What do you think of, if I say a colourful retro interior?
It seems like the 1980s was definitely a colourful era, but which trend do you think looked best?
First of all, there was the neon pop and then the pastel pink and blue look, however most noteworthy and one that is currently having a revival, is the Memphis trend.
The Memphis group was an Italian design and architecture group founded by Ettore Sottsass in 1980. They designed Postmodern furniture, fabrics, ceramics, glass, and metal objects. You can read more about it in my blog post here.
The trend embodied bright colours and bold geometric patterns.
Such vibrant colours and patterns are definitely gaining momentum, because at recent press events, I’ve noticed that many interior brands have started to incorporate the elements of the Memphis style into their new collections.
I was super excited when Marsh and Parsons, one of London’s leading estate agents asked me to style up a colourful retro living space, one of their matching people to property looks.
I’ve gone for bright shades of blues, yellows, pinks and greens.
I’m sure some of you may be curious where everything is from, therefore I’ve compiled a list for you below:
Central art print and green cushion – Habitat
Prints on either side – Particular people
Sofa – Designer’s Guild
Block Table trolley – Normann Copenhagen
Vase on trolley – Vintage Holmegaard via eBay
Bag – Eleanor Bowmer
Bright Ellsworth cushions – WA Green
Pink wooden figure – Vitra
Colourful RAAWII Strom vases ( yellow/ orange) – W.A Green
White candle – Keith Haring
Pink and red cushion – Cath Kidston
Coffee table books – Hardie Grant and Kate Spade NY
Blue tray with lips – Jonathan Adler via W.A Green
Red mug – Marrimekko via Skandium.
Rug- Lorena Canals
You’ll get a better sense of how the colours and patterns go together if you stand back frequently to view while you style,
Then all you need to do is to adjust and fine tune the decor as needed.
For more of my tips on how to create this colourful retro look, do hop over and check out Marsh and Parsons blog.
Finally, hope you’ve enjoyed the post. I’ll be back soon with another styling for Marsh and Parsons. This time it’ll be a modern and neutral nursery. Can’t wait to show you.
(All the photography and styling are by Geraldine Tan, editor of little Big Bell. This is a paid partnership post with Marsh and Parsons but all opinions are my own.)