Artistic ’80s Interiors

What are we looking at here?! Is it the set of a Thompson Twins video? Actually, it’s 1980s product photography featuring a geometric design by Brooke Rugs. In fact, all of the images featured in today’s post blur the line between art and design. Some of these dreamy spaces appear in ads, while others are true ’80s interiors that people were lucky enough to live and work in. All are from GPI’s International Collection of Interior Design (1986)…

Above we see a plant-surrounded room inside a home by Charles Gwathmey of Gwathmey Siegel & Associates, Architects [photo by Norman McGrath]. Below is a photo from an ad for Christina Bergh Tapestries and Textiles. The tapestry behind the counter was commissioned by the First Interstate Bank in Santa Fe.

A column, a sculpture, a large floral arrangement, a tennis racket, and stylishly bunched fabric are set against a dark, modern backdrop in the image below, which introduces the International Collection of Interior Design’s “Focus on Design” section:

A series of blue hearts adorn the ’80s modern bathroom in the next image, which features products by GORENJE:

Last but not least, we see the the study of a Houston condo designed by Billy Francis. With a desk/table by Knoll, a lamp by Cedric Hartman, desk accessories by Mark Cross, and artwork by Bill Sheperd, the space is sleek and modern, with an other-worldly element:

The spaces above are inspiring, precisely because they take design risks, beautifully combining sleek style with a dose of whimsy. Some of them are surreal, while others are have a sci-fi quality to them. When it comes to amazing images featured in the International Collection of Interior Design, today’s photos are only the tip of the iceberg. Not to mention, the book is packed with stunning ’80s interior design ads. A special thank you to my dear friend Jon of Happy Mundane for gifting me with this incredible publication! Now who’s ready to redecorate?!…