’80s Asian style (Image from Sheffield School)
Today we celebrate ’80s interior design with the help of Sheffield School, which offers distance education programs in interior design and design-related fields. It turns out the school’s first year of business was 1985, and their website includes a fabulous, image-filled article on the Larger Than Life 80s! Sheffield Dean and interior designer Thomas Saxon looks back at our favorite decade, noting trends like an emphasis on the exotic and the eclectic, as shown in the living room above.
Below we see an ’80s glam bedroom, complete with a gilded armoire and Lucite four-poster bed. Other notable highlights: shiny burgundy bedding and an elegant potted palm. Very Dynasty, yet very timeless.
An elegant ’80s bedroom (Image from Sheffield School)
We end with a bright living room that features seating for an army. Say what you will about sectional sofas, but they sure do accommodate a crowd! In fact, they’ve made a comeback in recent years. Want to make a sectional sofa fabulous? Don’t forget the pillows! The seating below boasts a popular ’80s color scheme: gray, black and white. A wide lamp, pedestal side table, and brass coffee table sculpture are other accents. Not to mention, another potted palm!
An ’80s living room (Image from Sheffield School)
Check out the rest of the article here. You won’t want to miss this, folks–Sheffield Dean Thomas Saxon goes on to discuss other popular ’80s trends, such as African motifs and faux suede. He also reflects on ’80s decor that has made an interior design comeback, such as metallic wallpaper, mirrored surfaces and geometric prints. Enjoy, and Happy Wednesday!
Would these work as 80s cushions or is it too 90s looking?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390500276004?ssPageName…
I think they could work! There’s something ’80s Southwestern about them, so if you’re going for a true ’80s look, you could definitely achieve that by combining these with another ’80s Southwestern item to bring out the retro look!
At the same time, there’s something ornate about them that could definitely steer them in a non-’80s direction if they were put in a more traditional setting. I think it’s all about what you surround them with. Thanks for your comment!
Thanks so much for the reply. I think you’re right, they’re too strong a statement for the 80s, if you look in 80s interiors cushions were mostly solid colours or striped pastel shades and had what we call the “oxford edge” in the UK, that piping (there’s a different term for it in the US, I can’t remember it!).
Sure I’ll put some pics up once I get the remodel done, just need to move first!
It’s going to be all pastel shades, marble and chrome/brass with exotic house plants in oversized pots everywhere. Hope to capture that nice calming soothing and optimistic feel 80s interiors seemed to have.
Have a great christmas and look forward to your updates in 2013!
Btw, there are some great 80s inspiration things here:
http://pinterest.com/rockfit/activity/
I know exactly what you mean about the oxford edge! I hope your Christmas was great, and that your New Year is off to a wonderful start. I can’t wait to see your remodel. It sounds absolutely amazing. And I love that you mention the optimistic feel of ’80s interiors. You are so right! There is something dazzling yet comforting at the same time.
Thanks also for the Rocksteady Fitness recommendation. I’ve been in touch with the owner of that company–he is inspired by ’80s design and has used it in his marketing and interiors as well. In fact, I’m interviewing him for a feature this month. So glad you enjoy his Pinterest boards!
Thanks again for your comment–
Keep in touch,
Kate