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Retro Design

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

Retro Interior Design Style

The quirky, avant-garde look of retro design is definitely making a comeback in modern day interior decorating. Retro interior design style is a throwback to the mid-twentieth century when streamlined, bright, and bold furnishings were introduced.

Colours such as candy apple red, aqua, and sunshine yellow really channel the retro style. Accent with black & white, silver, and chrome – and you’ve got yourself a retro colour scheme!

Patterns like checkerboard, stripes, and polka-dots truly define the retro style. Shiny materials such as vinyl, laminate, and linoleum are also references to the past. Furnishings are normally constructed with plastic, plywood, or molded fiberglass/Plexiglas.

Furniture lines are usually rounded or curved, in unique kidney or bubble shapes.

You can add smaller retro pieces to your home, like a funky clock or lamp, or you can go all out and decorate your entire home in this exciting vintage inspired design. No matter what you decide to do, you’ll definitely have fun picking out retro pieces for your home!

Your living room is an ideal place to show off the retro style. To get the look, start with a convertible sofa. These innovations may be recent, but a lot of convertible sofas have been designed with a retro feel.

LifeStyle Solutions has a great selection of retro-inspired sofas.

Orange Sofa BedTheir Casual Convertibles Capitola Sofa Bed has an armless, oval-shaped design, and is available in three retro shades – orange, black, and yellow.

Lifestlye Solutions Convertible SofaFor sleeker look, try the Valencia Convertible Sofa. Its classic black and white finish with shiny metal legs gives it a nostalgic, yet modern feel at the same time.

Microsuede  SofaYou can also check out the Aruba Casual Convertible Upholstered Sofa in black microfiber for a casual retro look. Its thick silver legs are the only noticeable detail, so it’s suitable if you want a subtle retro-inspired piece.

Eurostyle offers a collection of shiny fiberglass-constructed chairs.

Fiberglass ChairThey focus on the black/red/white theme that is very retro-chic. The Slicka White Shell Fibreglass Chair is simple, yet stylish with its high-gloss fiberglass base and slightly curved lines.

White Shell ChairFor a look that screams retro, opt for the Miguela White Shell Fibreglass Chair. Bubble chairs were all the rage in the 1960’s, so channel the hip art-deco days with the Miguela chair.

Fiberglass  StoolA unique sitting or footrest option for the living room is the Drew White Fibreglass Stool. It also comes in black or red, so you can mix and match with the colours and place the stools throughout your living space.

When it comes to coffee tables, Global Furniture USA’s selection is definitely inspired by the freeform, curved shapes of the past.

Global Coffee TableThe Neville Glass Top Coffee Table is an instant focal point for your living room with its boldly coloured accent legs – just be sure that you match your surrounding furnishings to it so it won’t clash with anything!

Retro DesignThe Joop Glass Top Coffee Table features a popular retro style – the “O” shaped base was used in a lot in 60’s and 70’s décor.

Floating Coffee TableFor a combination of retro and modern style, consider the Dontai Glass Top Floating Coffee Table. Not only does it have handy stools that can be pulled out from underneath, its unique S-shape channels the past while maintaining a sleek, present look with its “floating” glass top.

Why not try the retro look in your bedroom? There are endless possibilities when it comes to retro bedroom design.

Start with a unique headboard. Skyline Furniture’s headboards slipcovers can easily be applied to your current headboard.

Skyline Upholstered HeadboardTry the Bloom Mineral Upholstered Slipcover Headboard if you like soft, subtle patterns. This retro floral print is neutral enough to fit into many different bedroom colour theme.

Retro HeadboardFor a cool circle print, the Rings Graphite Upholstered Slipcover Headboard is also a neutral option that will fit in with most bedrooms.

Leopard Print HeadboardIf you’re into retro geometrical prints, check out the Fret Work Sandstone Upholstered Slipcover Leopard Print Headboard. Again, another pattern that’s neutral in colour, so you’ll be able to easily match it with your décor.

If you’d rather show off retro print in a different way, you can always invest in a fun, funky duvet for your bed. Daniadown has a few different duvet covers that vary in print.

Retro Duvet CoverTheir Retro Earth Duvet Cover says it all in the name! Its 60’s inspired rounded square pattern has been paired with fresh, simple colours to adapt it more into the present.

Mauve Duvet CoverA chic idea for your teenager is the Vogue Mauve Duvet Cover. The geometric pattern is irresistibly retro, and the soft purple colour scheme would be the height of fashion in a teenaged girls’ room. Remember Spirographs?

Thread Count Duvet CoverThey became popular in the late 60’s and early 70’s, so to channel the retro fad, try the Spiro Duvet Cover. This whimsical cover will remind you of the past with its unique spiro patterns and bright aqua body colour.

AF Lighting features a selection of distinctive table lamps to give your bedroom some ambience.

Retro LampOf course, the Retro Table Lamp has that nostalgic feel with its multicoloured, geometric patterned shade.

Handmade LampThe Candice Olson Sydney Table Lamp also has a retro vibe with its rounded handmade shell shade, and black resin dimpled base.

Glass Tile LampCombining three different tile shapes, the Aqua Seas Table Glass Tile Lamp fuses contemporary and retro into one piece.

Interested in a retro-themed kitchen? On The Edge Marketing’s selection of retro-inspired bar stools will instantly take you back to 50’s! They don’t necessarily need to go in a home bar – use them to sit at the kitchen island for a soda shop feel.

Retro Bar StoolA retro kitchen is famous for the black and white checkerboard floor, but you can draw from it with the Single Foot Ring Without Swivel Retro Bar Stool.

Coca Cola Bar StoolWhat says a retro 50’s kitchen more than Coco Cola advertisements? The Single Foot Ring Without Swivel Coca Cola Bar Stool

Black Bar StoolIf you want to keep it simple, but still channel the 50’s vibe, try the shiny Black Pub Bar Stool that comes with a back piece.

You can turn your kitchen into even more of a soda shop with casual dining sets from Home Styles.

Soda Shop Breakfast NookTheir Soda Shoppe Breakfast Nook Set features the two quintessential retro materials – vinyl upholstery and laminate tabletop.

Retro Dinette SetRed, white, and silver comes together with the Soda Shoppe Retro Dinette Set. Its metal grill accents are inspired by the 50’s diner style.

Round Dinette TableIf you’re more interested in a rounded table, take a look at the Retro Soda Shoppe Round Dinette Table Set. Its vintage charm is brought out through its flared legs and classic black & silver colour scheme.

Try some funky retro clocks for your home! Look for metallic accents and fun shapes to give your kitchen a cute vintage vibe.

Retro ClockThe Nextime Time Piece Retro Wall Clock features a unique mixture of glass and aluminium, combining modern and retro together.

Howard Miller ClockThe Howard Miller Ball Retro Wall Clock is definitely reminiscent of the past with its funky hands and circle accents.

Kitchen Wall ClockThere’s also the bold, red/white Infinity Instruments Retro Deco Retro Kitchen Wall Clock that could be straight out of the 50’s, 60’s and even 70’s.

Don’t forget to check thrift and vintage stores for one-of-a-kind retro pieces! Let me know what you find for your Retro Interior Design!

Nicolette Interior Design Diva