I just thought this image from an ad in one of my 50’s magazines did a good job of showing another way the ‘Early American’ look was expressed. It almost has a ‘modern country’ look to it with the clean lines of the sofa with it’s bold plaid paired with the Windsor chair. The old bench as a coffee table is darling and I love the bold use of the bright wallpaper and the complimentary color of the solid green three tiered curtains.Another aspect of this photo that is telling of the times (the early 1950’s) is the vast farmed field across the way. This home might very well be sharing their side of the street with many similar houses built on old farm land. And most likely that view across the street will change by the 1960’s as the building boom continues and farm land is converted to sub-division. A pretty prospect from their window now, though and I love their ‘woody station wagon’ in the drive. The entire scene makes me want to put on the fire and sip cocoa. It did a good job of not making me dread our coming winter.
This is a great article from an October issue of Better Homes and Gardens from 1954. It gives three recipes and ideas on how to use up those late summer vegetables in the garden in a fun way. I think I shall try these. Simply click on them for a full size view.
Enjoy and Happy Homemaking.
I remember the Early American look: it went right through the 70's! It was pretty, and I was sorry to see it go out of style.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo, though it makes me very, very envious of those farther North than I. Last week we had 107 degree weather, I would like nothing more than a cozy cold setting like that!
ReplyDeleteMy parents--my mom now, have a coffee table like that. It is a cool pic.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture!I love it.It confirms for me that i was on the right track when considering a new decorating style.Our house was built in the early 90's & has a very country sort of style to it.For eg:lots of wood panelling & stained wooden cupboards in the kitchen,so i knew that an atomic sort of style wouldn't suit at all so was leaning towards a vintage country look instead so this pic is really helpful & yes i think it does really promote that warm & cosy feeling.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing it.I don't suppose you have any more like it that i could see?I would be very grateful if you do.
I used to have my hubby's grandmother's kitchen set in our old dining room, it was from the 70's but this wood set definitely had the early American feel about it.
ReplyDeleteLove the pic, it makes you want to curl up on that sofa with a cup of java or cocoa and look out the picture window :)
Mom in Canada
Mary R-in some ways, the early american just morphed into Spanish style in the 70's then Victorian in the 80;s and then into a more pure realistic form of 'country' in the 90's to today, I feel.
ReplyDeleteI have really found myself enamored of the Early American style, mainly because my old home is not really suitable to many mid-century modern things, though I think with the 50's esthetic one can mix them. That is why I liked the clean modern lines of this sofa yet it was treated with a bold interpretation of plaid.
Cedar-I always think I would like warm weather year round, but I do love Autumn and the snow of winter. However I would NEVER like 104 temps. We are lucky it never really gets past the 80's here in the summer. Usually August can be a bit warmer but this year we had lovely 70's in August. I think the ocean breezes keep us low. When we lived in Boston, I could literally feel the temp drop as we approached the bridge to the Cape and always felt a little sigh. I love city life but find it oppressive in the summer. Spring and Autumn in the city are wonderful but summer and winter in the country are more magical. Although a snowfall on a shopping day in the winter is very magical as well. I don't know why I am going on about weather!
Mrs. Cleaver-I have been collecting up and paper-clipping pages of my old books/magazines of this style. I really find I like it. In fact, as part of the redo of the website I am working on I even started another little side blog specifically to deal with the images and esthetic's of the early american style. I only have one post now and no one has really seen it as the new site is not up yet. I thought it might be fun to just have it be the collecting ground for those images and ideas.
Sounds great!I look forward to seeing it,thanks for letting me know :)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds wonderful. Autumn is always my favorite time of year, and usually it doesn't reach such scorching temperatures, but I would love a little more variety in my seasons!
ReplyDeleteI also noticed the three tiered curtains, what a great idea! I’ve never seen it before, but wish I could incorporate it in my home.
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