By Living Room Realty, May 6, 2020
1970’s home wanted. 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 by pass these homes entirely, but I 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
