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!

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.

Anything by David Hicks!

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.

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.

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.

I think your so right Daniel Poitiers----I think it also comes down to good taste is good taste no matter when.

I love these rooms - I could move right into any of them.

bepsf- I second that.

I think the Circus Hostel in Berlin took some cues from this book: http://www.flickr.com/photos/51283336@N00/3458396368/in/set-72157618867105420/