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House & Garden's Complete Guide to Interior Decoration, 1953

090508homegarden5.jpgInspiration for 2008 in a 1953 book by Simon & Schuster: House & Garden's Complete Guide to Interior Decoration shows a lot of ideas that are firmly stuck in the 50s, but also several that we have seen transferred to today time and time again. We scanned in images of a few of our favorites - whether for color, texture, symmetry (or lack thereof). Tell us if you can see a little bit of now in these old rooms:

 
 

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inspiration, history, House & Garden

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Comments (9)

Antlers…cow skin rugs…we may never escape these!

posted by littlebrownbird on 2008-09-05 14:16:10
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I have to admit that vintage decorating books are a guilty pleasure. A favorite is Bloomingdale's book of home decorating by Barbara D'Arcy. In my opinion, Billy Baldwin's books/designs have aged the best.

posted by JonathanB on 2008-09-05 14:17:32
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Anything by David Hicks!

posted by Limonata on 2008-09-05 14:21:12
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How interesting. Magnaverde, whose apartment was in the Smallest Coolest a while back, was influenced by the 1937 version. His place is on O at Home and there's an interview with him at DeepGlamour.net.

posted by Palmetto on 2008-09-05 14:24:10
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That one with the purple couch and the dainty dear is beautiful. Formal, but the cow rug and bright couch give it an just enough comfort. Me loves.

posted by chusmabilly on 2008-09-05 14:37:20
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The furniture shown here remains fairly classical in most pictures, I think that chic elegance keeps it from looking too dated.
I also think that if the pictures had been taken today, with a modern camera, but in identical rooms, the difference wouldn't be that obvious. Our vision is really modified by printing techniques, and nothing looks dated faster than photography.

posted by Daniel Poitiers on 2008-09-05 14:40:22
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I think your so right Daniel Poitiers----I think it also comes down to good taste is good taste no matter when.

posted by poptart on 2008-09-05 15:03:54
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I love these rooms - I could move right into any of them.

posted by bepsf on 2008-09-05 15:19:29
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bepsf- I second that.

posted by Julia at Living Luxely on 2008-09-05 22:16:16
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