Summer is in full swing! If you’re planning a summer party with an ’80s theme, the good news is that the Decade of Decadence is back. In a big way! Get ready for palm leaves, bright hues and geo forms…
’80s Movie Style: Jaws 3
Welcome to the world of Jaws 3! Originally released as Jaws 3-D (a 3D feature), this was a movie that I saw at the theater three times, one of them for my birthday party as a young elementary school student. Sound like a scary movie for kids? You should’ve seen the movies we watched at our slumber parties!…
Colorful AMAC Boxes
If you remember these M-Series plastic boxes from the ’80s, you may be surprised to know that AMAC has been manufacturing them since the ’60s. In fact, they’re a vibrant piece of design history, and you can find them in the permanent design collection at MoMA!
Patterned Wallpaper: Then and Now
Remember when design lovers couldn’t wait to take a scraper to the walls after moving to a new home marked by patterned wallpaper? My, how things have changed! With a wallpaper revival in full effect, there’s never been a better time to surround yourself with an array of colors and patterns…
Top Gun Style: A Tropical Patio
When it comes to relaxing this summer, I’ve been watching a LOT of ’80s movies, and last week was all about Top Gun. This 1986 film directed by Tony Scott features one-liners like “I feel the need…the need for speed!” But today the focus is on slowing down and chilling out from the comfort of a retro-style patio. Yes, this entire blog post is devoted to the patio scene from Top Gun…
Retro Architecture at the Beach
Happy first day of summer! I wanted to start off the week by sharing some snapshots from our beach trip this weekend. I was determined to get some photos of beachfront architecture, but what I didn’t expect was the large number of hotels and office buildings that were built in the ’70s and ’80s…
Marble, Granite, Pattern and Texture
Let’s talk about texture, shall we?! One of my favorite ways to create visual texture is through pattern, and marble is a great place to start. It has the power to evoke instant ’80s style, whether you’re looking to channel modern or Deco flair. Yet other stone-inspired patterns (such as granite) can create a Memphis-Milano look at home…
Retro-Modern Roundup: Mad About Memphis
With Memphis-Milano style back on our radar, a new wave of artists, designers and curators are celebrating geometric forms, interesting patterns and bold color combinations. New Memphis style has a modern edge, sometimes a tad more minimal than its ’80s predecessor, and at other times even more vivid. Here are some recent projects, photos and offerings that celebrate Memphis style…
A Summer Photo Shoot
Happy Summer! I raided the Mirror80 prop closet this week to create a few colorful still life vignettes. The goal: to try and capture the festivity of summer with retro-modern flair. Neon coil bracelets, confetti, tinsel, drink umbrellas…nothing was off limits. Take a look at how it all came together!
’80s Movie Style: Wall Street
Welcome to New York in the ’80s, where money is power in a city that never sleeps. This is the dynamic setting of Wall Street, a movie that features skilled acting by Charlie Sheen and Michael Douglas, as well as a plot involving a romance with an interior decorator, wonderfully played by Daryl Hannah. Directed by Oliver Stone in 1987, the film explores issues such as excess and decadence. And interior design!
