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 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!
1940s glamour was awesome! Love the space 9th down, looks like Jonathan Adler! The chandelier is killer.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by that show too... love 1940's looks... red lips are my fave!
ReplyDeleteOh darn, I missed the first episode. How incredible how similar things are today. What comes around, goes around right? Awesome images.
ReplyDeleteSo cool Kelly! Everything old is new again...does that mean I'm new again!
ReplyDelete;-)
What a fabulous sounding series - I do hope it makes it over here. I love a good serial and there is so little that is decent on to watch most of the time.
ReplyDeleteFun post, Kelly! I've been collecting vintage home design books for awhile now, and I'm always amazed at how little things have really changed in the way we decorate our homes over the past hundred or so years. Sure, there's some crazy color combos and silly ideas that get dated, but nothing any sillier than some of the stuff that's created today!
ReplyDeleteHave fun watching the show. Hope it's a good one!
A great, interesting read, Kelly, of a turbulent, uncertain time! ;)
ReplyDeleteAmazing! My mother worked in one of those ammo factories and loved to tell me the story of how she or one of her buddies would time one of the presses to accidentally "fire" scaring the bejesus out of the big boss as he toured the facility. Guess he thought it was a rogue round.
ReplyDeleteShe had to fight relentlessly to ensure her time there was included in her pension years later. The government was inclined to ignore the contribution to the war made by so many young women of the time.
Thanks for the heads up.
Pursuit99, thanks for your comment. I hope your mom got the pension that she deserved for the work that she did. I thought the first episode was pretty good - looking forward to the rest of the series.
ReplyDeleteKelly - you always have the most original posts! Loved this and so funny to read some of the terminology like "studio couch." I missed the show but will try and catch it next week.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! There really is nothing new in fashion or design, just new interpretations. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh Kelly this is the best post I've read in a long time! So interesting with your photo illustrations, you have proven that 1040's home decor style really does translate into 2012. LOVED the first two pics, almost identical!
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying the new year Kelly, and have a wonderful Weekend! xox Linda =)
Love it when everything old is new again! Wish it would happen with me LOL. Great post and lots of good tips.
ReplyDeleteOr Harvest Gold - please!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Kelly - loved how you structured it! And what great illustrations of how times haven't changed - even if they have...