When you think of the prototypical 1960’s home you might think of something space- agey. All streamlined, geometric and monochromatic. Or maybe something shaggy with dingbats. But how wrong you would be (shame yourself. do it now)!

Most suburban homes in the early mid-century still clung to a colonial revival decor. Colonial revival (a less frilly but still traditional) style was considered stately, high class, and warm. There would be some flip accents sure (note Betty’s textiles: the curtains and blankets are more on the whimiscal side).

Most homes built in the early 1900’s, like the Drapers, were relatively stripped down and lacked 18th century flourishes of the older homes. To achieve the traditional Colonial style designers and home makers were instructed to “paint the walls a soft tint such as ivory, parchment, green, or apricot.” . Additional touches such as small period details, fabric, lighting, and small Colonial style furniture including tilt-top tables, the rush seated chairs, were encouraged.

In 1924, an article entitled The Charming Dutch Colonial Type suggested: “[I]n the Colonial home, old-fashioned furniture will give a charming atmosphere. Large four-poster beds, higher than the usual bed, fresh dotted Swiss curtains, brightly colored rag rugs, either round or oval shape, will go far towards fitting up an ideal but simple bedroom. Small legged tables or chairs, a little desk, painted or lacquered, may be placed in odd corners of a room of Colonial type, to brighten it up perceptibly. Every piece of furniture which is brought for the house should be appropriate, not only in being Colonial, but also by being well proprotioned to the size of each room. Many homes are utterly ruined, when furnished improperly. If the owner would bear in mind that a good idea is to try to make the furnishings eclipse the architecture and even the grounds, he would never fail in having a beautiful and picturesque dwelling. Simplicity, but good judgment is the keynote.”