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

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The post-ware dream home yearned for a bright new look. Inspiration came from Hawaiin shirts, the space race, atomic structures and rock & roll. Colour schemes were based on the frosted pastel hues of the milk bar, or on bold primary colours--lipstick red, canary yellow, electric blue. The materials of the modern world were vinyl and moulded plastic, plywood and lots of shiny chrome.

But the story isn't all colour and kitsch. The Scandinavian-inspired neutral palette is constantly being reinterpreted in today's homes, and abstract and graphic fabric designs by Lucienne Day are back in production. Pieces by furniture innovators such as Arne Jacobsen and Charles Eames have become design classics. Organic and ergonomic--the buzzwords of the 50s--translated into gently rounded, asymmetrical furniture, particularly chairs that fitted the body comfortably.

Retro Style defines the colour palette, the characteristic patterns and materials, and the furniture and accessories that dominated the decade in Great Britain and the USA. With 200 colour photographs that capture the essence of the look, the book shows how the key style elements work in today's home--and includes tips on sourcing furniture and accessories to re-create the 50's look, plus 10 step-by-step projects to start you off.

Retro Style is a cocktail of the best of the 50s and modern design solutions, served with a slice of style. Like rock & roll, Retro Style is here to stay.

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