Life is a Color Palette: February 2012

Vintage Shades by Sam Hughes

Retro inspired lamps by Euro Style Lighting

Funky Retro Sunburst Wall Clock by Vintage Looks

Modern Retro Shelving Units by Unto This Last

Modern Remake of a Vintage Desk Design by Ernest Igle

Garfield Chairs in two different colors by Thrive Furniture

Retro counter stools by American Chairs

Lider Plus Retro/Modern office chair by Zuo Modern

Mid-Century Taylor Sectional by Thrive Furniture

Retro Blue Lagoon Sofa by Overstock.com

Mid-Century Nixon Loveseat by Thrive Furniture

Mid-century Carter Credenza by Thrive Furniture

Retro Eiffel Tower small dinning table

Retro Eames style LTR

Retro Acrylic side chair (Ghost Chair) Retro Eames Style Arm Chair

Retro Pillows by Tonic Living

Retro Phone by The Contemporary Home

When we talk about Retro Interior Design styles most people usually have in mind the sleek, slim
streamlined styling and bright candy colors from the 1950's and 1960's. This is the period of the classic Retro look. This look evolved out of and replaced, the overstuffed, substantial look of the
1940's which is also referred to as Retro Interior Design but also Vintage Design.
The quirky, avant-garde look of Retro design is definitely making a comeback in modern day interior decorating. It is fun, it is colorful, with some wild designs, variety of shapes, textures and patterns and foremost it is TRENDY!
It is funny how you can associate different styles and eras with certain things. When I think Retro first thing that comes to my mind is an old time American dinner with bright "lipstick red" vinyl seatting, black and white checkerboard flooring and Coca-Cola signs all over.
So what exactly defines classic Retro style?
Definitely bright colors such as candy apple red, aqua, sunshine yellow, orange and light green; accents with black and white, silver, and chrome; patterns like checkerboard, stripes and polka-dots as well as a cool Retro flower designs; shiny materials such as vinyl, laminate and linoleum are also references to the past. For this era furnishings were normally constructed with plastic, plywood or molded fiberglass/Plexiglas. Furniture lines were usually rounded or curved, in unique kidney or bubble shapes.
All the mentioned above truly define Retro style and even though many Contemporary design styles may not claim an outright Retro design label; but they often allude to strong Retro sensibilities and influences.

Let's have a look on some Contemporary Retro and Vintage inspired rooms:

Love this room! Chrome for sure is one of the elements which creates retro feeling in this space

Mid-century furniture pieces are characterized by their clean, simple lines and used in this room. Liking the funky lamp!

Entirely furnished with 60's inspired pieces. George Nelson bubble lamp, vintage table and chairs, retro vases, sunbursts, mustard- hued walls... totally Retro!

Mid-century table lamp and nightstand add character to this room

Embrace the era of mustard, avocado and tangerine with a 60's-inspired color scheme

Cool Retro Art! Add an unexpected element to your home with a vintage art piece

Just Retro Funky!

Color green and curved chairs are Retro elements in this space

Retro inspired wallpaper pattern

Hi light green!

and again the wallpaper plus funky chairs

Combination of wallpaper, furniture pieces and color-all inspired from Retro style!

Rich kitchen colors of modern kitchen appliances and cabinets like burgundy red, emerald green, graphite gray or midnight blue, combined with silver chrome handles are definite influences from Retro style