Ina Garten’s 1970s Living Room Is a Treasure Trove of Retro Style – Inspiring a Homage to Iconic Design Pieces That Still Feel Modern Today
Decades later, the Barefoot Contessa's living room continues to stand proud. It teaches us the power of embracing the past and its many iconic designs
The world of interior design is always drawing from the past to inspire the present day. While creativity is all around us and plenty of styles are entirely new, like all good things, most of today's interior design trends acknowledge historic styles and artistic movements in some small way.
I'm constantly looking at interiors of the past to inspire my home's design. Whether it's an archival book filled with enviable interiors from the 1990s or a magazine featuring retro interiors, looking back through time is the recipe for a truly well-designed home.
Shop the Look
Ina's living room is a classic '70s design. Featuring a geometric rug (very indicative of the era), wooden spindle chairs, and a couch with contrasting piping, it's filled with retro home decor that we can draw inspiration from today.
Woven in a classic checkered pattern, the Julia rug is an enduringly stylish choice that subtly nods to the past without feeling kitschy or a little pastiche.
Spindle chairs are a long-loved classic, possessing the ability to bring rustic charm into any space. In the case of Ina's living room, they add a lived-in familiarity and an instant hit of coziness.
A lasting style with a deep-rooted past, this pinstriped upholstered armchair is the perfect way to fuse history into the present day. Much like Ina's striped sofa, it's simple but enduringly elegant.
Ina's living room is filled with midcentury modern furnishings, decor and furniture. Featuring spindle chairs that couldn't be more retro, a piped sofa that dons a subtle pinstripe print, and a rather flamboyant geometric rug that feels oh-so '70s, almost every piece in Ina's past living room continues to shine proudly, even decades later.
While drawing inspiration from such a recognizable era can be a little scary, incorporating small doses of retro furniture and decorations is the best way to pay homage to the past. A set of spindle chairs like Ina's can bring a lived-in charm to any room, particularly when mismatched with a dining table. Similarly, a striking rug with a bold pattern can introduce a punchy pop of playfulness to a minimal living room or bare hallway.
If braving a bold pattern or retro furniture style isn't for you, pay attention to the more subtle furnishings in Ina's space. The timeless pinstripe sofa has a historic, heritage feel that's easy to incorporate into today's settings, much like the heavy drapes fitted with rope tiebacks that can bring a sophisticated, refined feel to any space.
Ina's sneak peek of her living room from the 1970s couldn't be more insightful. It's filled with retro furnishings and furniture that still feel stylish and current today.
