See how gazebos became one of America’s favorite outdoor retreats with a look back at some vintage styles and backyard designs!
Vintage homes & gardens
These vintage tips to identify antique silver come from the 1940s – and include diagrams, descriptions and photos of lots of vintage silverwork.
Step into the past with this 1950s dream house — a nostalgic paradise featuring an indoor pool, spacious living areas and other comforts unique to the era!
Remember these vintage above-ground pools – the kind that were big enough to actually swim in, but that you didn’t need to dig a big hole for?
Explore the charm of 1950s vintage Pyrex — discover the colors, patterns and history behind these treasured kitchen classics.
With space-age design elements like starbursts and swooshes, and the large backplates, some of the most popular mid-century modern door knobs were absolutely iconic, and easy to recognize.
Take some time to peek back at these vintage clocks, in both traditional & mod designs – classic elements of retro and midcentury home decor styles of the 50s, 60s & 70s!
These retro yellow kitchens – in all their buttery, warm and sunny splendor – are here for the midcentury home decor enthusiast to appreciate!
Vintage oilcloth, a durable material traditionally made by coating canvas or linen with linseed oil to create a waterproof surface, has a storied history for household use, and was especially popular back in the 1940s and 1950s.
This unusual home in the hills of Oakland, California is tree house – with a modernist design – belonging to Dave Brubeck, known as ‘Mr. Jazz’ to his fans.
Explore the history and enduring charm of kitchen pass-through windows, a design trend that transformed home layouts from the 1950s to today.
That characteristic mid-century modern flair — with an abundance of color, clean lines and geometric patterns — translated perfectly in these examples of 1950s Christmas wall decorations
This new, revolutionary wall-mounted refrigerator and freezer that hangs from the wall is a completely new and advanced concept of modern living. Truly, it is the most convenient and magnificent refrigerator-freezer ever produced!
Step back and time and enjoy these charmingly vintage Christmas scenes celebrations from the 1940s through the 1970s, showing holidays that were picture perfect.
See 40 vintage breakfast nooks that brought warmth to kitchen corners, through photos and illustrations from the 20th century – showcasing a blend of nostalgic charm and practical design.
Take a look at popular carpet options in the 1950s. Then scroll on for some modern-day mid-century modern carpet options you can buy right now!
50s phones were more than just a means of communication — they were pretty household decorations!
Vintage accordion doors like these were popular – and affordable – home improvements that almost anyone could install. Take a look back at some old-fashioned folding door styles!
Backyard decks have become a staple of American architecture for relaxation and socializing. See dozens of different deck designs from the second half of the 20th century here.
These gorgeous vintage in-ground swimming pools go beyond the basic – with unusual shapes, specialty finishes, and other refreshingly retro ideas.
Back in the 1950s and 60s, the American Dream could be had – affordably and in style – if people wanted to buy mobile homes (trailers). Here’s a look at dozens of homes and parks!
These little vintage plastic wading pools were the perfect size to help introduce babies and children to water fun in the safety of their own shallow kiddie pools!
Light up your memory with some some great old home décor – more than 200 antique and vintage table lamps from the beginning of the twentieth century to its end!
It might feel like people in the 50s lived in black & white. But as you can see in this collection of colorful 1950s home decor photos, they lived with bright & bold hues, too.
If you’re buying a 1950s house, already live in one, or want to see how new suburban homes were designed back in the ‘Leave it to Beaver’ era, see some fantastic ’50s house plans here!
This curated collection of vintage photographs invites you to explore the classic charm of screened-in porches, patios, lanais, and pool enclosures from bygone decades.
From neatly organized tool racks to clever storage solutions, these 1950s (and early 60s) home workshops maximize space and productivity.
Find out the fascinating story behind the 1953 MGM film ‘The Long, Long Trailer,’ starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz – and see inside the real-life motorhome trailer they bought at the time!
Have you ever marveled at the charm and character of antique secretary desks? Let’s take a dive into the world of these stunning, multifunctional pieces!
These retro laundry rooms have decor so fresh they could influence the modern versions! Take a look back at these washer and dryer areas from yesteryear.
Here’s a look back at some authentically vintage 1950s bedroom decor, featuring fabulous mid-century elements like colorful retro carpets, modernist furniture, and old-fashioned bedspreads.
Some vintage 1940s interior design decor trends veered into the overdone, like the ‘glam’ Hollywood-inspired look here – filled with satin, ruffles & bows.
America’s love for clean and bright clothes made these old laundry detergent brands into big business.
