Interior Designs Through The Ages - Part 1 - The 60's

The sixties - that’s right, we’re talking about the hippy-love and flowery years of America’s past that still resonates with many designers of all types - fashion, interior and even automotive - to this day.

The sixties flower passion introduced a free-love theme into interior design that is now incorporated into warm pastel colors and floral designs. The trends also noted sleek straight-line furnishings and furniture as well as bright citrus colors.

One of the main contributions that the sixties gave interior design is the use of feature walls, that is, walls that have bright striking patterns or designs that catch your eye. Most times there was one main feature wall within a room.

Other fun contributions from this special decade were colorful wall art and prints like the famous Andy Warhol or film posters, as well as bright and eccentric kitchen appliances as entertaining in ones’ home because much less formal than it had been in years past.

It was a fun time to be alive - and it brought us colorful and interesting design elements - many of which - have stuck around through the decades.

Interiors Through The Ages - Series

Our ancestors of long ago lived in caves and told their stories on the walls of their homes. Today, we learn so much about their lifestyle as hunters and gatherers - and can imagine what their living quarters might have been like. A caveman's interior design might include cold cave floors, animal furs when available, hides and stones.  Certainly it was exciting when fire was added, and tools were developed - to add to the mix of medium - wood and textiles once folks could see during the evening hours to weave.

Hieroglyphics still line the inside of caves and tunnel walls in Egypt, telling of their ancient ancestors. Carvings into stones and upholstery were how art and design were communicated through the Dark Ages. It’s no secret there has long been human desire to decorate and adorn their dwellings - and that hasn’t changed throughout the years.

In this series, we’ll be walking through modern interior design history a bit, and seeing how design trends have changed throughout the years. Tune back in - during the weeks to come where we will touch on trends from this century - the 60's, 70's and beyond.

Lighting in Rustic and Modern Homes

Home is where we rest, where we retreat after a long day. We spend all week at the office or on the road for work until the minute we are able to get home and kick our feet up. Your home is supposed to be relaxing, inviting and charming.

When the builders designed this beautiful home (called Cat Mountain, featured here by freshome), they were able to perfectly craft a modern, simplistic feel with the beautiful history of antique decorations and accents. Despite being a modern home, it sure has a “rustic” feel. 

What separates charming homes from empty homes is lighting. Special lighting can add to the beauty of a home and can make your home look more spacious, cozy and create a comfortable transition between rooms. Glass windows and hallways allow for open, natural light to enter your home and can instill a sense of luxury into your morning coffee and newspaper read.

So take some time this spring and play with different lighting arrangements for your home. Opt for recessed lighting in bigger rooms to hide bulky lighting fixtures or add tall narrow lamps to corners of rooms to draw attention away from the unlit areas.

Ital Art Designs: True Old World Craftsmanship

It can be challenging to find beautiful, high-quality furniture that will fit the décor of your home. Ital Art Designs is a large international importer of living room, bedroom and dining room furnishings that is both elegant and gorgeous.

Their European-designed traditional furniture will beautify your home and open the door to a extensive assortment of items for those who are style-conscious and seek quality and value.

Their superior craftsman put the 'art' in Ital Art Designs. They don’t compromise on quality - and proudly boast their Old World craftsmanship. Simply put, their fabrics, materials and finishes are among the best in the world.

Many of the items created by Ital Art Designs are crafted from natural elements like beechwood, alder or mahogany and produce exquisite and unique looks. They offer a wide variety of finishes - including the natural clear coating as well as premium finishes.

Just like their wooden finishes, their fabric is also artfully crafted from a variety of designer fabrics and grades that are guaranteed to suit your taste—whatever that may be.

At J. Douglas Design Fine Furniture and Interior Design, we focus only on the best lines and finest brands and we are proud to be able to display Ital Art Designs furniture in our Dallas showroom. Stop by and see what we have to offer.

New Construction Allows New Interior Design

Purchasing a new home can be an overwhelming experience but should be an enjoyable one. A new home brings with it a new neighborhood, new communities and a new opportunity to start fresh – that’s why there’s no better time to enjoy the luxury of a blank canvas inside your home… waiting for you to put a bit of “you” into it.

