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.
An ’80s Southwestern House
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…
’80s Pastel Power
While researching pastel interior design for another article, I came across images of sky-themed wallpaper, flamingos and other ’80s-fabulous motifs. To my surprise, the source of origin for these pics was a 2010 article from The Guardian! And it seems some of the featured products are still available for purchase. Because when you combine a pink bird with a Memphis-Milano color palette, it just doesn’t get any better…
The Apartment of Interior Designer Rafael de Cárdenas
A month ago we featured the work of interior designer Rafael de Cárdenas of Architecture at Large. Not only does de Cárdenas delight in ’80s geometric motifs, he is an ardent proponent of color! You can imagine how delighted we were to stumble upon Sight Unseen and their in-depth tour of de Cárdenas’ New York apartment! Perhaps what we love most is the way the designer integrates the ’80s into his spaces while maintaining his own sense of style. Above we see a 1980s sculpture that de Cárdenas found at his grandmother’s house.
The Work of Architecture at Large
Today we’re thrilled to spotlight the work of Rafael de Cárdenas, founder of Architecture at Large, a resource for design vision and execution focused on residential and commercial interiors, architecture, furniture and integrated objects. Stunning color and bold geometry are key qualities of Architecture at Large pieces and interiors. We can’t help but see undertones of 1980s Memphis-Milano motifs!
’80s-Style Acrylic Furniture from Alexandra Von Furstenberg
If you think the image above is a set piece from the movie Tron, think again. This acrylic desk is one of many stunning pieces offered by designer Alexandra Von Furstenberg. Once married to the son of designer Diane Von Furstenberg, Alexandra has made a name for herself by creating a series of colorful acrylic furnishings. Our favorite part: many of these showpieces have a distinct ’80s vibe!
’80s Treasures from Lobel Modern
In our last post, we featured the New York City apartment of designer Evan Lobel, which showcases an assortment of luxe ’80s finds. Today we spotlight the treasures offered in his Bond Street store Lobel Modern, which offers furnishings and decor from the 1940s-1980s. With an eye for large-scale items that capture the decadence and elegance of our favorite decade, Evan Lobel is bringing a love of ’80s design to a new generation of enthusiasts.
Are the ’80s the Next Mid-Century?
Today we travel back in time, but not to the ’80s… Our date of choice is May 13, 2007, when the New York Times published an article titled “The Next Mid-Century.” Guess which decade was the focus? You got it–the decade of decadence! In the article, writer David Colman discussed ’80s designers/decorators like Karl Springer, Angelo Donghia, Charles Hollis Jones and Michael Taylor. In fact, these designers often had pieces custom-made for their clients. And yes, it’s still out there, ready to be collected by a new set of design enthusiasts!
Awesome ’80s-Style Shelving Options
I keep coming across shelving options that scream ’80s. Perhaps it’s the geometry of the pieces, or maybe it’s the use of lacquer, gloss and mirrors. Definitely for bolder design tastes, these display items are scene-stealers. One thing is for sure: my collection of ’80s ceramic swans would look amazing against the backdrop of chrome and glass!
Friday Video Pick: “So Unreal” by LA Vampires Featuring Matrix Metals
Today’s Friday Video Pick is a new piece that’s exploding with ’80s motifs. Grids, LaserDiscs, Trapper Keeper-ish graphic design and references to artist Patrick Nagel are a few of the many 1980s flourishes packed into this six-minute style fest featuring LA Vampires. There’s even a plasma ball that may as well have been plucked from the shelves of The Sharper Image in all of its electrified glory.