Who remembers when these vintage 1950s Singer sewing machines were new? One big seller was the Swing-Needle SINGER Automatic, which came in black or beige, in lovely cabinet or portable style.
From uprights to baby grands & more, these antique pianos are works of art!
These cute build-it-yourself 1950s cabins exemplify midcentury architecture and design — in a mini format.
While not as portable as hand mixers, the fact that these vintage stand mixers could stir and blend and whip on their own was a huge boon for home chefs.
Looking at these 1950s bathroom color schemes, you’ll see that the look of white, stark home decor was quickly disappearing. In its wake was a trend toward colorful designs. Take a look!
The A-frame house design is a tried and true style, and was especially popular for second homes and vacation cabins in the ’60s. See several retro A-frames here!
One 1950s designer’s choice for this golden yellow living room decor: a large-scale wallpaper pattern that had white to dress it up, plus striped window shades for added smartness.
We’ve collected photos of vintage brick fireplaces from the 1940s through the 1970s, showing these fireplaces have been integrated into decor over those inspiring mid-century decades – and still maintain their charm as the warming heart of any home.
Divide the spaces in your home with a colorful mid-century modern wood & glass dividing wall that gives a cheerful retro vibe!
Living rooms changed entirely when these vintage console stereos came on the market – they were technology and furniture all in one!
The best part of this collection of vintage calendar towels is remembering the ones from years ago – just like our moms, aunts and grandmothers used to have in their kitchens.
With a little thought and care – plus the inspiration of these lush holiday table settings of yore – you can create unforgettably nostalgic Christmas table settings that will be remembered for years to come.
While you may think celebrity endorsements are a more recent trend in advertising, that’s clearly not the case, as you can see in these Bing Crosby ads from the 40s, 50s & 60s!
Ever since the 80s, the iconic conversation pit has seemed hopelessly out-of-date. Could it be poised for a comeback?
Check out some of the ways home builders incorporated decorative concrete block designs into the walled terraces and indoor design features of mid-century modern homes.
You couldn’t tell a 50s housewife that pastel pink washers and dryers weren’t practical, or that they wouldn’t still be fashionable in a decade. The appliances were stylish and pretty right then and there, at least to millions of women at the time.
Look back at these 1950s vintage portable electric hand mixers, with the kind of removable beaters that kids loved to lick to sample delicious cake batter and cookie dough.
Having trouble figuring out the best colors for a dining room? We have some ideas for you, based on some great vintage home decor styles.
If you love the mid-century style, or want to re-create that beautiful vintage backyard feel, get 47 of the best old-fashioned patio, deck & porch ideas here for a little retro inspo.
During the height of milk glass popularity (it was a must-have in American homes from the 1920s through the 50s), 90 percent of Westmoreland’s production was the famous white glassware – and they made a lot of it.
Have you ever wondered where products like Formula 409, 7-Up, WD-40 and Preparation H got those famous vintage brand names? Find out here.
Apparently stuck for a way to make toilet paper – particularly rolls of colored toilet tissue – more attractive to ’50s housewives, advertising executives turned to the world of glamour and fashion for an assist.
We remember getting drinks in glass tumblers that looked a lot more interesting than many of the plain drinking glasses you see today. We found these fantastic vintage-style (but brand-new) glassware sets you can get now! Check them out here.
Look back at adorable vintage 1950s nursery decor and furniture from the 50s, plus get advice from interior decorators about old-school baby bedrooms.
With clean lines and gentle curves, the minimalistic mid-century modern chair will never go out of style. Make a decor statement with one of these mid-century modern armchair styles you can buy now!
In this contemporary home from the early 1950s, the beautiful red brick fireplace wall extended all the way beyond the cypress wood paneling on the high vaulted ceiling, and out over the lofty gabled slopes of the roof itself.
This minimalist dining room’s furniture was designed by mid-century modern architect T H Robsjohn-Gibbings, one of the major influencers of the contemporary era.
In the living room of this luxurious old New York City apartment, shades of rosy and shell pinks created a cheerful atmosphere for traditional furniture.
The basic simplicity of this refined living room decor, seen here as it was in the 1950s, brought out the elegance of choice European antiques – furniture with graceful lines.
A central feature of this impressive mid-century modern living room was the huge, two-story fireplace that reached right up into the very peak of the vaulted ceiling.
In this room from the mid-1950s, a striking harlequin pattern wallpaper, as dramatic as gift wrapping, lined one side of a small dining room.