Recently built homes share little in common with those that were built decades ago. Some are larger; others are smaller but more efficient when considering energy and lighting. All in all, the features of newer, modern homes are something to be celebrated and something to consider when planning your interior design direction.

Large, Open Living Spaces

Most are much more practical for entertaining and enjoying the company of others because they feature wide floor plans and open living spaces.

No more struggling to catch a glimpse of the “big game” on TV. These open living spaces allow for entertaining larger amounts of guest without compromising on the coziness of a comfortable home.

Warm, inviting and durable furniture in an open living room is a great accent to a great atmosphere.

Lighting

The lighting in your home can make a big difference when personalizing your new home. In a new home, you’re able to pick and choose your own light fixtures that fit into your vision of each room.

Some beautiful accents in modern rooms are spotlights and lamps that feature specific locations, such as a focus over a gathering area in a living room.

Ceilings

Ceiling of modern homes are higher than their older counterparts. They provide an open feeling to those inside and give off a sense of sophistication when decorated with colors, artwork and curtains that catch the breeze from an open window.

Seize the opportunity to maximize the benefits of new construction with reference to your home accessories selection and interior design plan. 

Designing Bedrooms with Your Child in Mind

Technology is becoming the playground for our children. They maneuver smart phones, tablets and computers with ease. Parents use to be open to putting computers and televisions into children’s rooms but have recently responded with a firm stance to not.

Remember when kids would set up bedroom tents and play with little more than action figures and their imagination? Does their bedroom allow them to get creative?

Interior design specific for children can be an incredible opportunity to build a creative mind and allow children to entertain themselves into the day without sitting and staring at a glowing screen.

Gender-specific room designs are usually the first addition to be made to a child’s bedroom. People fill boy’s rooms with toy trains, fire trucks and superheroes and girl’s with dress up clothes and costumes, dolls and stuffed animals.

Design with Your Child in Mind

Each child is different and as they grow, they want to express themselves in individual and personal ways. Ask your child what they enjoy and build around them.Does your child like “teaching class” to a group of furry stuffed animal students? Invest in a chalkboard for those lesson plans. What about the die-hard football fan? Grab a green-colored rug and paint some white “ticks” on it to imitate a playing field. Make a room your child will love! 

Limit Tech in the Room

Although that iPad might keep your child busy for hours on end, find ways to absorb their attention in different ways. Lights from glowing screens can throw off rhythmic sleeping patterns for children and recent studies reveal that consistent technology use by growing children contributes to limited attention spans.

Most of all let your child play a role. Make their room their room. Allow them a say in paint colors,  furniture and other room accents so that it truly will represent what they like and who they are.

Concrete Interior Design - Using An Ancient Material In Modern Design

Ancient Romans knew the value of concrete - they used it to build their buildings (which sported gorgeous marble overlays) - which have obviously withstood the test of time.  They used concrete to build roads and markets; basically to build their great cities. 

Since then - we've used concrete as well - to build our cities too. In Mexico, concrete is used heavily, because it is efficient and durable. Lately - it's been viewed as a pretty hip material to use in interior design - as well as furniture.  Now used in artistic ways; concrete is being used in more ways than ever before.

Take the concrete pool table shown here, by furniture designer James DeWulf.  "There's something alive about concrete," said DeWulf. "You can't help rub your fingers over it. A liquid that turns to stone ... what's not to love?"  From a recent Washington Examiner article:
 
DeWulf creates high-end furniture, like his concrete Ping Pong table that doubles as a dining table and costs more than $4,000. He is among a growing number of "concrete artisans," or people trained in the decorative use of concrete, and his designs illustrate how concrete is being manipulated into home interiors.

In the last decade, I've seen stylish and sleek concrete flooring. I've seen beautiful stamped and stained concrete used to create a gorgeous outdoor living area.  The industrial and 'grunge' look is still as popular as it was in the 90's, in a more minimalistic and 'urban' way;  so to see furniture made of the same age-old and time-tested substance does not surprise me.  I'm thrilled to see artists expressing themselves with this super-cool medium - and excited to see clients getting really unique and durable furniture that stands out.

Click here for photo credit and inspiration article.