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

Inspiration 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:

Comments (10)

Antlersâ¦cow skin rugsâ¦we may never escape these!

posted by littlebrownbird on September 5th 2008 at 9:16am
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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 September 5th 2008 at 9:17am
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Anything by David Hicks!

posted by Limonata on September 5th 2008 at 9:21am
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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 September 5th 2008 at 9:24am
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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 September 5th 2008 at 9:37am
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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 September 5th 2008 at 9:40am
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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 September 5th 2008 at 10:03am
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I love these rooms - I could move right into any of them.

posted by bepsf on September 5th 2008 at 10:19am
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bepsf- I second that.

posted by Julia at Living Luxely on September 5th 2008 at 5:16pm
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I think the Circus Hostel in Berlin took some cues from this book: http://www.flickr.com/photos/51283336@N00/3458396368/in/set-72157618867105420/

posted by bookish on August 5th 2009 at 12:42pm
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