A suggestion of mid century design for living room

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

I moved into a 60s house last year and I am just starting to think about the living room. The living room is in the extension and has cornice, dado rails and a Victorian mantle. I want to give the living room a modern twist on mid century style but this is my first house and I am a complete amateur. To add to the problem I am on a tight budget. I have been scouring eBay, Gumtree and charity shops. Does anyone have any advice or pics of this look in action?

Thanks

[JT05]

Pinintrest will have some pics. I would try to get rid of the Victorian mantle as soon as possible, or paint it so that it doesn't stand out. The greens/yellow/grey colour palette is 60's.

Original mid century furniture is becoming expensive, but keep looking in the charity shops for simple light wood teak designs. Mismatched dining chairs are ok. You might pick up a table that has a scratched top, you could sand and re varnish. Look for remnants of 60s. Style fabric to make cushions.

Have fun, sounds like a great project.

[lalalonglegs]

You can remove all the faux-Victorian stuff yourself (be careful and buy some superfine filler from Travis Perkins - it's almost like mousse and very easy to use - to repair any damage) - you may be able to sell the fireplace. Paint is then your friend - a strong blue or orange - and you can still pick up cheap 60s style accessories on eBay. Teak framed mirrors, teak Tapley cabinets, occasionally G -plan style furniture like bureaus which aren't as popular as tables etc. Try to give it a 60s vibe without turning it into some sort of theme park.

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

Thanks for your replies. I have a Nathan set of nest tables and a fab round Formica topped dark wood occasional table. I am on the hunt for dark low side board - I am all over Gumtree, charity shops, ebay, free cycle etc. I am OK at fixing bits up.

I can't do anything about the carpet, dado rails and fireplace at the mo as I am skint and still convincing hubby of the decor!

My eventual aim is to replace the flooring with a dark wood, use grey flint/ slate type wall tile to cover chimney breast and a dark grey in the alcoves. I want to add a log burner - although its not in keeping they are practical.

I would love a large sofa and 2 arm chairs but nice examples are pricey. Also need ideas for a large rug. Off to google.

[cooper44]

you can get sideboards on ebay fairly cheaply because they tend to be bulky. But you'll probably have to scour for a bit as mid-century pieces are definitely a lot more pricey now.
I'd mix in some modern pieces rather than slavishly keeping in period - look at Ikea's Ekenaset chairs and the PS 2014 rug.

[Gusthetheatrecat]

Try googling mid century decor on google images, also look on Pinterest and Houzz.
There are a lot of bloggers doing this kind of thing at the moment. 'Tales from a happy house' is a good one for ideas, though her blog includes a lot of craft and baking too (oh well!).

[SorrelForbes]

We've recently bought a 1950s house which needs a total overhaul! I'm also trying to add in some nods to era whilst also keeping it fairly modern. We found this range which is very of the time. Pricey though.

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

Just been outbid on a stunning sideboard. Hubby is resisting the whole idea and wants cottagey and pastels! Some discussions are required.

Sorrel that fire is AMAZING, I want one, I would never put the telly on again or heating. New plan is to save and convince hubby.

[specialsubject]

fascinating thread - if my parents ever do decide to get rid of their authentic 1950s furniture they should make enough to replace with something comfortable!

[SorrelForbes]

My DH keeps looking at me as if I've lost the plot whenever I mention 50s style sideboards

[SorrelForbes]

I love this one - modern but with a hint...

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

Multi York have a range called Ellesmere which is a modern take on 50s design. I did some fantasy shopping last night and spent £5000- that was in their sale!, my new fire - the douvre vintage one, plus tiling the chimney wall will come to £3000. Then new flooring, rug and a few accessories is the best part of £1500. I am about £9000 short!!!! Oh well back to scouring the free ads! Lucki!y I live in an area where people come to retire and I am hopeful of finding a well loved and looked after treasure.

Hubby can't understand paying £150 on a 50yr old sideboard, so I showed him what a multiyork copy went for (£700)or even the price of an IKEA copy which is not designed to last - suddenly £150 didn't seem too bad! My initial idea may require some tweaking as the root of the problem seemed to be it was all too dark.

We have a 15ft squarish room with 12ft of window so it can def carry off darker colours. I am so fed up of living in magnolia and beige living rooms as that's the only colour rentals seem to come in!

My idea was a dark wood floor, a grey/green flinty tiles on chimney Brest (they are strips and all different thicknesses), lighter grey walls in alcoves and white other walls. Remove dado rails. IKEA have a teal-grey geometric rug which is lovely and I found thanks to a tip from this thread. I would like a side board for the tv- this would fit in well with the bits I already have. I think it wouldn't then look too such lime a film set. My big issue is seating, when we moved we bought some very cheap sec hand sofas - there is nothing 50s about them. Multi York and others do fab inspired by ranges but I just dont have that sort of cash a d I have 2 small DC with sticky fingers so expensive sofas are not a good idea really. I might just add an IKEA inspired chair for a hint of mid century.

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

Sorry not completely illiterate but on tablet and its auto correct is!

[JT05]

Search and search again small ads in the paper and shop ads.
Commercial dealers don't have time for this. I bought a g plan Astro coffee table for the asking price of £50. It was a very small ad in the local paper.

