With a wall of windows to take maximum advantage of attractive gardens and vistas, this open-plan living room-dining area from the mid-50s had a casual family-friendly atmosphere.
Unadorned window walls extended all along one side of the dining and kitchen area, and the sloping glass panels in the roof — like skylights — allowed for the utmost use of sunlight and sky.
A planter built into the floor inside the window wall seemingly extended the garden into the house. Wood-paneled walls and the ceiling in the living area amplified the natural setting.
The living room contained an expandable dining space — just move out the brown teak drop-leaf table, and pull up a few more chairs.
In the central area, the marbleized linoleum floor was black with white dots — and in the aqua blue kitchen at the end of the space, the color scheme was reversed.
The white oval rug on the dark linoleum floor gave some color contrast, and tied in with the polka dot accents.
A paneled folding screen, hinged to the fireplace wall, could close off the kitchen from the living room space when desired.
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The lamp “tree” could throw spotlights where needed. Another dramatic lighting effect was created by highlighting the wooden bald eagle who presided over this new-style American room from his spot to the right of the simple fireplace.
Over the mantel, on the wood-paneled fireplace wall, was a simple container that could be filled with seasonal greenery.
Accenting the fireplace glow were the warm colors of the furnishings — there was a heathered orange modular sofa in a long configuration, plus three modern wooden chairs with rust-red fabric slings.
The coffee table with three rounded edges represented a very popular trend back in the fifties, and you can even buy new versions of a similar triangular modern-style coffee table.
