Lest Ye Forget
Looking back on decades of interior design, it’s possible to feel inspired, and also a tad bemused. Beanbag chairs in the den (well, they are comfortable) and pastel pink toilets—what were they thinking? We’ve gathered some of the best (and worst) forgotten trends from years past to illustrate both the importance of imagination in home decor and the value of exercising caution in the face of novelty.
Conversation Pits
Sunken living rooms, which made their big-time debut in 1952, had a brief but glorious 15 minutes of fame before fading into ignominy in the 1970s. But the concept of a recessed conversation area is a good one, as long as nobody loses their footing when heading down to the couch. Not only does a conversation pit provide a cozy spot dedicated to human interaction, but the unusual seating arrangement itself is a conversation starter!
Circular Couches
Taking risks with shapes is one of the hallmarks of retro style. This playful trend was particularly evident in the curvaceous, at times even circular, sofas of yesteryear. While the traditional rectangular couch is much more common these days, shapely designs like Vladimir Kagan’s iconic 1950s Serpentine sofa have never fully disappeared from the living room landscape. In fact, following Kagan’s death in 2016, these velvet-covered centerpieces have been making a comeback.