Natural materials like wicker and rattan have an almost magical ability to create a tropical feel year-round, indoors and out. That was certainly the case with this lounge setup, seen here back in the mid-1950s.
In this old plantation home, renovated in the early 1950s, old carpet and old wallpaper were faithfully reproduced to help restore the glory of the original hallway, with its graceful double staircase.
This space once looked small and cluttered, but the space was cleared out and completely renovated back in the mid-1950s – and this summery blue & white 50s living room was the end result.
Here’s an idea from the 1950s: To gain year-round use from a porch, or to convert an old sunporch, why not make it into a conservatory living room or family room?
Vintage Williamsburg Restoration furnishings were used to decorate this modern semicircular dining room in a two-story-high space.
By using a colorful antique rug below a dado rail, the homeowners added so much decorative flair to this space – texture, pattern, color – and it definitely became a conversation piece.
Here’s a gorgeous home from 1959 that featured a conversation pit by a fireplace – one example of a luxurious vintage midcentury modern home admired all these decades later.
Love a nostalgic look? Check out this creative home decor from the 1950s! This cute and clever kids’ bedroom with corner bunk beds was a cozy space for two.
When this restored Victorian living room was made new again in the 1950s, the owners didn’t want to superimpose contemporary design on it, instead choosing to return it to its former glory.
This minimalist midcentury modern living room, cheerful and welcoming in character, left plenty of room for hospitality.
A room like this midcentury dining room, where you could eat in casual connection with the outdoors, underlined the biggest advantages of the relaxed suburban 1950s lifestyle.
See how little hand-painted paper was needed to endow this beautiful silver and blue vintage living room with the drama and importance of a mural.
This beautiful mid-century modern curved mosaic tile bathroom was covered floor, countertops, walls and ceiling in an elegant light green and brown combo.
The walls of a 1950s buffet/bar area were finished with flat walnut paneling. Here’s how the designers created this dining area’s real midcentury modern look!
Beautiful wood ceilings, cabinetry and trim – all with the natural grain shining through – helped define the color scheme and midcentury feel of this 1950s dining area.
This luxurious bathroom-dressing room was part of a high-end master suite built back in the 1950s, and even the most practical objects were aesthetic delights.
Porch dining – well, almost! A cheerful wallpaper mural gave this eating area off the kitchen an outdoor feeling, and the charm of a Parisian sidewalk cafe.
In this simple, budget-friendly midcentury modern living room from the 1950s, a range of colors and textures played together harmoniously.
This living room’s 7-panel diamond-patterned screen divider was painted in a variety of muted colors, and could perk up even the blandest space.
This retro room’s imaginative midcentury modern luxury style decor was the complete package: simple but luxurious, unique but functional.
This beautiful Asian-themed 1950s bathroom decor was grey, white and aqua. The room’s tiles and wallpaper shared the same Chinese motif to great visual effect.
If you’re looking to make a bedroom look a little retro, take a look at these DIY headboards with a vintage look! They may be just the inspiration you need for some old-fashioned home decor.
Want to know how to make an old rotary phone work? Here’s your handy guide, straight from the 50s!
Mid century modern kitchens were super trendy back in the 1950s! Women years ago loved their pink home decor.
Want to see what some 1950s home decor looked like? We’ve collected more than 140 mid century wallpaper samples, from classic to kitsch, and everything in between.
Beaded curtain comeback? They’ve been here for years Beaded curtains have been in use in Asian culture for over 2,000 years, gracefully partitioning spaces with
The history of fitted sheets: A revolution in bed-making A lot of people may be surprised to know that fitted sheets — ones that weren’t
We’ve rounded up 30 dramatically different examples of 1950s Christmas tree decorations — come be inspired by these lavishly decorated Christmas trees!
This gigantic collection of vintage wall paneling from mid-century (and beyond) makes for a surprisingly delightful scroll down nostalgia lane!
Remember apple head dolls – the early American craft with folk art roots that became popular again in the ’60s and ’70s? Find out how to make these shrunken apple dolls, and more about the art of dollmaking.
Take a look back at these vintage Hide-a-Bed sofa models – fold-out beds tucked into a couch to sleep guests – no spare bedroom needed.
Warm up with a look back at 30 different beautiful vintage fireplaces that were once found in homes across the US.
Whether you’re a nostalgia buff or looking for Christmas door decorations for your mid century home (or both!), we have some fun and festive ideas!
If you were a mid-century suburban kid you likely had a tubular metal swing set like one of these! Check out this nostalgia trip back to the backyards of your childhood.
