With plenty of white, gold, chrome, and colorful options, statement light fixtures steal the spotlight of the room in the best way for this design trend. The coleopter might not have been intended for spaceflight, but this colorful concept from a group of French-German researchers reflects a distinctly 1950s optimism about the future of space exploration. Along with the starburst and representation of the atom, the boomerang shape was also an atomic-era favorite, showing up in furniture and decor, as well as in patterns and prints. Nonetheless, these are all really cool designs. Designed by architect Stanley C Meston, to capture the attention of those passers-by, the structure features two parabolic arches in yellow, designed to mimic the M within the McDonald's logo. Another common material that's getting an update is metal. Different from the bold and warm colors seen in the retro space age designs, this time, the focus is on cool, soft tones and wintery neutrals. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Stylistic devices of streamline designlike [the] aeronautical shapes of a torpedo, airplane, or trainalso became synonymous with this notion of futuristic design during the atomic era, she explains, noting that atomic age design is considered part of the midcentury-modern movement. We have a lot of new technology, but were not living like the Jetsons, so were still holding onto the vision of the future we had growing up., 2023 Cond Nast. After the popularity of midcentury-modern design peaked in the 1950s and 1960s, it barely went out of style before reemergingin the late 1990s. Alessandra suggests this is possible because atomic and Space Age architecture and decor continue to feature in depictions of the future in popular culture, and, in turn, our imagination. Once again, theres a duality to atomic age designexcept this time, instead of speaking to the hopes and fears of postwar America, it manages to read as both dated and futuristic. TV shows such as The Jetsons (1962-1963) portrayed these visions presenting a futuristic environment saturated with visualizations of Googie architecture. Everything from lampshades to couches was reimagined with lightweight materials, bright colors, and streamlined designs. Unlike other films of that era, A Space Odyssey showed outer space as a silent place, rather than as a hotbed of deafening explosions. This isn't the retro space age design trend of the 50s and 60s. The building transforms itself as widely known, from the appearance of a flying carpet to an embellished and captivating spaceship. The space age design style is a relic of the post-WWII era and came during a period of huge technological advancements in the aerospace industry. Later that year, AT&T; installed their first commercial videophone unit, the Picturephone Mod I, in public booths around the country, but the expense of making a call curbed the technologys popularity. By the '80s, this portable cocktail-hour staple was replaced by built-in bars. 2002-2023 LoveToKnow Media. With a major presence on modern-day social media, we don't foresee this style going anywhere anytime soon. Philco emerged as the market winner after successfully shrinking the cathode ray tube enough so that it could be accommodated in a 21-inch TV set. While it feels like a modern take on eclecticism, bohemian design gave way to the hippie culture of the 1960s and '70s. If there's one piece of furniture that screams the '60s, it's the sleek S-curved chair you've undoubtedly seen in era movies and vintage magazines. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. By then, Americans fascination with outer space had been increasing steadily. Even though it had been considered the peak of futuristic design, the space-age design eventually came to be seen as old, outdated, and stuffy as newer, A design couldnt be space-age without a streamlined profile. Sometimes youll be on a track (or guideway), other times youll turn into a road. Atomic design in the 21st century is toned down a lotexcept when people are looking to create a very nostalgic space.. Though pastel green and pink bathrooms were all the rage during the 1950s, the designers opted to pair a darker green with white for more of a crisp look. As an example in the hit TV Sci-Fi series Space 1999 (1975-77) production design sought to use futuristic features such as the popular Sorella Table lamp by Harvey Guzzini in an effort to appear as contemporary as attainable. American spacecraft achieved many milestones in space travel, first transporting animals into space before eventually taking humans into low earth orbit. In other words, the space race not only was an important scientific endeavor but a source of national pride as well. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. The recessed conversation spot recaptures some of the snug comfort of the Early American hearthside. What we recognize today asSputnik-style light fixtures are probably the best-known example of atomic age design. As always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us. The thrill of adventure was heightened through depictions on television, which was high-tech in itself. A space-age chair sporting bright colors and a curvy design is pretty easy to find. As earlyas the 1890sroughly a decade after thefirst sections of Manhattan were electrifiedarchitects and other artists were incorporatinglightning bolts,light bulbs, andtelegraph wires depicting the invisible yet powerful force into their work. Trends that accompanied space age design style in its original reign still work nicely alongside the modern trend. Matte and satin finishes have been on trend for the last decade, but high gloss is making its bold return. While it seems that only recently plant parents have taken pride in growing their flora family to double digits and beyond,indoor gardenswere huge in the '60s. Sydney is a commercial and residential interior designer and design writer with a specialization in color theory. The other benefit of composite materials is that they look very futuristic by default. Other examples of iconic atomic decor include George NelsonsBall