New York City Apartment---Feng Shui Style?
Revisit decorating in the 70's...
I imagine this is what a New York City Apartment might have looked like in the '70's. When I think back, it was such a simple time. Those fun old refridgerators (one is now sitting as a focal point in a New York City Gallery--it DOES catch your eye :), a tea or coffee pot always nearby (in case company stopped over which they often did), bright colors and I have no doubt that if you walked in the next room you would find a Lava Lamp somewhere.
This picture was taken in MOMA (The Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art) in New York City. They have an entire floor dedicated to "Retro" and you'll find things like Peter Max posters, old time lamps and kitchenware. Just what your average New York City apartment looked like back then.
Today, the color choices remind me a bit of the way the set decorators created "riends"TV set. I am in so many neutral homes and businesses, maybe it's time to revisit the '70's.
*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant for New York, Queens and Long Island since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island & New York. http://www.TheFengShuiVoice.com
That picture does remind me of the 60's. Maybe like looking at the kitchen in "Leave it to Beaver".
It's always great to re-visit the past. We will most likely go back to SOME of these things but not all.
Style is a cycle and it goes round and round.
Ah-I do miss NYC. Styles continue to change as people come and go. Do you think TV has anything to do with it?
Maybe the 60's but I am telling my age!!!
your friend in Charlottesville Virginia!
Bill, I miss the colors! We have over-neutralized I believe.
Virginia, Interesting that you said that, I am finding more and more of my clients using colors in wonderful ways...
Harry, When I watch an old episode of "Friends" they have chosen some offbeat colors that end up working so well together. Many of my clients want to see more color in their lives. And I too love New York City!
Charles, I hate to reveal MY age but I have to say, the 6-'s were fun...and honestly, the MUSIC was so much better!
Carole - This picture reminds me of a little chest of pictures that once belonged to my mother. My folks stayed in the same home for more than three decades. The pictures showed the transformation of our kitchen from the 1940s shade of hospital green, and the old stove, and ice box, to the turquoise of the 1950s, and a refrigerator model from that decade. Then on to the 1960s, and carpet tile floors, and big flowered wallpaper. . .and on to the 70s, which were horrible looking years. How can anyone use polyester and butcher block formica in a kitchen:-)
Carole - What a great photo ! The 70s rocked ! You got to love the decor and the styles from the 70s ! I would not be surprised if retro is back in style !
Carole, in the 70's I lived in a 5th floor walk up on 83rd and Madison. And that was my fridge - though mine was white. There was a Rya rug, a George Kovaks lamp, a lava lamp and no closets. I love the memories your photo brings back. I'll have to see that exhibit when I go back to New York!
Hi Carole-What a great photo. Reminds me of either Leave it to Beaver or The Honeymooners. Thank you for sharing the retro pic with us. Have a wonderful Sunday. :-)
What a neat picture! But it truly looks more like the late '50s early '60s to me. In fact ... well, never mind. I'm already feeling old today, no need to exacerbate the feeling. LOL What is old is always new again - especially for those generations that have no clue as to what that pink box with the handle on it is. LOL
Hi Carole !
Vibrant colors seem to have disappeared in general these days, but to the fault of often becoming too bland.
This is a fun picture !!
Cheers :o)
I Love this ..The colors POP..I think that is why they call it POP ART..or is that popular art ?? either way I like it...
Hi Carole, I think that the colors of the 70's and the decor are fantastic. It was a fun time, as this picture shows. We had shifted to neutrals, with no character, but it seems now people are beginning to experiment with a bit of color and fun.
Carole
Love the post; I remember those "kelvinator" refrigerators and those 70"s kitchens. I like all the products on the table and I am still trying to figure out what kind of building that is in the window next to the geranium.
Hey, Carole. You are right, it is an eye catcher. Thanks for sharing, Jim
LOL Carole - brings back great memories and found myself humming Barbara Streisands song when reading your post :)
ah - the way things were...scattered pictures- can it be it was so simple then ?......thanks for sharing - next time we're in NY will go see this @ MOMA !
Sincerely,
Grace
Carole,
You're right, we really do need to start adding some color back into our lives and designs. Almost every home I visit lately is either white walls or beige. I love to try and throw in a red or black accent color, these two colors usually work with beige.