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

Just found a lovely 1960s sideboard on Gumtree for £40 and its a better shape than the one I was outbid on- we have a massive tv, well hubby does and the shape echoes the tv shape, I am going to see it tonight. It is slightly worn but I have been redoing a few bits and I am sure I can improve the finish.
Shop windows for ads is a good idea. I am slightly obsessed at the moment!

[SorrelForbes]

We're going for grey walls (Valspar Morning Song or Little Green Inox) with floorboards (original 50s tongue and groove ones so no gaps, stained teak and then coated with industrial strength gloss).

The original skirting boards (narrow) and other woodwork including the door (glass panelled to maximise light) will be brilliant white gloss.

Painting the inside of the chimney in the same grey and hoping to be able to fit the Dovre 35mm stove (in grey) later this year.

We've got a very nice 3 seater M&S sofa in a light grey/blue so will keep that but combine it with something like this.

We need a sideboard for the TV to fit for the smaller alcove which is only 45cm wide x 34cm deep! Luckily the TV is just a 32"!

Any suggestions for a ceiling light and coffee table would be gratefully received. We also need something (mirror or pic) to hang on the chimney breast (portrait rather than landscape shape).

[sofato5miles]

//Www.lauritz.com amazing auction site that is always brimming with Wegner etc

I recently bought an original dining table and chairs as well as 4 eye chairs as an investment. The same table and chairs were on 1st dibs for 3 times what I paid.

[SorrelForbes]

Ignore those alcove measurements above! Off to re-measure!

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

So just bought the most amazing 1960s room divider, its going to make a fab display cabinet. I thought it had sold so had a massive sulk as it was a bargain then seller contacted me as original person was a no show. All manner of shenanigans to sort transport but now safely installed. Also bought a lebus sideboard but its not right so I might eBay it, I will live with it for a while. Both were £100! And had been in the family since originally bought and In great condition.

Currently chimney breast is a light mustardy yellow and it works really well with the furniture and grey sofas. Now on the hunt for a starburst clock and old school phone but then must stop or it will be a film set and not a suggestion of!

Anyone brave enough to post their pics of their take on mid century design? I will once I have moved everything around and sorted laptop.

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

Tomorrow I am going to see a repro of the nugochi triangular coffee table. Its the perfect shape for our room and utterly stunning (originals certainly).

I am torn about ceiling lights as there are so many lovely designs and lamps. I am hoping inspiration will strike- sorrel do share any great finds.

[givemecheese]

Ooo Princess, can I have a pic of your room divider? I need one for our living room in a mid century style. Where did you get it from?

[Lelivre]

I'm going to bump an old thread for you in case it helps

[Pretendingtobe31]

I'm obsessed with mid century modern. We were lucky to find some original pieces as well as more modern alternatives. Try prettypegs.com and the mojo reserve on FB. We also customised ikea drawers with hairpin legs to make our own tv cabinet.

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

That's a great idea pretending, it's all about the legs.

Set yourself up with some email alerts on your local property pages too - target 50/60s bungalows. Then as houses come up for sale, look at the interiors pics, then if you see something you fancy, stick a note through the door. People selling unmodernised properties know the new buyer will rip everything out, so they may want to sell a few bits to a charming enthusiastic local person...

We just replaced our sofa with one from the sofa and stuff pronto collection

We didn't want to go full retro (agree re the film set comparison), didn't want to do any reupholstery work or anything (I had an uncomfy sofa for years so that was the priority) but there's enough of a moderne feel in the lines in some of the range to just nod towards midcentury. And the proportions were good for my low-ceilinged, boxy 70s house...

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

target streets with 50s/60s bungalows

[princessconsuelabannahammock]

Giveme - the room divider came from gumtree and was £60!! Absolute bargain, they had been offered £140 for it but as they had agreed to sell it to us they hung on for us to collect it. Its similar to this but the bureau bit is a bit lower and its a darker wood
www.bing.com/images/search?q=roomdivider+retro&view=detailv2&&id=FF2B573FC23CE0BB4F87AB59FD6B93E1B051ADBB&selectedIndex=68&ccid=yJlxbJEW&simid=608035334099635510&thid=OIP.Mc899716c9116c0b95024d37ee5d2e8aeo0&ajaxhist=0

They also had a 60s sideboard but I am not sure of it, as its too high and doesn't quite look right but I cant put my finger on why not - the massive 42inch tv on top doesn't help!


This is the rug I like www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10287370/

This is my new table www.vita-interiors.com/coffee-tables/isamu-noguchi-style-coffee-table-compact.htm
Also gumtree

I cant replace our sofas but they are just plain modern and grey (cheap, sec hand argos), they aren't very comfy and too small but will do whist the dc are young and sticky fingered!

I would like a retro phone and a starburst clock -then I am done as I am swaying towards film set territory! Cant replace the carpet yet or remove dado rails or fireplace so its going to be a work in progress until I can do the more expensive stuff in a couple of years. The walls are grubby so they will get a coat of light paint and the chimney breast will get another coat of the existing colour - which I would have never picked but is actually nice and suits the period (I think, a light mustardy yellow).

I also have those half moon wall lights which are designed to be painted to match the walls and I cant replace them either.

That's a great idea about sending out flyers to for sale bungalows, there are loads suitable near me. The other thing I am looking at is retro dressing tables instead of sideboards as they seem to be much cheaper, I love the idea of putting on hairpin legs. Off to google some more!