referral. The age of such things can be both 30 and 60 years. The word vintage means only genuine, cult objects (usually in the fashion world) that have become a real symbol of an entire era. Their age, as a rule, does not exceed 25-30 years. For example, plastic earrings and leggings of acid shades are vintage things of the 80s. The retro trend includes vintage, as a component of the trend-driven trend. Religious things cannot organically fit into the present if they did not become popular again.Retro style is out of fashion, the true value of old details is precisely at their age. Antiques play a special role in this direction - it has become one of the basic elements. Retro style in the interior, as well as in fashion, will appeal to true connoisseurs of beauty. In the article, we will talk about how to decorate the house with your own hands in an original way and at the same time convey the unique spirit of the chosen era.
Content
Features and salient features of style
Although antique furniture and decor details were used in different eras, the beginning of the 50s is considered to be the official “date” of the retro's birth. It was during this post-war period that enormous changes took place in design. In parallel with the economic recovery, designers sought to get rid of dullness and routine, to find new ideas and solutions, so that interiors would cheer people up and encourage them to work. From the 50s, the countdown of the epochs (usually 10 years each) begins, which appear in the history of retrostyle as separate milestones. The post-war years are always taken for the zero coordinate. There are common characteristics that are characteristic only of retro:
The color scheme of the past
Since the retro style does not depend on fashion, but on time, it does not have common color standards. For example, these days, popular such "tasty" colors like mustard, mint, olive, peach. In the 50s, bright shades were in demand: turquoise, red, green, yellow. Plain fabrics in those days were not used. For this era, combinations with floral ornaments, peas, flowers and a "rustic" cage are relevant. As a background, calm tones were chosen: white, shades of brown, pastel colors. Restraint and laconicism in the palette did not give up "without a fight." In the 60s, background tones became calmer, more muffled, but vivid prints appeared that were characteristic of “flower children”. By the 70s, the palette had changed again, giving preference to gold and shades of brown, against which red, yellow, purple, green, blue geometric patterns looked advantageous.
Retro style furniture
Furniture is a key aspect in retrospect. It must correspond to the chosen era, so they are very responsible for the choice. Even if the right furniture is placed in a room with the usual decoration for our time, it will supersede the spirit of modernity due to its dominant flavor. In addition to traditional elements, professionals are advised to use unusual details that will become a “highlight”.For example, a chair in the shape of a blossoming flower bud, original backs of chairs, carved facades of cabinets or a dressing table with an oval mirror. Suitable furniture can be easily purchased at flea markets selling antiques. You can find a chest of drawers or a bedside table in the grandmother's attic. They are ennobled with the help of varnish, paint, sandpaper, with the help of which the characteristic scuffs “from time to time” are added. Decoupage technique has become popular in our time, when drawings are transferred to the surface of cabinets, cabinets, cupboards. Drawings can also be added using stencils that are sold in specialized stores. For the interiors of the 50s, massive, angular furniture is chosen. For the era of the 60s, rational solutions that take up less space, but still do not differ in increased comfort, are suitable. To create the aesthetics of the 70s, compact, functional, cozy furniture of original forms is used.
Materials and methods for decorating rooms
To finish the surfaces of the room, simple materials are chosen. In this regard, the retro style is unpretentious and dispenses with the vagaries, such as the modern eco-direction. The decoration is dominated by wood. If we are talking about a later retro, then they use plastic, which at that time was at the top of popularity due to its cheapness and affordability.
Walls and ceiling
The ceiling is plastered or planked. The surface of the tree is polished and painted in the desired colors. In small rooms it is not recommended to experiment with bright prints and rich colors, as they land the ceiling. For wall decoration use fabric wallpaper. The pattern on their surface can be very different: from a simple floral ornament to complex ornate patterns. The second option will be painting the walls. In this case, combinations of up to five colors are possible.They can be both bright and muffled. In modern interiors, stylized retro, often use brickwork. This typical Loftian element does not correspond to the era, but paradoxically organically merges into the atmosphere of the 50s.
Floor
A laminate of light shades is suitable for fabric wallpaper. If the walls are painted, then it is better to use a parquet board or linoleum with a "chess" pattern. The modern bulk floor is suitable only for the style of the extravagant 80s. The kitchen uses a durable tile. A mandatory element on the floor is a round carpet with a short pile. Its color is selected in such a way that it is in harmony with the walls and furniture.
Accessories and decor
Decor, as you know, is glossy in the room. The retro style used an abundance of decorations that enlivened the atmosphere and made it more fun. Colorful curtains made of light fabrics should be present in any room. Also, the interior is necessarily decorated with many family photos and an abundance of books. The latter is desirable to use not only for decoration, but also in order to enrich their knowledge. In the textile, chintz and cotton prevail. Tables are covered with striped tablecloths, a cage or mischievous peas. The original design move will be wall decoration with signs and posters with pin-up images of girls. The kitchen uses bright dishes. Do not shun retro and vases, caskets, mirrors, floor lamps with unusual shades. Among the materials for decor, cast iron and wood are the leaders.
Retro from different decades
For three decades (from the 50s to the 70s), the style has undergone changes in which one can find reflection of changes in the way of life of the average person and his tastes. It all started with rigorous settings, where echoes of the classical style were traced. Gradually, the interiors changed beyond recognition and reflected the chaotic time in anticipation of the "fashionable" revolution of the 80s, which subsequently led to modern styles. The retro era has become an intermediate option, a design “buffer zone” between areas that are fundamentally different from each other.Thanks to her, this transition between contrasts became soft, without the elements of shock therapy.
