How to bring 1970s retro style into your home
Words by Lisa O’Neil
Neutral colours and cool, hard surfaces – take a back seat. The warmth and sophistication of the 1970s has made its way back to the forefront of interior design, bringing with it plenty of colour, softness and striking silhouettes that elevate the living space to one you’ll never want to leave.
When asked about the most influential era of home design, Ligne Roset Perth Managing Director Michael Fotis is utterly captivated by the decade of his childhood. The 1970s evoke a warm and fuzzy sense of nostalgia for many, as a time where families congregated around the one television after dinner, as the colour version burst into Australian families’ homes around 1975.
“It really elevated the importance of the home’s living areas when previously, in the 50s and 60s, it was all closed-off spaces – they loved a wall back then,” Michael said. “The 1970s saw an entry point to open plan living, the era of sunken lounges and big entertaining spaces.”
Above: The Miller House’s iconic conversation pit epitomises 70s open entertaining zones. Credit: the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Within Studio’s Sarah Coghlan agrees it was a time we invited fun into homes, where colour, pattern and geometry lifted our spirits with a sense of happiness cast throughout.
“There was a playful touch to interior design in the 70s and I love that we’ve returned to that,” Sarah said. “While there’s a lot of beauty in minimalist designs, the 70s’ style of home embodies a welcoming atmosphere where personal touches like children’s artwork and gifts from friends can enhance a space, working beautifully alongside the warm timbers, burnt oranges and greens the 70s represent.”
Aside from the groovy patterns and warm colour palettes, the 70s was also a period that represented sustainability where we bought household items to last.
“The heritage DNA is a part of everything we do at Ligne Roset,” Michael said. “We don’t follow trends, but as a heritage brand we reflect on designs from the past with the intention it will last generations.
“We create beautiful pieces that might reflect various decades of design, sometimes with new techniques through our emerging designers, but always with utmost care and craftmanship.”
Ligne Roset Perth has a host of ways to introduce the warmth, cosiness, and fun of the 70s into your home. Whether it’s via thoughtful furniture choices, some reupholstery or clever layering pieces, here are some ideas to create spaces that instantly lift your spirits as you enter them.
1970s designs
With the Togo Sofa’s 50th birthday celebrated last year, this lounge was born in 1973 yet remains Ligne Roset’s staple piece because of the function, comfort and quality it represents. French seating designer Michel Ducaroy created the pillow-like Togo for Ligne Roset with its structure-less, foam-filled body
“It’s an iconic lounge, with its low and slouchy form fitting so well into the 70s aesthetic while providing ultimate comfort for your family and guests to sit on,” Michael said.
Alternatively, Ducaroy’s Kashima sofa is making a comeback with Ligne Roset recently re-issuing the curved, quilted sofa that was quintessentially 70s.
“The 1976 Kashima design and shape is the classic Chesterfield look, but unlike its contemporaries, you can sit in comfort here for hours,” Michael said. “The Kashima is designed with the Ligne Roset custom fabric and trademark all-foam construction with the Chesterfield silhouette.”
Above: The Kashima’s soft curves provides ultimate comfort and sophisticated silhouette.
Colours
“The beauty of colour is you can instantly reflect an era or a style – a classic tan leather on the TOGO couch fits with a warm, cosy 70s interior, whereas select a bold purple velvet for the same and you have a one-of-a-kind statement piece,’ Sarah advised.
Above: The Togo composition in tan leather and Togo Fireside Chair with footstool (in camel) envelope this inviting living room.
Nothing says 70s better than earthy colours such as ochre, terracotta and warm browns and wide ranging palettes of green from avocado to khaki.
Layering
We think every home should have a Togo or Kashima sofa (visit us here to find out why), if your loungeroom already has its forever sofa, you can still introduce the cosy appeal of the 70s with smaller pieces.
Sarah suggests bringing in textural delights such as velvet-covered cushions or furry rugs to sink your toes into after a long day. Michael says Ligne Roset has expanded its collection to include beautiful dark walnut cabinetry and many luxurious-feeling textures.
“We have tactile fabrics like boucle and velvet – a boucle covered Kashima would be beautiful for a retreat-styled space,” Michael suggested.
For pure aesthetics, Ligne Roset has lamps and vases in a vast range of colours that instantly transform a space.
Above: Smaller pieces such as the Dita Sideboard in timber, the smoky colours of our Buee vases and the sculptural form of the Asymetric vase and table lamp will all contribute to a 70s cosy vibe in your home.
Credits:
Story by, Ligne Roset Perth 2024.
