Decorating Liveable Homes « Modern Retro Woman

Bear Rug, Optional

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on February 13th, 2012%

{The ultimate romantic getaway is right at home…}

Photo credits (all from Flickr.com): Upper left: Better Homes & Gardens, January, 1951; SaltyCotton Upper right: Household Magazine, 1952; SaltyCotton Mid-left: Better Homes and Gardens, 1961; Vintage Goodness Mid-center: Fireplace; t conway Mid-right: Better Homes and Gardens, 1961: Vintage Goodness Lower left: Better Homes . . . → Read More: Bear Rug, Optional

1961 Built-In Home Office

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on January 16th, 2012%

Better Homes and Gardens, 1961 – Built-in Office; Image courtesy of VintageGoodness on Flickr.com

I’ve been attacking paperwork all weekend. The Mister and I have been wondering if the advent of computers has actually made life more complex rather than simple.

My grandparents had a built-in desk . . . → Read More: 1961 Built-In Home Office

Vintage Shiny-Brite Tree Ornaments

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on December 12th, 2011%

When you think of vintage tree ornaments, there is a good chance that you are seeing Shiny-Brite ornaments in your mind. The Shiny-Brite company produced the most popular tree ornaments throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

According to Wikipedia, Max Eckardt started “Shiny-Bright” in 1937 with an eye toward mass production. Prior to 1937, he had . . . → Read More: Vintage Shiny-Brite Tree Ornaments

Her Taste Is All In Her Mouth

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on November 21st, 2011%

This post is part of an ongoing series on home decorating using Decorating Liveable Homes written by Elizabeth Burris-Meyer and published in 1937 by Prentice-Hall.

A room which has been decorated with good taste gives an impression of dignity and restraint…Good taste in decoration has nothing to do with expense; it is the outward expression . . . → Read More: Her Taste Is All In Her Mouth

Background Doesn't Mean Invisible

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on November 14th, 2011%

This post is part of an ongoing series on home decorating using Decorating Liveable Homes written by Elizabeth Burris-Meyer and published in 1937 by Prentice-Hall.

Planning the decoration of a room, then, means the working out, first, of suitable and pleasing color schemes and texture for the room background; second, the selection and arrangement of . . . → Read More: Background Doesn’t Mean Invisible

The Rumpus Room

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on October 24th, 2011%

This post is part of an ongoing series on home decorating using Decorating Liveable Homes written by Elizabeth Burris-Meyer and published in 1937 by Prentice-Hall.

A recreation room (also known as a rec room, rumpus room, or ruckus room) is a room used for a variety of purposes, such as parties, games and other everyday . . . → Read More: The Rumpus Room

The New Rage: Actually Using The Kitchen For, Get This, Cooking!

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on October 17th, 2011%

This post is part of an ongoing series on home decorating using Decorating Liveable Homes written by Elizabeth Burris-Meyer and published in 1937 by Prentice-Hall.

There was a charm about the glowing stove with the cat on the mat under the oven, the dimity curtains and the cuckoo clock, which differs greatly from the modern . . . → Read More: The New Rage: Actually Using The Kitchen For, Get This, Cooking!

Entertaining in the Powder Room

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on October 10th, 2011%

This post is part of an ongoing series on home decorating using Decorating Liveable Homes written by Elizabeth Burris-Meyer and published in 1937 by Prentice-Hall.

The powder room can also serve as a room in which the young people may entertain occasionally. ~ Elizabeth Burris-Meyer

Canon towel advertisement, McCall's Magazine, 1959; Image courtesy of . . . → Read More: Entertaining in the Powder Room

Guests as Lab Rats

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on October 3rd, 2011%

This post is part of an ongoing series on home decorating using Decorating Liveable Homes written by Elizabeth Burris-Meyer and published in 1937 by Prentice-Hall.

Since the supposition is that the guest will not be staying over a long period, new items of decoration, within reason, of course, may be tried out in this room. . . . → Read More: Guests as Lab Rats

Decorating a Room is Child’s Play

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on September 26th, 2011%

This post is part of an ongoing series on home decorating using Decorating Liveable Homes written by Elizabeth Burris-Meyer and published in 1937 by Prentice-Hall.

The grace of hospitality may be acquired at an early age, if the child feels that his room is a place in which he may entertain his friends. ~ Elizabeth . . . → Read More: Decorating a Room is Child’s Play