BG Library: LHJ Book of Interior Decoration

I recently visited my aunt in Indianapolis and found this book hiding in her stacks.  These images are from the Ladies Home Journal Book of Interior Decoration, copyright 1957.  The book originally belonged to my grandmother, who in the late ’50s was trying to expand her perception of what stylish home furnishings could look like.  According to my aunt, my grandmother didn’t like new modern, clean lines, but she thought this book might teach her to like them.  And it is fairly informative.

By the beginning of the present century, haste and mass production had reduced the general taste in home furnishings to a very low point.  The importance of charm and beauty in everyday surroundings had almost disappeared and the words cheap and ugly were practically synonymous.  A few architects, designers, and artists felt that this could not go on, and put forth two new important ideas. The first was that copies and adaptations older designs were no longer suitable for an age of inventions and innovations.  The second, though this did not bear fruit until much later, was that inexpensive and mass-produced objects could be beautiful.

This book features Knoll and Eames, some amazing bamboo and wicker inspired Hollywood Regency furnishings, Danish Modern, and kitsch, brightly-colored retro fabric and wall covering patterns.

The book contains the usual advice about fixtures, measuring and the placement of furniture in a room, but it’s the mid-century advice on decorating — and the fact that it’s still valid today — that makes this title priceless.

While accessories offer opportunity for self-expression, still they must conform to the basic rules of decorating.  This means that in addition to being pleasing to you, they should harmonize with the room in design, color and feeling.  Placement is also important.  Accessories must fill a decorating need, not merely be displayed because you happen to have them.

I love looking through vintage decorating books like these and have started to amass a small collection.  If you have any suggestions on great vintage decorating books, leave them in the comments below.  You can buy this one here.

You can also check out my other photos from the LHJ Book of Interior Design in my Vintage Decor Photos set on Flickr.