retro living books

Like many others I love vintage and retro home style. For my future place I'll be going for mid century modern masculine pad combined with the retro house-wife chic. These are some of my favourite books that I am always flicking through for inspiration and resourceful ideas.

My favourite book is Mid-Century Modern by Bradley Quinn.  Its a summery of all the most influential design creations of the 50-70s. It has great pictures and detail of Textiles, metal work, furniture and home design layouts.

 I love retro prints; the use of colour and non-uniformed shapes seems brave and more modern then what you  find in a lot of work today.

 I love the long wood table top with the metal legs (below). I have bought a long metal white dining table myself because it was a bargain for £5 and I thought I could add a plywood top to it, but thats another project for another day. Problem is I have to find a flat that can fit a 6 seater table, that is within my budget. I'd be lucky!

Metal ware..

I want a 50s sideboard just like that in the background. They are easily found in 2nd hand furniture shops, obviously some better than others but they go for only £20-40. But I'm holding back til I know what size I can go for!

 Now, this book is so informative, so clever and must have been quite controversial for its time. It was first published in 1956 a time when women were mainly the wife and home maker and it acknowleged the thousands of young women out there who were Living Alone and were loving their indepedence.

This book tells you how to make the most of a small space.  Ingenious ways of creating rooms with in rooms but having space, how to place a bed in a living room and disguise unsightly T.Vs.  My favourite chapters have to be Vary Your Meals As You Would Your Dress and Hospitality: Men And All That.  

This is one of my favourite ideas; using an old door, 4 legs and a few handmade cushions and make your self a little entertaining seat. Love the idea of the little cupboard  used a drink cabinet. I may have to try this!

This book is one of my proudest finds, I found it in a book shop in Leicester that has been around for years and years absolutely rammed with books.  It was tucked away in the art section. Its tilted 'Decorative Art in Modern Interiors 1966/67'.  This range of books covers many years and I've seen some books going for £60 on eBay. So I will try to look after this!

I do love a task lamp and I love the look of an oversized industrial style pendant over a dining table.

Beautiful textiles used for chairs, quilts and rugs.

 I want that lounge chair (bottom right), it would be great in a muted lime green.

These magazines I found on eBay, they were published in 1956 and 57.  They are full of  DIYs, modern machines for the home, dress making and love stories.

And just like now a days they were full of adverts but a lot more interesting to read.