As an era of invention (credit cards, rocket ships and the mobile phone are just three examples), it's no surprise that the 50s, 60s and 70s were a time of trendsetting, experimentation and innovation for interiors, too. Decades on, interiors are still being inspired and influenced by retro trends reworked in interesting and unusual ways. It’s no secret that midecentury influences inspire our work too, so here is our pick of three of the best – and easiest – retro trends to try.
colour pop
A pop of colour uplifts your interior, providing a focal point and visual interest, whatever the room. Here we’ve picked a few interior designers that show you how to play various shades off against each other, often across several rooms. Turner Pocock use brightly-coloured geometric wallpaper, while Amy Lau Design focuses on eye-catching seating contrasted against dark wooden furniture. Thomas & Catherine Widawski’s interiors prove that even ceilings and bathrooms deserve the vintage treatment. Throughout the looks, three shades are prominent - aqua, orange and yellow - as they look fresh, fun and inviting. You can recreate the retro era's love affair with these bright and beautiful hues with our Dahlia Rug or our Coral Atoll Wallpaper.
Images (clockwise from top left): Turner Pocock, Thomas & Catherine Widawski, Amy Lau Design, Thomas & Catherine Widawski
pattern play
A graphic take on florals and a Scandinavian lens on space themes are two of the strongest ways the period worked print. This emerging sensibility of stripped-back, simplistic, yet effective design is something that echoes throughout our design ethos. This is captured perfectly in the iconic work of 50s designer Lucienne Day, and can also be seen today in the works of designers like Missprint, Angie Lewin and Sanderson. Striking patterns based on grids, angles and geometry – a reference to the precise nature of science – have also been taken into the twenty-first century, not only in our own Lost in Space collection, but by the likes of Minimoderns and Graham & Brown. Our Orbit and Cultivate rugs tie together both the Scandi and space themes, while our Pond Life wallpaper references the graphic, ordered appearance of floral and plant designs of the period.
Images (clockwise from top left): Missprint, Lucienne Day, Minimoderns
nature as inspiration
The retro era is closely tied to nature, whether in the use of natural materials or in its often-seen earthy tones. Both Pamono’s rugs and Lucienne Day’s fabrics feature rich colours of orange, ochre and moss, while pine paneling, cork and wood offcuts feature in the interiors of Thomas & Catherine Widawski. Our Shard wallpaper mimics the paneled look of many retro homes or the effect of woven fabrics. In addition, many of our designs mimic patterns found in nature – our Flutes and Dew Drops rugs are reminiscent of tree bark and our Tree Stump wallpaper shows tree rings. All these designs evoke a sense of being in the midst of natural surroundings with their calming colourways and subject matter, and, their warming, natural colour palette is great to build on for any space.
Images (clockwise from top left): Pamono Rugs x2, Lucienne Day, Thomas & Catherine Widawski
