Question: What is Retro Style Furniture?
Answer: Retro
style furniture is furniture that belongs to, or has the look of having
been made in the decades between the 1950s and the 1980s.
The
word retro signifies looking backward, and when we talk of retro
furniture, we are speaking of a furniture style that looks back with
nostalgia and pays homage to styles that were popular in the decades of
1950s, 1960s, 1970s and recently we have added the 80s to the list.
Retro
style can be whimsical, it can allude to pop-culture, and even be
kitschy. But to achieve great retro style you have to understand kitsch
and use it deliberately to create an effect.
Furniture from the
1950s shows the influence of modern furniture increasing. Sleek
furniture with a slender profile was placed against boldly patterned
wallpapers and fabrics. For retro style furniture of the 1950s we are
also beholden to furniture from diners with Formica-topped tables, and
chrome bar stools.
The next decade, the 1960s was more playful, with psychedelic
patterns and splashes of color. Low coffee tables and sideboards were
still popular, but you also saw furniture like one-piece molded or
blow-up chairs.
The 1970s saw furniture losing its sleek quality
and becoming a bit more bulky and chunky. Avocado Greens and Harvest
Golds, oranges and earthy browns dominated.
As for the 1980s, Art
Deco had a big influence on the decorating style, as did South Western
motifs. Teal and mauve are two colors you may remember.
By Abe Abbas
Furniture Expert
