Interior Design Trend 1965: Dress Like Your Windows

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(Note: This post should be a reminder to all of us why it's not always a great idea to follow trends.) 

I got my hands on this decorating booklet awhile back from 1965. Anytime I find anything old on interior design and decorating I have to have it. There's so much we can learn from the past.

Like how to dress like your windows.

This particular section of the booklet is entitled: "It's New...It's Fun...Coordinate Rooms and Fashions."

The title alone makes me laugh. You just know what's coming next. 

"If you're a lucky one and can either find more of the same fabric or had a few yards left over when you made the new draperies or slipcovers - then join in the newest fashion and create a coordinating skirt or bathrobe, shirt or apron. If you're not that lucky, then resolve here and now to plan for a few extra yards the next time you redecorate."

Lucky? Interesting choice of words.

This woman does not look lucky to me. She looks rather unfortunate surrounded by all those blue and mustard-y flowers. But according to the caption, her and her floor-length skirt are ready for "evening entertaining at home."

This "family room...has beige corduroy Roman Shades with a gold and yellow decorative braid. Slacks and shirt are of gold corduroy (note matching cushions) with skirt inset of beige and border of braid to coordinate with shades." It's too bad we only have a black and white of this one. I'd love to see the gold corduroy in all its glory. 

Nothing like tea-time in a matching apron and window treatment ensemble. I hope she likes that fabric. A lot. Notice the matching pom-pom fringe. Seriously?

I can't put my finger on why, but I feel so sorry for this little girl. Oh! Maybe it's because her mother made her wear that god-awful robe...AND she had to pose for a picture by the matching gingham check cafe curtains...AND she'd better smile or she'll be in trouble when her father comes home. Poor thing. Doesn't that robe look stiffer than cardboard?

"A soft white wool dress fabric inspired the window treatment above. Chosen for dress and matching cape, it draped so gracefully that more fabric was ordered and the dining room window gained a new drapery with elegant trimmed swag and jabots."

(Jabots, in case you are wondering, is the frilly lacy thing hanging off the dress, and, in this case, the window treatments. Yes - I had to look it up.)

You know the dress is kinda cool. I'd wear that. Maybe sans the cape. But I just can't imagine. Would anyone take you seriously walking around looking like your drapes? I mean, Scarlett O'Hara used her drapes to make a dress, but would've died before she intentionally matched them.

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And don't think the men were left out of these crazy decorating ideas. They were just smart enough not to get their pictures taken. 

"Another solution would be to add some throw pillows covered in a vivid color or unusual pattern and coordinate a skirt for yourself or a shirt-jacket for your husband."

Funny. How come they couldn't get any men to model the shirt-jacket throw pillow combo?

What do you think about this interior design trend? Would you, or have you ever dressed like your windows? (I can hear the laughter through my computer screen, but thought it'd be fun to ask.)

If you are interested in color and interior design services, please call me at 650.867.3896, or shoot me an email at kelly@artestyling.com to discuss your project. And I promise not to suggest you match your home to your wardrobe.