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10 Retro Ideas Reworked For Modern Living: The Entrance and Hallway
Block colours and vintage furniture are just a couple of mid-century elements that can bring style to a contemporary entry or hallway
You can easily create an inviting first impression when decorating your home’s entrance or hallway by adding a mid-century twist to a modern design. Here are 10 concepts that bring mid-20th-century style into even the most contemporary of interiors.
2. Go for greenery
In this entryway, architectural plants in a low concrete planter box add a textural element to contrast against the angular backdrop. To make this work, the entrance needs to be wide enough so that it doesn’t feel closed in. On the other side, the clerestory windows permit streams of light into the space, while the windows surrounding the door add a geometric element.
In this entryway, architectural plants in a low concrete planter box add a textural element to contrast against the angular backdrop. To make this work, the entrance needs to be wide enough so that it doesn’t feel closed in. On the other side, the clerestory windows permit streams of light into the space, while the windows surrounding the door add a geometric element.
3. Metal screen
Metal screens were popular in the 1950s and ’60s, because they demarcated areas in open-plan living zones. While most screens were detachable, this metal screen was permanently installed to separate the entryway from the dining area. As a bonus, a mid-century pattern can also work as a decorative flyscreen or security door.
More dividing screens and panels
Metal screens were popular in the 1950s and ’60s, because they demarcated areas in open-plan living zones. While most screens were detachable, this metal screen was permanently installed to separate the entryway from the dining area. As a bonus, a mid-century pattern can also work as a decorative flyscreen or security door.
More dividing screens and panels
4. Coat rack
This rather masculine coat rack may be a new addition to this corner, but it still has a reference to the mid-century aesthetic via its cartoon-style shape. Another new element with a modernist aesthetic is the 3D textured wall panels with patterns embossed into their surface. Here, the diamond pattern adds texture and tactility to the entryway.
This rather masculine coat rack may be a new addition to this corner, but it still has a reference to the mid-century aesthetic via its cartoon-style shape. Another new element with a modernist aesthetic is the 3D textured wall panels with patterns embossed into their surface. Here, the diamond pattern adds texture and tactility to the entryway.
5. Lime fresh
Painting the door in lime green – inside and out – sets the tone for the entire house. To make this ’70s-inspired hue work, it’s a good idea to repeat the colour in other areas, as seen here with the wall-mounted drawer attached to the mirror.
See more on the green colour trend
Painting the door in lime green – inside and out – sets the tone for the entire house. To make this ’70s-inspired hue work, it’s a good idea to repeat the colour in other areas, as seen here with the wall-mounted drawer attached to the mirror.
See more on the green colour trend
6. Round handles
Little touches make a big difference when adding a modernist feel to a contemporary entryway. Here, a bespoke cupboard clad in Scandi-style blonde oak is finished off with round handles. Unlike the popular vertical chrome handles seen everywhere today, these circular handles hark back to the funky ’60s.
Little touches make a big difference when adding a modernist feel to a contemporary entryway. Here, a bespoke cupboard clad in Scandi-style blonde oak is finished off with round handles. Unlike the popular vertical chrome handles seen everywhere today, these circular handles hark back to the funky ’60s.
7. Hanging basket
A ’70s favourite, the hanging basket can be introduced to incorporate greenery into the entrance zone. Plants need to be large enough to spill over the basket, creating an impressive visual effect. Here, the metal hanger is almost hidden away, but if you really want to embrace the ’70s look, search for macrame hangers at markets and homeware stores.
A ’70s favourite, the hanging basket can be introduced to incorporate greenery into the entrance zone. Plants need to be large enough to spill over the basket, creating an impressive visual effect. Here, the metal hanger is almost hidden away, but if you really want to embrace the ’70s look, search for macrame hangers at markets and homeware stores.
8. Decorative mirror
With a subtle nod to the sculptured Curtis Jere mid-century mirrors, the mod metalwork pictured here has a dramatic effect in the entrance area. As a finishing touch, a George Nelson Platform bench was added. It’s a handy addition to the entryway as you can place shoes underneath, as well as using it as a place to perch.
George Nelson’s Coconut chair
With a subtle nod to the sculptured Curtis Jere mid-century mirrors, the mod metalwork pictured here has a dramatic effect in the entrance area. As a finishing touch, a George Nelson Platform bench was added. It’s a handy addition to the entryway as you can place shoes underneath, as well as using it as a place to perch.
George Nelson’s Coconut chair
9. Coat hanger
If you really want to embrace the mid-century aesthetic, make sure the colour of your shoes match the hues of the Hang It All coat rack, designed by Charles & Ray Eames in the ’50s.
More Eames design classics
If you really want to embrace the mid-century aesthetic, make sure the colour of your shoes match the hues of the Hang It All coat rack, designed by Charles & Ray Eames in the ’50s.
More Eames design classics
10. Telephone table
Often referred to as a gossip bench, the telephone seat was a necessity in the 20th century, since it stored the phone, notepads and even the huge phonebook. While the digital world has made this piece redundant, it can now be utilised as a decorative unit in the hallway.
TELL US
Is there a retro design feature in your home’s entrance or hallway? Describe how you use or display it, or share a picture of it in the Comments section below.
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Often referred to as a gossip bench, the telephone seat was a necessity in the 20th century, since it stored the phone, notepads and even the huge phonebook. While the digital world has made this piece redundant, it can now be utilised as a decorative unit in the hallway.
TELL US
Is there a retro design feature in your home’s entrance or hallway? Describe how you use or display it, or share a picture of it in the Comments section below.
MORE
Atomic Age Design: Still Blasting its Way into Homes Today
10 Retro Living Room Ideas Reworked For Modern Living
10 Retro Ideas Reworked for Modern Living: The Bathroom
Who can resist some California coolness when entering a home? It sets the scene for the entire interior. Here, hanging from the wall above the sideboard, Slim Aarons’ ‘Poolside Gossip‘ print –featuring the iconic Kaufmann House in Palm Springs, designed by architect Richard Neutra –evokes mid-century chic. Overall, mixing old and new elements personalises a space – in fact, the contemporary ‘horse’ object by Jonathan Adler looks like it could have appeared in a Brady Bunch episode, but it was in fact designed in the 21st century.
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