Image via Muse Entertainment
The mini series Bomb Girls debuts tonight on Global here in Canada. The series is set in 1941 and follows the lives of young women building bombs and ammunition for the Canadian war effort at a munitions factory in Toronto. I really enjoy period books and movies, so I’m looking forward to watching the series – it sounds like and good story, and I’m really intrigued by the ‘40s. It was obviously a turbulent and difficult time, with World War II raging in Europe and over the Pacific and in Asia, and women weren’t exactly treated as equals. But the music was cool and the fashion was pretty glam…
Image via Glamour Daze
And believe it or not, interior design in the ‘40s had a lot in common with interior design today. I came across a web site with notes taken from the book The American Woman’s Encyclopedia of Home Decorating by Helen Koues (1948). Interesting that a home decor book written almost 65 years ago has design tips that we use today. OH MY GOD. 65 years ago?! Why do I suddenly feel very, very old?! Anyway, here’s a condensed version of the notes (you can read the full article here).
1. This is the age of color. Today our walls are yellow, dusty rose, soft blue and green. Some small rooms are even in strong, deep colors. Any color you like may be chosen for the walls of a formal room.
Image from Decorating Forties Style by David Claudon,1948
Image via Style At Home, 2011
2. Combine different styles of furniture.
Image via My Design Chic from Livingetc
3. It's amazing how you can transform {an uninteresting} room into one of distinction by paneling one wall.
Fresh Home via Inside Stoop. Built by Shed.
4. Except where scatter rugs are used, the style today is to have the rug follow the outline of the room, allowing a margin of from six to twelve inches between wall and rug around the entire room.
Design by Sarah Richardson & Tommy Smythe, Sarah 101
5. Paint the radiator the color of the wall, the background of the wallpaper, or the woodwork.
Image via The Guardian
6. In many combination rooms, the studio couch is a key piece of furniture. In the one-room apartment, where it is in daily use, it should be chosen with careful consideration for its comfort as well as its appearance.
Image via 28.media.tumblr
7a. A row of pictures may be placed one above the other. This is a particularly nice way to hang human-interest pictures.
Design by Pizitz Home and Cottage, image via Chic Coastal Living
7b. Pictures and interesting wallpapers are in style today.
Ohoy Wallpaper made by 8 year old Otto Dunker for Fine Little Day (Thanks Sarah at Quintessentially B!)
8. Paint old bookshelves or cabinets that you may already have or can buy secondhand and use them for stage places.
Image via design*sponge
9. Use old jugs and pots for lamp bases and vases.
Weck canning jar pendant lights, image via The Kitchn
10. Swedish decoration is full of color, and gives great charm to informal rooms.
Image via Trendir
As they say, everything old is new again! Except avocado kitchen appliances – please, don’t ever bring those back!
