Monday, July 7, 2008

Apt528 Reads: Retro Style

Retro Style: The 50's Look for Today's Home
By: Marion Haslam
Apt528 Rating: 6 out of 10


Overall, a good book. The brightly colored pictures capture the spirit of the 50's and Haslam gives vivid desciptions of how things were "back in the day." As you flip through, you'll see mini-bios of famous mid-century designers nestled between the pages, giving you a glimpse into how notables such as Arne Jacobsen got their start. That was my favorite part - learning the history behind the furniture I've come to admire.

Another great feature are the DIY projects. Every dozen pages or so you'll find step-by-step instructions on easy, affordable projects to turn your place into a 50's throwback. My favorite DIY is the boomerang coffee table - the instructions are clear and easy to follow.

While I liked most of the book, I wasn't so keen on the parts where Haslam tried to relate 50's design to the trends of today. For me, the comparisons just didn't work. I felt like the book was written in the 90's. I guessed right...it's copyrighted 2000. Even though the trends may not be up to date with 2008, there are still great examples of ways to incorporate retro style. You're bound to find something you like!

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