There is more than one way to create a great decor. You don't necessarily have to follow current trends or styles to have a space that you love. Sometimes, looking back instead of looking ahead can provide a solution to your style desires or at least a direction in which to proceed.
This 1950s-inspired powder room is a fun, retro space that is bound to be a conversation piece. Diner-inspired colours of red, white and black invoke an instant sense of the past. The vivid wall colour works in this small space and makes the accessories and fixtures pop.
Red is a strong wall colour that can be overpowering but can work in a space where you are not spending a lot of time. As well, the bold black and white tile flooring can also be visually overpowering, so use it in a similar kind of space if you're worried about tiring of it.
If your heart is set in the past then have fun with a retro-inspired decor. It can still be current using modern trappings designed in a retro style. Here, the shiny chrome accessories and fixtures mimic the trimmings of the famous cars of the era. It may be hard to find authentic period items but many decor items now come in fun retro styles fashioned in the designs of the past so you get the best of both worlds.
A great feature of our featured powder room is that with a new paint colour it becomes a totally different space. Canary yellow, ocean blue or even vibrant orange could work with the neutral black and white fixtures and flooring. Play with strong wall colours in small spaces like this if you're worried about making mistakes. It's an easy fix or change when needed.
HINT: Strong wall colour works best when balanced with contrasting trim. As you can see in our feature room, oversized baseboards and corner trim are used and painted in a vivid white to help break up the strong wall colour. As well, the white sink, toilet and mirror work in the same way. Keep this in mind when planning to use a strong or dark wall colour. Window and door trim as well as baseboards and cove moulding should be painted in a contrasting colour (usually, a form of white) to offset a vivid wall colour.
Bright wall colours can also work in a kitchen with light-colored cabinets because the cabinets will help balance the strong colour. Also, there usually isn't a lot of wall space in a kitchen so a pop of vivid colour can work wonders.
The spectrum in your vintage decor can range from just a hint of the past, as in our feature room, to kitschy and fun with hubcap wall art and fuzzy dice hanging in the room. Whatever floats your boat. You can have a lot of fun with a theme design like this. Photos from old magazines of icons like James Dean can be framed as wall art. Vinyl records and their covers can also be used as fun wall accessories. Car parts like driver side mirrors from a classic car can be mounted and used as vanity mirrors and so on.
Let your imagination take you wherever it may. Research the colours used in your chosen period. Take your colour cue from clothing, vehicles and of course décor and clothing fashions of the time.
Another great era that would make for an inspiring decor is Old Hollywood. Movies and movie stars from this glamourous era can be great fodder for a theme décor. Movie posters, old film reels and a bit of glam could turn a boring den or media room into a fun space in which to relax.
Again, the gamut runs from small, elegant touches of Old Hollywood to feather boas, long white gloves and faux fur furniture throws. You may even prefer to focus in on a specific movie or movie star, collecting items about that specific topic or person. Black and white images of your favourite Hollywood icon getting their star on the Walk of fame, movie stats from the past or vintage magazine clippings can all make for great decor accessories when framed or mounted for display. You might even want to add some fun items like a popcorn-making station, soda machine or vintage pinball machine.
It's fun to treasure-hunt for vintage clothing, accessories, furnishings and other paraphernalia for a theme decor. Items to collect from your chosen era may include popular movies and songs of the time, vehicles from the period, vintage clothing and iconic toys like the hula-hoop. Suddenly your room becomes a hobby and not just another room in the house.
What you do in the room can be just as important as what you see in the room. Make it an entire experience.
It's awesome to have a relationship with your home. It makes you appreciate your surroundings every day.
Connieoliver@shaw.ca
