The northwest has become a popular home for retro design and everything Midcentury Modern. Many Oregonians are bringing the dark woods from the outdoors into their living rooms and experimenting with ’50s style. Some simple colors and furniture can transform your living space into a vintage-retro dream—and here are some easy style tips to help you do it.
Color
Dark hues resonate inside and outside of this Portland living room through the simple décor. The main color in this room is maroon. This a perfect focus color if you’re looking to switch around your décor for the colder seasons. The rug, with its simple texture, moves throughout the room to create a more cohesive look and bring together the dining table and the relaxed seating space. Try to pick a color to maintain throughout the room by spreading different pieces with the same colors throughout the room, or laying down a large rug.
There are also a few, very subtle colors that add just another layer to the room. Starting with the blue pillow and moving towards the colorful vases on the metal rack. This use of color is enough to bring out the retro feel in the room without overpowering the main use of maroon.
Shapes
The owners of this home have really balanced this room with different shapes. Often times, the importance of shapes in a room are overlooked. This room has a mixture of both rounded and square shapes that really provide the Midcentury Modern feel. The square couch and pillow contrast the use of round lines on the chairs and glass pieces. The lighting in the room also provides a nice oval shape that allows it to stand out amongst the rest of the furniture.
Simplicity
In an open room like this one, it is easy to get carried away with furniture styles. However, the reason the colors in this room stand out is because of the simple use of furniture. Industrial meets retro with the chairs and shelving in this room. These chairs add some needed texture to the room and are the perfect size. When you are working with a large open room, it is important to maintain that open space and not clutter it with large furniture.
The shelving unit in the room is the eye-catching piece. Simple and utilitarian in its design, this unit provides the perfect mix of Midcentury Modern and industrial. It also matches the metal pattern on the back of the chairs, allowing the pattern to move across the room rather than just stay in one corner.
