Brits are going retro when it comes to decorating their homes, according to John Lewis’ annual customer shopping habits survey.
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The retailer’s 2015 How We Shop, Live & Look report reveals a growing trend for ’70s-inspired wallpaper, furniture and accessories. If you fancy giving your home a retro vibe here’s how to do it.
1. Modern, colour-popping dining chairs
Seventies’ kitchens mixed chrome and colour for the most modern look — and you’ll never go wrong with orange when it comes to ’70s decor. Orange Vilmar chair, Ikea (£25).
2. Statement bedding
Big, bold prints were huge in the ’70s. For retro chic bedding, you can’t go wrong with Orla Kiely. Scribble Stem bedding, Orla Kiely (from £28).
3. Glam rock walls
Another popular theme in ’70s home furnishings was glam rock. This mustard Wayne Hemingway-designed wallpaper ticks all the retro boxes but isn’t so wild that you’ll tire of it quickly. Do the Stretch wallpaper, Graham & Brown (£20 per roll).
4. Country cottage kitchen
The ’70s weren’t all about the ultra-modern — appreciating craftsmanship and rediscovering the past was also popular. Pine furniture really took off during this decade, following Terence Conran’s pine range in the very first Habitat shops in the mid ’60s. By the end of the ’70s a pine dresser was on the wish list of every aspiring middle-class housewife. Pine 2-door spice dresser, Pine Welsh Dressers (£299).
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5. Sunburst clock
Popular in the ’50s and ’60s, by the ’70s the sunburst clock was still a must-have accessory. No kitchen wall was complete without one. Newgate Pluto Wall Clock, Red Candy (£120).
6. A decadent statement chair
Parker Knoll’s renowned Statesman Chair was first launched in 1960 and was hugely popular in the ’70s. It went out of production in the early ’90s but has now been reintroduced, answering the prayers of those whose living rooms aren’t complete without a sumptuous red velvet recliner chair. Parker Knoll Statesman Recliner Chair in Mystic Heritage, John Lewis (£1,999).
7. Vintage florals
If replica prints aren’t good enough, shop around for a vintage ’70s piece. Etsy is perfect for retro items, like this colourful Scandinavian-style floral tablecloth, Vintage floral tablecloth, Etsy (£35).
8. Vitra Eames lounge chair
It was first designed in 1956 but nothing says ’70s comfort more than the iconic Vitra Eames lounge chair, the more modern, comfortable answer to the club chair favoured earlier in the 20th century. For optimum comfort, go all out and invest in the matching ottoman. Vitra Eames lounge chair and ottoman, John Lewis (from £6,097).
9. Quirky coasters
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to a Vitra Eames, pop a few vintage coasters on your coffee table for an instant feel-good ’70s vibe. Stylish? Maybe not. But ’70s? Absolutely. Set of 5 metal vintage car coasters, Pineapple Retro (£5).
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