When starting with a blank slate, I really like to have some kind of decorating theme to help narrow the overwhelming options. This is easier said than done and requires a ton of thinking and inspiration.
I first saw the condo complex I’m moving into when on a walk with my buddy Betsy, who lives nearby. The whole place has a real west coast vibe to me. It’s tucked away, yet still super close to town and rally feels a world apart. It’s kinda woods-y, sort of like a place you might rent for a weekend in Tahoe, or Laurel, or Topanga canyon. The complex was built in 1979.
I started to focus on 1979. I was 12 years old, living in Corning NY. It seemed like a whole lotta way cool stuff was happening around me and I tried to soak it all up. I started to think about movies and TV shows that had cool interiors like The Brady Bunch, The Ice Storm, Good Fellas, Boogie Nights. Then I looked up the top albums of 1979 and was blown away with the masterpieces from that year, many of which I swear I know every note.
Now that I had a sound track, I started to picture interiors around it: Lots of plants: California; statement fireplaces; natural textures; sorta boho; hanging light fixtures; low-ish, comfortable furniture; sculptural room dividers from planks of walnut; rich earthy West Coast groovy sunset colors like orange, yellow, teal…
I’m going for a 1979, California groovy, canyons of LA feel. Think Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa and Carole King. And it’s still going to look like it belong in Portland, Maine in the roaring 2020’s.
I’m so excited! Stay tune!
-Rachel
The article by Lucia Tonelli perfectly captures just some of the ideas I’m considering:
From hippie boho to glam disco vibes, this decade is packed with dreamy ideas.
