Thursday, July 19, 2007

More wisdom from BHG

Today I bring you the second installment of wisdom from the 1961 version of the "Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Book". Some of you may remember Chapter 1 - "It's your home, what kind do you want?"
Today we're looking at color.
(If you click on the pictures, the full size versions will provide more detail.)


"Would you wear a check blouse with a plaid skirt? Would you choose a red dress to make you look smaller? It's easy to use the color facts you already know in decorating your home."


"Bold colors advance, pale colors retreat"
"Closely blended colors conceal"
"If you want to conceal...bulky lines...blend it to the background with matching or similar color." (This may be good fashion advice too.)


"One bold pattern is usually enough"
"You probably won't go out dressed like the golfer at the right..."
"Some colors are cool, some are warm"


"Unequal areas are more pleasing"
and my personal favorite from this chapter:
"Color is affected by its neighbors"
"If you have a red sofa that stands out against a blue rug, and a red bookshelf against white walls, slipcover the sofa to match the rug." (Oh my gosh!!!)

10 comments:

  1. these things are so funny.

    I love the drawings! Frame-able.

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  2. I can just imagine you reading this book and laughing the whole time.

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  3. what a wonderful way to explain decorating! Perfect, I love it!

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  4. Anina, I featured you today on Today's Creative Blog. http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com
    But, I just saw that I should have asked permission to use your photos. If you want me to take it off, let me know.
    Great stuff!
    kim

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  5. Hi there, just popping in from a link at Creative Blogs. I think we're almost neighbors, I'm in Seattle too.

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  6. This is so fun & cool. Don't ya just love it...lol.

    Laura

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  7. I love these kinds of things! The illustrations are just precious. I love the swim-cap haircuts on the "color is affected by its neighbors" models.

    And yes, I would totally wear what the golfer on the right is wearing. Especially his golf bag. I want a purse made out of that pattern.

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  8. Those illustrations are so fabulous!

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  9. What an amusing book you have! Imagine that people took it serious :o)

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