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.