1950s
At this time, there was a breakthrough in industry and the automotive industry. The legislators of interior fashion at that time were European countries and the United States. This "boom" was due to the unusual design of household appliances: stoves, refrigerators, ovens, radios. They have an abundance of handles, levers, sensors and buttons, which made them look like a car dashboard. The furniture was made of simple materials: wood, metal pipes, various iron "waste". This traced the post-war deficit and rationality, as a way out of the situation. Plain textile was used in the upholstery, and decor was decorated with ornaments. Even retro-style heating radiators had an original surface with embossed patterns. Also in the interior composition there was an abundance of chrome elements, and instead of expensive leather, a quality substitute was used, again in order to save. By the way, furniture (especially chairs) was harsh, but practical.
1960s
The aesthetics of the 60s does not yet have the “challenge” of future decades. The interiors used the same tones as in the 50s, but in more muted versions. For the stylization of the apartment used posters and prints symbolizing the movement for peace (hippies). "Flower Children", as they were called then, gained wildly popularity in the USA, then the British youth overwhelmed the current. The young generation drew new ideas from school, which was the reason for a real revolution in the world of design.Children were raised on completely different ideals than their parents in the postwar years. At the end of the 60s, the most grandiose festival of those times was held - Woodstock, which only Rock Monsters in mass in 1991 in Tushino in Moscow could surpass. Large-scale popularization of the new lifestyle has had a huge impact on interior design. Freedom and brightness gradually regained their positions, having replaced rationalism and laconicism. In electrical appliances (lamps, kettles, televisions), the use of smooth shapes and rounded corners is observed. But the furniture remains almost unchanged. Only its upholstery is gradually decorated with an asymmetric ornament.
1970s
Relaxed interiors are gradually equipped with luxuries and comforts: sideboards, bar counters, coffee tables appear. The surface is decorated with an intricate ornament based on combinations of calm tones: natural shades and gold, brown, walnut colors. Chairs become “softer” for greater comfort for guests and household. In many interiors, the outlines of nascent minimalism are observed. Sharp corners are completely discarded in favor of soft roundness. Forms are becoming more complex, futuristic. The era of disco dictates its own rules regarding lighting and color palette. In the setting, a pair of accent, bright tones are necessarily used. Geometric patterns (circles, squares, triangles) come into fashion. Houses are decorated with garlands, neon lamps, devices of complex shapes.
Retro style kitchen
Consider the option of retro cuisine from the intermediate era at the junction of the 60s and 70s. The floor is finished with ceramic tiles in black and white. Tile is staggered.The kitchen apron is also decorated with tiles, but of smaller sizes and other colors (lilac with mint). The same fresh shade of green is chosen for the kitchen. Its facades are concise and have no stucco decorations. A bright red table paired with chairs of the same color create a cozy dining area. The upholstery is made of leatherette, and the countertop has small light gray blotches that mimic marble of an unusual shade. Household appliances have chrome surfaces. The walls are covered with special washable wallpaper with a repeating pattern. They decorate bright dishes in the room as a decoration, hang a wall clock, a couple of paintings or photos.
Retro style lounge / living room
In the living room, three walls are painted in a neutral, pastel shade, and the fourth is decorated with wallpaper with a bright print. Upholstered furniture is represented by a corner sofa and a pair of armchairs with catchy upholstery shades: yellow, green, red, orange. It is not necessary to buy a standard kit. Armchairs choose unusual forms that were characteristic of the late 70s. The coffee table is made of a combination of glass and plastic. The sconces are fixed on the walls, and floor lamps with metal shades are placed near the sofa. In the corner place a bookcase with books. The floor is covered with a round colorful rug. Bright posters on the walls will complete the interior composition.
Bedroom
The retro bedroom of the 50s uses a wide, massive bed with a metal or wooden frame. Its back is draped with fabric from which the curtains are made. The best solution is a light pastel shade with a light floral pattern in textiles. The bed is covered with an openwork white bedspread. Pictures and paintings in square and oval frames are hung on the walls.The bedside table is forced with black and white pictures, decorated with a vase with fresh flowers and a lamp. The walls are painted in ivory, pearl shade, soft yellow tone. The floor is finished with dark laminate and the center of the room is covered with a large carpet.
Bathroom
In the bathroom of the 50s, wooden planks painted in dark “asphalt” color are used for wall cladding. The ceiling is plastered. The materials are not practical, but special impregnation will save the situation. The faucet, faucet and bathroom legs are made of brass. The cabinet and the cabinets are selected from light shades of wood. A rectangular mirror in a baguette frame is installed above the sink - a relic of the classical style. The floor is covered with a rug with a picture (flowers, birds of paradise, fish). If the room has windows, then they are curtained with translucent curtains with an unobtrusive ornament to match the color of the walls.
Conclusion
Inspiration for creating a retro atmosphere can be drawn from old photographs, films, musical compositions, books. Great ideas are sometimes hidden in the interiors of retro cafes, restaurants and other thematic institutions. By the way, American roadside eateries convey a special flavor. The interiors of many of them intentionally did not change for decades and the time there seemed to freeze in one place. According to the description, the retro style seems simple and unpretentious. In fact, among designers it is considered one of the most difficult areas, perhaps because in such an environment, the “atmosphere” plays a large role, the spirit of antiquity, which not everyone can catch.