Wall Clock, introduced in 1949, and theEames Hang-It-All, which came out in 1953. A renewed interest in space exploration is bringing this mid-century style to modern homes. Heres a look back at the history of this decor of the future, including its place in the ongoing midcentury-modern revival of the present. Much as with mid-century modern design, space-age design makes generous use of round shapes. These dream cars designed by Fords Advanced Styling Studio were never produced, but they include several of the eras most distinctive design characteristics: tailfins, sleek silhouettes, curved edges, and a hood that could probably impale you. Center of attraction in this attractive apartment living room is the entertainment carousel. Design: Allie Boesch Designs, Photo: Amy Bartlam. The growing popularity of foreign travel in the '60s sparked the influence of other cultures featured in home design. To avoid a common interior design mistake, it is best to have a lot of free square footage for the interior space age design to work without feeling cluttered. Disclaimer: Contractors.com is not receiving any type of compensation for reviewing any of the products mentioned in this article. Space age interior design is a thoroughly 1950s trend that was a direct response to Americas major achievements in space travel. The retro-modern space-age house: The Home of the Future at Disneyland & other lifestyle predictions ('50s & '60s), The first family of the future: The Jetsons (1962), Live Jetsons-style in the home of tomorrow! , structures, consumer products, and cars with space-age motifs. The house has inspired sets on several sci-fi films and TV shows, such as Charlies Angels and Lost in Space, and it is also considered a Los Angeles historic-cultural monument. Building it required no technological breakthroughs, just a large budget and the willingness of the public to adjust their travel habits. A new minimalism echoed futuristic labs, gadgets were in high demand and everywhere The kids are more interested in what theyve found under the tree. While the suits of these factory workers dont conform to the populuxe aesthetic so integral to the Space Age, their suits bear a tremendous resemblance to a late 1950s space suit design; in fact, we acknowledged their similarity in the articles title, which proclaimed that workers would wear space suits in a new gas-filled factor (which might as well have been a hostile planet). first sections of Manhattan were electrified, deemed outdated and removed from the park. Find out if you need to create a new focal point, or remove obstructions that can increase the functionality or versatility of a particular space. As you will see on these two pages, Schriddes talent perfectly captures the eras sleek futurism style and space-age optimism in each of his illustrated designs. Ahead, here are 20 ways to incorporate the best of the '60s in every room of your home. Webstacey cheli. Creations which echo the pop culture and spirit of their time. The restored light-colored wood paneling, original poured-in-place terrazzo stone fireplace, and various shades of green in the living room reference the color scheme popular when the Palm Springs home was built in 1953. A Googie building would symbolize that a business was with the times, proving popular with visitors. Thats why they conceived the Urbmobile, a vehicle that combines driving to work with rapid transit. When going for furniture shopping go for designs that are wooden framed with dark finishes. Select your destination, turn on the television, and let the Urbmobile do the rest. If the fabric says luxury, then it will fit right in with modern space age design trends. For best results, we recommend opting for textiles that stand out for their colorfulness and that look composite. Moroccan influences were often seen in homes during this time via textiles, rugs, floor pillows, and ornaments. Try a wallpaper with an abstract pattern in bathrooms or offices. It's a tall order to scroll through Instagram and not see photos of macram wall hangings. So when does the atomic age end and theSpace Age begin? Interestingly, so were shapes like diamonds and amoebas, which Howard says plugged into more of an organic vibe, embracing a different branch of science. the appearance of a flying carpet to an embellished and captivating spaceship, Space Age aesthetic within the interior design world, production design sought to use futuristic features. Fortunately, bringing this unique design aesthetic into your home can be done affordably and easily, so long as you know what areas to focus on. By the early 1960s, there had been a transition towards more fabricated materials, getting closer to Space Age design.. These tech solutions might seem gimmicky but they can be quite useful for certain applications. Then and now, the popular style boasts warm tones, natural fibers, and tons of texture. The rise of Googie architecture in the US from the mid-40s to the '70s originated in California. Beyond quelling national anxieties, Alessandra says that the futuristic look of atomic age design reflected the hope that the technology would make peoples livesand the worlda better place. Note: ClickAmericana.com features authentic historical information, and is not intended to represent current best practices on any topic, particularly with regard to health and safety. Published Oct 3, 2017 9:00 PM EDT. Our favorite way to modernize the trend of yesteryear is to limewash it, which removes orange undertones and makes it look more neutral. Note: ClickAmericana.com features authentic historical information, and is not intended to represent current best practices on any topic, particularly with regard to health and safety, but also in terms of outdated cultural depictions and social values. The new space age style is the perfect trend to embrace if you're looking for something that hasn't quite saturated the home design world yet. Because of this, your space age design style will feel new, chic, and ahead of the trends. Work in a few space age elements at a time for a subtle way to bring your home into the future of interior design.