I have been buying 50’s and 60’s books on design and decoration recently because I find the photos incredibly appealing. The slightly sparse interiors mixing modern art with antiques, the use of strong monobloc colours and a feeling of modern geometric forms all seem to be exactly ‘the look’ that has been around in the interior design magazines since things moved on from white minimalism. This photo is from ‘L’Oeil du Decorateur’ published as part of a series in 1963 and looking through it has made me realise how much of interior design we see around us now is prompted by re-visiting the past for inspiration. This shouldn’t be a surprise I suppose, if you look back at 19th century it’s littered with updates of old ideas: the Egyptian revival, Chippendale revival and Tudorbethan styles are all examples, but I think now we tend to associate the word design with innovation so it’s a surprise to discover how strong an influence the past can still have. Maybe it’s a comfort blanket, something easy and familiar as a respite from the shock of the new. Whatever the reason I love how modern some of these 50’s and 60’s interiors feel.