Design History - Mid Century Modernism

The interiors were changing each decade during mid century modernism,
  & was recognised as the era of significant design movement in 
architecture, furniture & graphic design. (source) 

1933-1965

I have decided to look at the interiors 
of residential homes of the 40's, 50's & 60's

Top Left: Typical 1940's kitchen, Top Right: Living room,

Bottom Left: Bathroom, Colour Scheme,

Bottom Right: Radio was listened to by all the family, Trolley for serving teas.

The 1940's was the decade of World War II and people became accustomed to war rationing,  therefore some homes furniture, was repaired or you'd 'make do' with what you had.  Housewives often took up needlework, which would result in cheaper produced accessories for the home.  

Families would listen to the radio which was dominated by talk shows rather than listening to music of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Glenn Miller and the Big Band Dance music. source

Post war it became known as the 'vintage & nostalgic' period,  

a noticeable 'mix & match look' of art deco and English revival.  

   Floral patterns in curtains, wallpapers and furniture upholstery became popular.  Flooring would be either wood floors, tiles or linoleum source 

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Top Left: Pastel diner style kitchen, Top Right: TV was a new addition to living rooms, 50's style TV Bottom Left: Peach bathroom suite, 

 Pastel Colour scheme, Bottom right:Oven SMEG 

When we reminisce the 1950's interior, the classic American diner look kitchens and large fridges comes to mind(SMEG).  In the early fifties TV's were the new additions for living rooms, families would watch TV programmes such as 'I love Lucy', 'What's my line?' 'Adventures of Robin Hood' and the children's favourite 'Watch with mother'.   Living rooms became a little more open plan with furniture pieces used for partitions (notice the shelving unit in the black and white photo above).  The colour scheme became softer pastel colours throughout the home, bathrooms also became colour coordinated suites in pastel colours.   It was a time of 'out with the old and in with the new' source  

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Top left: Formica fitted kitchens, Top middle: Retro look lounge, Top right: Andy Warhol Art,
Colour scheme, Bottom Right: Bathroom depicting pop art colour,  Right:Trimline phones

In the 60's a fitted kitchen was a 'must have'.  The units were mainly made out of wood or metal which had to be painted.   Kitchens had more work tops and storage spaces and a product called 'Formica' (which was invented in 1912) was used to cover units as it was easier to keep clean and maintain.   Living rooms became more minimal with large chimney breasts made from stone, brick or wood panelling, making it a focal point in the room.  Colour scheme became more earthy with the the added orange tones which became very popular colour.
The Bakelite telephones were replaced by Trimline phones in the 60's.  
 It was the time of the Hippy culture, were people who were dissatisfied on how they had been brought up by their parents beliefs & ways.   They were mainly dropouts of society,  and it all began in America which spread to Canada & Britain.  They had their own distinctive lifestyle, which could be explained as an ethnic style. Art by Andy Warhol was renown in the 60's, it became known as 'Pop Art'.  Famous celebrities of America were his subjects in his paintings such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Marlon Brandon 
and his objects were the dollar bill, 
Campbell soup cans and coca-cola to name a few.   

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Left:40's Style Kitchen  Middle: A 'make do' chair Right: Get that 40's look for your bathroom

Left: the perfect nook for the diner look Middle:Chimney breast being the focus Right:Simple, yet a twist of the 50's

Left:A fresh 60's kitchen look Middle:I love orange! Right: A beautiful pink inspired bathroom - the carpet!