So, to keep it short and sweet, I thought I would scan and share these two images from a Home improvement magazine from 1954. The article (if you click on them you can read them) is about expanding into the attic. What I find so interesting is the bravery and single minded focus of such interior design. There is no wishy washy attitude here. There is a theme, a color palette and they go all out.
As I have mentioned before, the more I am exposed to vintage images and magazines, the more my own esthetic has changed. I know view these vinyl or linoleum floors in a new light. They allow endless design possibilities and must be a treat to vacuum and mop.
I might actually steal the idea from the little boys room for the aquarium build in. I love vintage aquariums (though they are hard to come by and are quite expensive) and look how clever this one is built in. Especially for goldfish, as you can enjoy them head on in a traditional aquarium manner, or from the top, such as you would a koi pond. Though, such a setup would not be good if you have cats.
I hope this little article provides a fun diversion for a small and late post today. Happy Homemaking to all.
Interesting images.
ReplyDeleteI live in an apartment that has tile floors throughout. As far as cleaning goes, it's very easy (sweep daily, wipe down or mop weekly). BUT it's really scary when my toddler falls down, which toddlers will do. If I were to have hard floors in a child's bedroom, I would make a point of having rugs alongside the bed just in case they fell out during the night. The rugs would also be handy because so much indoor play works best on the floor, and sitting on a hard floor is terribly uncomfortable (how I miss floor cushions!). A rug would really help with floor play.
Funny that you should mention this type of flooring. We are looking to replace the flooring in our lower level living room. I suggested to my husband that I wanted linoleum and he balked at first. But the practicality of the flooring is winning him over. Besides, it will be perfect with the existing decor. We have knotty pine on the ceiling and wainscot. Although knotty pine would not have been our first choice, it is acceptable and since it can be a bear to tear it out, we have decided to keep it. I think a hunter green linoleum floor will look great and be so much easier to keep up. It will give us an "at the cabin" feel all year.
ReplyDeleteMrs. N.
Those rooms are adorable! I especially like the all purpose room. Makes me wish my house had an attic!
ReplyDeletetry marmoleum. It is a natural "linoleum" and is actually like what they used to use before vinyl.
ReplyDeleteThanks sara, will check it out. Linoleum is actually pretty green I guess (though expensive today to make I guess) here is the definition via Wikipedia: Linoleum (informally abbreviated to lino) is a floor covering made from renewable materials such as solidified linseed oil (linoxyn), pine rosin, ground cork dust, wood flour, and mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate, most commonly on a burlap or canvas backing; pigments are often added to the materials.
ReplyDeleteThe finest linoleum floors, known as 'inlaid', are extremely durable; they were made by joining and inlaying solid pieces of linoleum. Cheaper patterned linoleums came in different grades or gauges, and were printed with thinner layers which were more prone to wear and tear. Good quality linoleum is sufficiently flexible to be used in buildings in which more rigid material (such as ceramic tile) would crack.
My own aesthetic calls for wood floors, but if one were living in a 50s house & trying to reproduce 50s kitsch authentically, linoleum is perfect. If I lived in a 50s house, I'd go all out with authentic 50s decor throughout, especially in the kitchen, but I do see it as an all-or-nothing endeavour.
ReplyDeleteI love built-ins & they are so well-done in that boy's room. The desk, the little snack table, the big, comfy window seat for reading, and the storage drawers underneath, not to mention the nifty aquarium, make excellent use of space. I'm impressed. The cork board, and hooks for sports gear are all very practical and charming. The style does not seem in the least dated to me; it would work for a boy today just as well as half a century ago. The one element that seems impractical & incongruous is the vase w/dried leaves in it. Most moms I know wouldn't put something that breakable in a 10 yr old boy's room!
In the girls' room, I like the built-ins, especially the useful nooks next to the beds, and I love murals in kids' rooms (in any room, actually). But, how can I put this delicately, I could live without the pea soup green ruffles everywhere. But I love the twins' plaid jumpers & patent leather shoes.
The all-purpose room leaves me a bit cold, just not my taste, but I concede it is practical with the bar, piano, chairs, coffee table, and telly.
I love looking at these old magazine pages -- must search for some in local antique shops.