Inspiring Archives

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Just posted this at day-lab DIY and thought I would post it here as well.

When I found out about House & Garden closing last month, I was so so so upset. And, as I tend to do when I see something I adore begin to disappear, I get a bit obsessive and feel compelled to grab some remnants while I can before they are all gone. I realize this is fairly irrational behavior/thinking, yes, but it is also firmly grounded in my nature for some reason. I go with it.

At first, I downloaded the 1911-1922 archives available HERE. And while these are wonderful, I can only stare at a screen so long before my eyes start to cross and blur (I really need to get those glasses soon...).

This led to my picking up older issues when I come across them at an affordable price and in reading condition:



This particular group contains magazines from 1959 through 1965. And even though I have only had time to flip through them and just scan articles...I am already in love.

Articles can be found on:

-Amazing design and architecture, (house and landscape):

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-Subjects that are currently popular once again, like mixing styles, eclectic decor etc.:


This room in this article is particularly lovely:

"What could be more Victorian than pink and black and cabbage roses? The black-brown walls, the rose-bordered black rug and the profusion of pink fabrics in this living room all seem closer to the era of London's Crystal Palace than to that of Seattle's World Fair. But the contemporary furniture goes right along with this mood, simply because of the character of details: the pink lacquered finish and square tufted upholstery on the cane back dining chairs...the black and white cut velvet (beloved of Victorians) on the armchair."
From House & Garden, February 1963 pg. 128
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-Gorgeous Kitchen designs, like this one with a green house attached and Republic Steel cabinets throughout:

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-Fun things like Monogramming:

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-And even a How to Appliqué Pillows tutorial:

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And of course all the photographs and rooms featured are fantastic:




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And...I even found a few bizarre, if not terribly interesting, bits as well.
Like in this article on Game Rooms, I noticed the home owners had a caged monkey (to play with when they got bored with hopscotch and spite and malice?):

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And then in another issue, I found this advertisement.
Were monkeys as pets a popular thing in the sixties?

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Ah, I can't wait till I have the time after the holidays to really read through these all. I also have some from the 30s and 40s on the way, that I am even more excited about.
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