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1950s graphic design was dominated by American innovations inspired by European Avante-Garde modern approaches. Because of this interesting development, several influential designers emerged, and American designers created a unique style during the period. Fashion designers like Calvin Klein ushered in an era of minimalism, favoring clean lines, neutral colors, and natural beauty.
Layout in Mid-Century Graphic Design
While every attempt at accuracy has been made, the Timeline is a work in progress. Though he lived an astonishingly short life, James Dean had an undeniable influence on men’s fashion in the 1950s. Starring in only three movies within one year, Dean was killed in a car accident at the age of 24 in 1955. But his portrayal of Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause (Figs. 21-22) left an indelible mark of men’s fashion.
Nix the oven? A skinny fridge? Tips on designing a tiny kitchen in your ADU
Different bungalow types like Craftsman or Tudor have unique design elements, setting them apart from other home styles. Additionally, ranch houses usually emphasize large windows and spacious patios, whereas bungalows are known for their charming front porches or verandas. Understanding these architectural distinctions can help homeowners make informed decisions when choosing between ranch houses and bungalows. Over time, engineered wood is prone to dents, scrapes, and wear, particularly in high-traffic areas or homes with pets. The top layer of engineered wood can't undergo refinishing as frequently as solid hardwood, potentially necessitating replacement sooner in heavily used spaces.
interior design and decorating style — 7 major trends
Office Design Trends Through the Decades - Architectural Digest
Office Design Trends Through the Decades.
Posted: Thu, 28 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
As evidenced by the instant appeal of "The Jetsons" in the early sixties, robots were a popular toy for children and many homes hosted collections of these fun metal, sometimes ambulatory, toys in the decade leading up. It seems like just about everyone who lived through the 1950s was obsessed with atomic and space age vibes, reflecting a culture on the cusp of scientific breakthroughs in both energy and warfare. This aesthetic filtered down to distinctively space-age shapes bedecking everything from dish ware and décor to outdoor fencing.
When it comes to floors for your 1950s kitchen, it doesn't get more classic than a checkered tile floor. While designer Kelly Shannon stuck with a classic color combination in this tropical space, we give you our full permission to experiment with color. If you want to give your modern kitchen a slightly retro edge, add furniture that was manufactured in the 1950s. For example, this kitchen from Arbor & Co. features two plastic molded chairs that were made popular by Charles and Ray Eames. Consider adding a retro backsplash to your setup, as seen in this kitchen from Oak Story Design.

Dresses were usually floor-length, and fabrics such as silk, taffeta, and lace were commonly used. This was the era of the cocktail dress and sumptuous accessories, such as elbow-length gloves and pearl necklaces. If the postwar lady got her New Look from Dior, the post-war gentleman was treated by tailors on Savile Row to the New Edwardian look—a slim-cut suit, sometimes three pieces, and sometimes with a velvet collar. Jackets were single-breasted and accessories came by way of bowler hats and silver-capped canes. In the first part of our Design Through the Decades series, we looked at how Modernism developed through five decades and survived two World Wars to become the dominant doctrine of design worldwide.
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In the bustling decade of the 1950s, fashion served as a canvas reflecting the societal shifts and cultural movements post-World War II. The era saw a juxtaposition of conformity in style with undercurrents of rebellion and the democratization of high fashion, making it a defining period in fashion history. Teenagers created their own fashion subculture, with influences stemming from the Teddy Boys, who embraced a rebellious look inspired by the dandies of the Edwardian period. Cropped jackets, high-waisted trousers, and crepe-soled shoes known as brothel creepers manifested their defiance against the conservative post-war society. The 1950s were a transformative time for fashion, marked by the work of several standout designers who shaped the elegance and glamour of the decade. The silhouette put forth by Christian Dior in his 1947 New Look Corelle Line collection dominated the 1950s.
The 1950s also saw the beginning of the Cold War era, the birth of television, and the heyday of advertising. The culture was heavily influenced by the philosophical and artistic outlook of designers who had fled Europe for the US during the war and helped to reshape American art and design. Geometric shapes, distinct outlines, and bold and muted tones fill this collection of novelty mid-century patterns. The designs include geometric pattern squares, triangles, and other abstract shapes. It also comes with Hessian and torn paper textures so you can turn any of the papers into a pattern background texture, which elevates your design with an even more authentic look. When choosing the proper lighting for this particular design style, several options are available.
The 1950s were known for swanky barware and martinis-for-lunch office culture. A sleek bar cart is an excellent addition to any space that will offer both storage and display. Look for vintage carts on wheels or more modern renditions in gold and chrome. Checkerboard patterns are growing in popularity, once again gracing the floors of modern kitchens and baths. While the dimensions of a large print may be overpowering for a smaller room, a scaled-down rendition or black and white diamond pattern would make a great alternative. Increased availability of affordable appliances and the financial boom at the end of WWII brought state-of-the-art kitchens within reach of the middle class.
It also witnessed the discipline align with other professional creative fields such as architecture and industrial design. American graphic designer David Carson is credited with introducing grunge into graphic design. Famously self-taught, Carson used experimental typography to spectacular effect in his designs for Ray Gun, a Californian alternative music magazine. While we now engage with design on screens as much (or more) as print, the last half of the 20th century has paved the way for digital design as we know it. Read on to discover how, as well as the movements and styles that shaped the look of recent decades.
Furniture designers, architects, and product designers also began to create work that we now recognize as Mid-Century Modern. This movement looked to combine sleek lines with organic shapes, balancing modernity and naturalism. Designers like Ray and Charles Eames, Florence Knoll, and Verner Panton embraced the optimistic Mid-Century Modern style wholeheartedly, bringing out a more humanist and whimsical side to Modernism’s hard edges.
Much like the other big furniture pieces, you want your 1950s couch to be low on the ground. Try to match the wood color of your coffee table to that of the rest of the furnishings. A round coffee table will give the corners in your midcentury living room a welcomed break, while a rectangular coffee table will complement the rest of a 1950s room. Either way you go, stick to your personal preference and you can never go wrong. Instead of a bulky Lazy Boy, use a 1950s armchair for a second place of seating in your living room. Look for armchairs with wooden armrests for an even cleaner and authentic look.
For a Scandinavian design influence, consider pieces like Wegner's Wishbone chair by Carl Hansen & Son, known for its organic shape and natural materials, perfect for creating a retro ambiance in your home. Blending vintage and modern furniture pieces in your home to embrace the iconic Mid-Century Modern design can lead you to various sources for finding authentic 1950s home decor. When hunting for genuine pieces from the 1950s era, consider exploring vintage stores, retro furniture shops, and estate sales known for housing retro treasures.
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