Polly’s Bold & Colorful Retro Room

updated Jul 16, 2020

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Name: Polly
Age: 3
Location: Totnes, Devon, UK
Room size: 16.4 x 11.4 foot

Chances are, you’ve probably seen Jane Foster’s work, and we’ve featured her many times ourselves. Her work whole-heartedly celebrates the bold shapes, patterns and colors from the 60’s and 70’s – one can’t help feel a bit nostaligic when admiring her designs. When it was time to create a space for her daughter Polly, she replicated this passion for vintage and retro design. The result is a space that is magical and vintage-inspired, but one that feels undoubtedly modern as well.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Jane Foster)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Jane was kind enough to answer some questions about her inspiration for Polly’s room:

How would you describe the look and feel of this room? What design styles did you draw from?
The look is modern vintage retro. I didn’t draw from any particular design styles, I just added what I liked, trying to create as much colour and happiness as I could.

You are obviously very inspired by vintage European design from Scandinavia, Germany, the Netherlands and more. What do you like about it?
I love the bold colours, strong designs, retro images and the ‘wow’ feeling they often give.

Did you face any challenges while decorating this room?
What curtains to choose is often a difficult decision – these had to be bright and bold as the room is large – anything daintier wouldn’t have worked.

Are there any other DIY projects that you created for this room besides your trademark cushions and quilts? Please share!
I added the spotty paper to the mini white shelves in her cosy corner. (where she keeps her tea set etc..) I framed various post cards and vintage memory game cards for her wall.

What is your favorite piece or element?
I really like her little cosy corner with lost of cushions – she tells me this is her favourite place in the room.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

I love how you’ve incorporated vintage items throughout the room. What are your favorite places to find vintage?
Ebay, local second hand shops and car boot sales.

Your collection of vintage fabrics from the 60’s and 70’s is quite awe-inspiring! Are there any patterns out there that have eluded you that you can’t wait to get your hands on?
Yes, I would still like more Lucienne Day fabric and original 70’s Graziela fabric.

Can you tell us more about your background/profession/business?
I began this small business as a change to being a full time music teacher. I was no longer enjoying it and wanted to make a go of something I felt more passionate about. I gradually started to source fabrics, make cushions and screen print. (I did screen printing at school when I was younger and loved it). Things didn’t happen over night but I’ve worked long hours and have been dedicated to creating a better, more enjoyable life for myself and my family.

If money were no object, what would you buy for this room?
I bright yellow original Eames rocker chair or a fabulous vintage 60’s or 70’s dolls house, inclusive of working lights and all its furniture!!

Source List:

• Beds: vintage hospital bed dating from the 60’s, painted bed is vintage from Heals.
• Sausage dogs: Alice Apple
• Curtains: Habitat
• Lampshade: 70’s Magic Roundabout
• Vintage Fisher Price toys: Ebay and second hand shops
• Dolls, Cushions and Quilts: Jane Foster, Cushions

Thanks, Jane! Be sure to follow her blog for new product updates and inspiration. You can find her work in her Etsy shop, her Screenprints shop and her Cushions shop.

(Images: Jane Foster)

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