The picture is great. I remember glass coke bottles from the 1970's.
-Kate
The picture looked more 50's to me the the pink fridge. I love it just the same. In the 1980's I found a signed Peter Max poster rolling down the street during a Westheimer Arts Festival. I wish I still had it but a bad BF stole it many years ago. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
;)
HI Carole! Retro and these colors will be back in 2010. I recently heard Sherwin Williams color forecast in So Calif for 2010 and it is a bit of the future and past. One of the color grouping "Refresh" has these colors in it!!
I miss color too Carole. But I have also been in some homes that have embraced color that is way too intense The 70s had a variety of unfortunate color choices too. Avacado comes to mind.
Carole--What a cool retro collage! You are so lucky to be in an area with so many wonderful art museums. Thanks for sharing the vibrant colors of the 60's and 70's.
I enjoy looking at that picture. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I was in a store yesterday and saw clothing and purses that could have just as easily been hanging in my closet in 1969, Earrings, belts, they were all there...furnishings are usually not far behind the fashions, and if you look at back to school stuff, or "dorm life" furnishings, you see the same stuff. Graffiti, peace signs, paisleys...then come the movies...like Woodstock! I am not looking forward to seeing Harvest Gold or Avocado appliances...
Mryly, Thank you for sharing the memories. Our home too went through many transofrmations over the years and I sometimes still miss the shag carpets :)
Christopher and Stephanie, I loved the colors we used; they seem to have disappeared these days. I use many colors when working with my clients and they love them.
Patricia, You would love the exhibit, the whole floor is Peter Max, Andy Warhol and furniture from that time. I still have a lava lamp but don't tell anyone :)
Pat, I think it was closer to "Father knows Best" :) The Honeymooners was in black and white so I never knew if they had color :)
Carol, The floor was devoted to the late 60's or early 70's so I thought it was from that era. No matter when it was, I miss it! We used color back then in a way we have lost!
Sheldon, I was just in a beautiful home...all beige. Every room. When I asked her why she said it would go with other colors but she hadn't added any other colors. She will be now and I'll bet she is going to love it.
Hannah, I believe it was Pop Art...and well named :) The painters I used when re-doing my house could not believe my color choices (and he thought he'd seen it all).
Sandy, I am a huge proponent of bringing color back to our spaces--and our lives. I encourage my clients to do it also if they are painting and they tell me if feels so good after.
Tom, Funny you would say that, I was wondering the same thing too. It must have some kind of significance but I can't think what it is.
Jim, I loved it...and somehow miss the era it came from. I have my fake LOVE poster from Peter Max, though :)
Grace, I think it was so simple then. Look at all the things we do and stress over now that we never would have thought about back then. Thanks for the memories!
Kate, I know, I've seen those homes. I'm always happy when called for a color consult and we can start to add color again which always makes my clients feel SO good.
Betina, I have a fake Peter Max Love poster...I can't imagine what your signed one was worth! That was someone who used color brilliantly!
Cathy, I am SO glad to hear that. I've been bringing my clients back to colors they haven't even thought of and they all love it. I have lots of colors in my house now, too.
Paddy, This room gave me a nostalgic feel....very retro and I loved it. I have a light sage in the bathroom (not avacado but pretty).
Teri, Can you believe these refrigerators are going for money now and being restored? It was amazing to see on used ina display in NYC.
Melody, Thank you...it seemed to spark a lot of people who remember back then.
Cheryl, I know, the clothing is very popular here. Tie Dye is back in a big way...If I weren't so old I'd be wearing it myself :)
Carole I was not here during the 60s and 70s but I have seen homes that have been stuck in that period. As Paddy mentioned there were some colors that should never be repeated.
Like you I so appreciate the exhibits at MOMA.
Congratulations on being number 1 in NY state.
We had a fridge like that when I was growing up, but it was powder blue. I loved the appliances back then.
I wouldn't mind one of those now, along with some other colourful things.
I know a bunch of people who have bought new appliances made to look retro. They're great and very popular (again).
That is so cute. You're right about today's homes (and cars) being rather bland when it comes to color.
I dislike retro. I also read your comment about over-neutralizing. I'd rather have a neutral color on the walls and use wall hangings, pictures, and plants to color up the place.