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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Emerging from the austerity and hardship of the post-war 40s, the 50s dawned as a bright, shiny era of hope. Fashion and design mirrored this sense of optimistic reinvention and the public craved the new look of colour, fun and modernity. Many of the styles dated quickly but the celebratory mood in which they were conceived remains relevant and appealing. Retro Style celebrates the best of the 50s but with a contemporary twist embracing bold colours and sleek styles that manage to look quirkily perfect in today's home.
The most distinct styles are immediately familiar; the Scandinavian look incorporating furniture from Danish designers like Arne Jacobsen, subdued natural palettes and pale wood. Or perhaps you hanker for pastel perfection--the most quintessentially 50s look; ice cream sundae colours signifying youthful rebellion against the dull, dingy colours of the war years. The content is a healthy mix: explaining the cultural and social climate of the 50s that led to these designs and listing the materials that were predominantly used (plastic, plywood, synthetics and laminates). Some easy-to-make projects are thrown into the mix and the key designers are all name-checked with some superb photos of their work in modern settings.
Accessories that typify 50s style are pretty obvious: classic Dualit toasters, the worktop blender to recreate the milk bar shakes but the cultural background behind these makes for interesting reading. The quote from the Servis washer advert goes some way to remind us of the delirium they attempted to induce in housewives across the land: "Coming in a selection of gaytone colours! Guardsman red, almond green, horizon blue and lemon peel yellow teamed with white or cream." Suddenly there were appliances for every function and they came in colours to match your twin-set--surely enough to induce excitement in anyone!
As Lucien Day designs are re-launched in Habitat and Cath Kidson floral prints find their way into modern homes, it's simultaneously amusing and frustrating to witness the extent to which, as trendy young things, we're simply reclaiming the fashions of our parent's youth as our own. If that's what we want then Retro Style is the book to show us how to do it properly.--Rachel O'Connor
Product Description
This modern take on the styles of the 50s defines the retro palette, materials and patterns, and provides tips on sourcing essential furniture classics and all the accessories to recreate the 50s look in the modern home. The book includes ten simple but stunning projects.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
THIS IS MY ALL TIME FAVE BOOK, I LOVE IT SO MUCH IT'S ALWAYS CLOSE TO HAND FOR A BROWSE OR ABIT OF INSPIRATION! I BOUGHT IT AS I LOVE ALL THINGS RETRO AND KITSCH, AND FOUND IT TO HAVE GREAT PICTURES OF SOME FAB HOMES BUT ALSO GOOD, SIMPLE READING TOO! IT'S GIVEN ME SO MANY IDEAS AND HAS BEEN SHARED ROUND FRIENDS TIME AND AGAIN, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT HOME DESIGN OF THE FIFTIES THAT IS SO SIMPLE BUT STILL SO COOL.
IF YOU LOVE HOME INTERIOR MAGS, RETRO DINERS AND ATOMIC PRINTS THEN THIS BOOK WILL HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN YOUR HEART JUST AS IT DOES IN MINE.
IF YOU LOVE HOME INTERIOR MAGS, RETRO DINERS AND ATOMIC PRINTS THEN THIS BOOK WILL HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN YOUR HEART JUST AS IT DOES IN MINE.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is a great hip living guide. It offers great projects and step by step instructions. The look is retro but I would say its hip and happening now!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Pretty Pictures, Poor Projects
1 Jun 2003
Format:Paperback
The historical information and pictures of classic furniture are useful and can serve as some inspiration when putting together your own 50s look. The projects in the book, however, seem like a lot of work for not a lot result, time consuming, perhaps more expensive than an equivalent purchase, and in one instance (a wall hanging from a CD sleeve) downright tacky. There are way better books on this subject (see, Pad).
17 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Great Ideas
27 Aug 2000
Format:Paperback
This book has many helpful ideas about turning modern items into retro-looking pieces. A definite help if you're in the market for something and just can't find it you can do it yourself.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Retro Remake
6 April 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's an interesting text but disappointing in its' blend of British and US mid-century modern. I had hoped for more American mid-century modern. The text borders on a craft book approach of "projects you can do at home".
I had hoped for more focus on mid-century modern classics. Would not buy again, but that is due to my error in not reading the descriptions more carefully.
I had hoped for more focus on mid-century modern classics. Would not buy again, but that is due to my error in not reading the descriptions more carefully.
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