60s house with different interior decor

aiskabash · 2023-07-19T17:57:29+00:00

Has anyone successfully gone for a nod to farmhouse or country(ish) interior for their 60s boxy house? I do like a mid century or modern look but wanted something a bit older but wondered if it would look too jarring or naff? Thank you.

SaturdayGiraffe · 20/07/2023 16:16

TBH I haven’t seen that successfully done.
The farmhouse/country house style I’ve seen relies on a mixture of things like stone lintels, exposed beams, flagstones, fireplace hearths, an aga, big oak kitchen table sort of stuff.
Midcentury builds don’t tend to offer that, and the proportions are wrong for it, although some do have a feature chimney.
That said, people who lived in such houses in the era they were built would have used old furniture, not bought all new, so they would have mixed and matched as required.
You could add a nod to the country style with a classic shaker kitchen, and some rustic soft furnishings.

Original poster

aiskabash · 21/07/2023 08:34

SaturdayGiraffe · 20/07/2023 16:16

TBH I haven’t seen that successfully done.
The farmhouse/country house style I’ve seen relies on a mixture of things like stone lintels, exposed beams, flagstones, fireplace hearths, an aga, big oak kitchen table sort of stuff.
Midcentury builds don’t tend to offer that, and the proportions are wrong for it, although some do have a feature chimney.
That said, people who lived in such houses in the era they were built would have used old furniture, not bought all new, so they would have mixed and matched as required.
You could add a nod to the country style with a classic shaker kitchen, and some rustic soft furnishings.

I agree. A nod to that style might be a better option.

OP posts:

Snoopfroggyfrogg · 21/07/2023 08:50

I think companies such as Ercol and Nathan started making 'farmhouse' ranges of furniture in the later 70s, my mum was a fan of this style. Looking back it featured a fair bit of chintz and patterned carpets for my taste but it was a trend at the time. Perhaps a mix and match approach would work well, using period pieces from these ranges or older/ antique against simpler walls and flooring. As PP says, I don't think it would work to add beams or cornicing or anything like that to the structure of the house but a mix of styles and old pieces always looks very loved and personal. I wouldn't be taking out any original 60s features in place.

Do you have a garden? Perhaps old fashioned cottage garden style planting could echo your tastes outside too?

onlylovecanhurtlikethis · 21/07/2023 08:56

I have a very obviously 1960s house externally so I mix and match with the odd vintage piece found on FB marketplace but I tend to paint the dark wood so it's more the shape which is a nod to the house and then IKEA pieces - I paint them too in complimentary colours so they tie in with the older

I did look at panelling etc which is pretty country kitchen but it doesn't really work visually however I'm going to try labelling one wall behind my bed but with a vintage style wallpaper above

Original poster

aiskabash · 22/07/2023 09:01

Snoopfroggyfrogg · 21/07/2023 08:50

I think companies such as Ercol and Nathan started making 'farmhouse' ranges of furniture in the later 70s, my mum was a fan of this style. Looking back it featured a fair bit of chintz and patterned carpets for my taste but it was a trend at the time. Perhaps a mix and match approach would work well, using period pieces from these ranges or older/ antique against simpler walls and flooring. As PP says, I don't think it would work to add beams or cornicing or anything like that to the structure of the house but a mix of styles and old pieces always looks very loved and personal. I wouldn't be taking out any original 60s features in place.

Do you have a garden? Perhaps old fashioned cottage garden style planting could echo your tastes outside too?

Thank you. I didn’t really want to go full on country style but wanted the house to feel a bit more cosy. Mix and match would be nice. I will also look into a garden plan.

OP posts: