A very ’80s bedroom (Image from Sotheby’s International Realty via Curbed)
There’s been a renewed interest in “ugly” ’80s houses. You know, homes that are on the market but haven’t been redecorated since our favorite decade… By the way, we at Mirror80 see these homes as museums! Today we explore the ugly duckling phenomenon in reference to ’80s design. Because we think some of these decorative flourishes are about to blossom into beautiful swans! Thanks to a Curbed article that spotlighted a four-bedroom Mediterranean-style home for sale in Tucson, Arizona, we have some amazing images to showcase. The home is for sale through Sotheby’s International Realty. I wonder if they’d ever auction off any of this fabulous furniture…
At the top of the post we see an ’80s-style bedroom. Am I the only one who thinks the bed would look amazing when combined with a neon comforter? And when was the last time you saw a patterned dust ruffle that matched the headboard? Below we get a look at the home’s exterior. I’ll bet there were some pretty rad pool parties out there 30 years ago… Now I’m in the mood to hunt down a high-waisted bikini.
A Tucson home filled with ’80s treasures (Image from Sotheby’s International Realty via Curbed)
We once again move indoors, this time with a glimpse at the living room. These homeowners tastefully kept the interior pale and light. Can you imagine the furniture in a mauve or dusty blue space?! Quite honestly, with today’s renewed interest in ’80s Southwestern motifs, what’s not to love about the upholstered chairs below? They have a great shape, much like the coffee tables. When can you ever go wrong with an octagon?!
An ’80s Southwestern living room (Image from Sotheby’s International Realty via Curbed)
I want the lavender chairs below for a Hollywood Regency-style bedroom! And I seriously considered covering the back of my gray sofa with pillows this summer. I love the look of pillow after pillow. For a modern twist, create an ombre effect by sticking with one tone in different shades, and arrange pillows from lightest to darkest. And why has it taken us this long to mention the amazing square stone coffee table and geometric rug?
’80s seating in all of its pillow-filled glory (Image from Sotheby’s International Realty via Curbed)
Next we have the ’80s-style kitchen. My favorite feature: the diagonal detailing on the cabinets. I wouldn’t change any of the woodwork, but I see a custom paint job in the doors’ future…
A smokin’ hot ’80s kitchen (Image from Sotheby’s International Realty via Curbed)
We end with a bedroom that has an ikat headboard as the centerpiece. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen this type of fabric in today’s design magazines. And it’s time for a peach and blue comeback!
An ’80s ikat bedroom (Image from Sotheby’s International Realty via Curbed)
Finding a home full of ’80s decor is like striking gold. Not only do these rooms give us insight into authentic ’80s design, they prove that decor trends are cyclical. Stick with something long enough and it comes back in style again… Especially when you take it out of context and blend it with contemporary pieces. Happy Wednesday!
OK… Honestly if I had the means I would track down the owner of this house and would buy all these amazing furniture. "Ugly House"?? I don't think so! This decade was bold and full of STYLE, from the amazing interior designs to the clothing, and of course MUSIC!!!!
I am still hoping for the 80's to make a full comeback.
Thank you so so much for posting great articles and pictures. I appreciate all your hard work. It truly resembles the deep passion you have for this beautiful decade. 🙂
Thanks so much for the comment! I completely agree with you about the house–I'd walk right in and say "I'll take it! All of it!" And when it comes to the '80s making a full comeback, it would be amazing if '80s interior design were given the same attention as '80s fashion. But so many amazing things are happening that would've been unheard of a couple of years ago (like the '80s graphic design revival, and lots of cool '80s Tumblrs). I think '80s design is on its way to a mainstream revival. We can always hope, right?!
Thanks for your wonderful comment, and for your continued support of the blog! I really appreciate your encouragement.
Cheers,
Kate
I love that fireplace!!!!
Call me weird but i also like the couch and the two chairs in the living room
I also like the layout of the kitchen and living room. it has so much space.
I hope this style comes back
I couldn’t agree more, Nick! What’s an “ugly house” to some is true design inspiration to others. I can’t get over those octagonal stone coffee tables! Thanks for your comment.
Wow I love all these photos! I was born in 1982 and remember my parent’s bedroom looking almost identical to the top one, circa 1987, huge padded headboard and all! We had a massive table in the lounge with an equally massive laserdisc player – I think we were the only people that had one, they were never that popular here in the UK and a bit of a novelty when friends called round. But my dad liked to show off with fancy tech he hadn’t a clue how to use.
There has been a surge of 70s and 80s nostalgia in the UK – lots of retro-themed shows and fashions floating around. Says a lot about the current state of the world I think, in that we’re always yearning to escape back to a simpler, happier time.