12.12.2007

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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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

i must say that i love your blog and find it so inspiring and intelligent. i found it about 2 months ago and this is the first time i am commenting. funny thing to comment too because i wanted to say that my grandparents had a "pet" monkey sometime in the 60s. i always found it so odd when my mom and aunts chatted casually about their monkey. i will have to ask more questions this christmas.

day-lab Blog said...

REBECCA-

Thanks so much for commenting! :) I am so glad you have been enjoying the blog.

Oh, and I would definitely love to hear any info you find out about these 60s Pet Monkeys from your family! Keep me posted on that.

It seems sooooo bizarre (especially the ad to order one), but you are the third person today to tell me their parents or grandparents had pet monkeys in the 60s. So, I suppose it was a little fad or something? :)

Amy

Unknown said...

I love the one with the colored checkerboard floor--except for a few of the accessories, that could be a current interior with Flor tiles. Just goes to show that good design is good design! Those appliqué pillows look like something that could be featured in Domino.

We're in the market for a house, and I would love to find one with original metal cabinets, but they're so rare now. I daydream about renovating our eventual kitchen with St Charles cabinets, but I'm afraid to find out how much they cost!

How is Pearl? I hope she's doing well after her surgery.

day-lab Blog said...

PENCILS-

Pearl is doing perfect, it's as if she never had the surgery at all .:)

She's acting completely normal, thank goodness!

Anonymous said...

I love how the monkey ad mentions that the monkey doesn't require special food and will thrive on your diet. Oh really? I didn't realize that spider monkeys were accustomed to tuna casseroles and ambrosia salads in the freakin' jungles they were kidnapped from.

On a less ranty note, the checkerboard carpet idea, hmmmm....Flor anyone?

day-lab Blog said...

DEERDOMINIQUE-

I know, the monkey ad thing is so depressing. It actually sounds like they are talking about a plant or something too..the whole "he'll grow to 12"" and then "comes with cage and instructions"..like he's a plant or a pack of sea monkeys. :(

And I totally thought of FLOR when I saw that flooring in the picture above too. :)

Amy

Glamourshoes said...

Just seeing your blog for the first time as a result of the Lucky article (Kudos!) and have a cart full of items to purchase-thank you! Where are you finding the 50's magazines? Ebay? My house was built in the 50's and these old mags and books are great because I can see how some of the weird design features were used and decorated. Love the southern feel of your site. Did Lucky say you are in Baton Rouge? I'm in Shreveport. I will definitely be adding you to my favorite blogs.

Ann

day-lab Blog said...

ANN PAYNE-

I find the magazines on Ebay yes, but also at Estate Sales, Trash and Treasures shops, and Garage Sales. They are great to have to have around for research (aside from being fun to look at).

Are you familiar with the Flesch House in Shreveport? I have been wanting to visit so I can do a drive by to view it. It is actually in my 1939 Home Builders Book (a national publication)..and its in this fantastic International Style (architect William Wiener and the address is 415 Sherwood Road). It is on the Historic Registrar too, I recently found out.

Anyway, I am glad you stopped by and are enjoying the site and the blog! :)

Take Care~

Amy