In addition to running our design business, Shannon is also a real estate agent. Occasionally, there is real estate/design cross-over. Such was the case with her most recent transaction, this 1970’s home. A comfort from early childhood, memories of their parents all combined to make the wish list of our most recent buyers, dear friends, newly married, first home purchased together. From a sunken living room, a wood burning stove to beamed details these are were a few of the must haves for them. Most buyers seem to bypass these homes entirely, but she intuitively knew that our clients were on the crest of a new wave, they always seem to be ahead of the curve in anything that they set out to do. We found it! Tucked into trees on a secluded street, a cabin of a 1971 home. While some previous owners decided to turn it into what can only be described as having an English pub vibe, there are enough skeleton parts to bring it back to what it was.
The philosophy behind the 70’s architecture was guided by much of what we as a culture and world community are facing now. Economic upheaval, recession with a dose of social change, renewed appreciation for the environment, high unemployment rates and women’s rights. Designed with a nod to the past, many homes were inspired by the California Bungalow yet altered into what we commonly refer to as the ranch. Similar to International style, these ranch houses really don’t include much “style” at all — they were designed to look to the future – not to the past – for their inspiration. It was the style of the “anti-style”. Which now is ironic as the style of the 1970’s is immediately recognizable.
For fun, we have included a checklist put together by Apartment Therapy (an article almost 10 years old!). Yet, we find it pertinent to today.
Which one of these resonate with you right now?
A 1970s Checklist
Crafts revival and hippiedom (macramé. string art, embroidered wall hangings, afghans)
Victoriana (e.g. Laura Ashley)
Scandinavian teak and pine
Sleek plastics and high-tech materials
Avocado green and harvest gold appliances
Bold patterns and prints (flocked wallpaper, flower prints)
Stacked stone fireplace and stone walls
Timbered ceiling beams
Exposed brick walls
Terracotta tiles and hardwood flooring
Metal (chrome, polished steel)
Geometric shapes and lines
Thick and chunky masculine furniture
Fiber optic lights
Wood paneling
Skylights
Atriums
Indoor gardens
Fireplaces with elevated hearths
Big windows and lots of glass
Wall-to-wall carpeting
Sunken living rooms
Floating staircases
Wicker furniture
Shag rugs
Earth tones: brick, rust, sand, avocado, harvest gold
Brightly colored furniture
Orange
