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Red Decor in the ’80s Office

March 12, 2011 by Kate 3 Comments

Image from The Decorating Book by Mary Gilliatt

Mirror80 wraps up our week-long focus on the ’80s office by spotlighting red accents, from chairs to desk lamps. Let’s start with a still from the 1987 film Campus Man, in which a college student (John Dye) attempts to raise much-needed tuition money by featuring athletic male students in a campus calendar. In this scene he disappoints businesswoman Katherine Van Buren (Morgan Fairchild), but on the bright side, his office has never looked better! A spherical floor lamp, red desk trim and a bright office chair unify the space:

Campus Man

A still from the 1987 film Campus Man

Next we move to the 1987 film The Secret of My Success, starring Michael J. Fox as aspiring businessman Brantley Foster. If his home office is any indicator, he’s well on his way! A red desk and work lamp pop against the gray walls of his apartment:

The Secret of My Success

A still from the 1987 film The Secret of My Success

We end with another image from Mary Gilliatt’s The Decorating Book, written in the ’80s and full of design inspiration. The book is available at Amazon.com–I highly recommend it! In the picture below, red chairs, artwork and organizational supplies add personality to an office space:

An image from The Decorating Book by Mary Gilliat

An image from The Decorating Book by Mary Gilliat

Let this vivid ’80s office design inspire you to add some color to your workspace!

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Comments

  1. Retrophilia says

    March 14, 2011 at 2:22 pm

    I have to get that book! 🙂
    Answer: Thanks! 🙂 Do you have a similar website in the us? (vintage wallpapers).
    Do you know any website that are selling 80's posters/paintings? Im looking for posters with cocktail glasses, skylines etc on them.

    Reply
    • MirrorKate says

      March 21, 2011 at 8:17 pm

      Hi There!

      When it comes to '80s wallpaper, I haven't found one site that specializes in it (if any of you out there have, let us know)! But when I search for "1980s wallpaper" on etsy or ebay, I can find a small selection! I'd also try ebay or etsy for posters!

      Reply
  2. John Baines says

    October 22, 2011 at 3:31 am

    I am a child of the 80s, and am currently sat in my office on a red chair, with a red phone on the desk and a red notice board and red filing cabinet on the other side of the room. I never realised they were 80s style – I just thought that they were stylish! Is there any hope for me?

    John

    Reply

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Mirror80 is a blog that celebrates the intersection of modern design and retro style. I'm Kate, and I enjoy exploring the look and feel of the "recent retro", with a focus on the late '70s through the early '90s. Welcome to Mirror80. Read More…

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