A time which saw the rise of Molly Ringwald, the introduction of beloved alien E.T, a rainbow of make-up shades employed from lash to eyebrow, a renewed ‘Modern Love’-era Bowie, the sweep of t-bar necklaces and even the dreaded bum bag; the 1980’s was one of the more iconic decades of the 20th century. The wonderful strangeness of the era was echoed in home interiors, many of the styles riding the wave that the 1970’s had started. Thankfully, the heavy, unnecessary elements can be taken away from the core features, allowing 80’s-inspired modern interiors to be introduced into our homes. We have put together some ideas to get the ball rolling and the design dreams flowing. 

 

Hanging Plants, Ivy & Palm

Let’s think of ‘The Golden Girls’ for a second. Remember how many plants and plant motifs were dotted around their Miami home? Scale that down and you probably remember something similar in your own home. Perhaps a hall hanging pot with ivy spilling over its sides, or a cascade of greenery rolling over high-set cabinets?

The modern approach: Don’t overdo it. Keep your plants trim, uncluttered and place them in spaces that need a lift, treating them as a feature in themselves, not just an add-on.

 

 

Miami Nice

Speaking of palm leaves and Miami, riding off the back of the 1970’s, this particular plant was often paired with a very specific colour – pink. A combination that has come back into the world of interiors with a stylistic vengeance.

The modern approach: Save it for one specific feature. This can be as large or small a feature as you wish, but one is enough. If you want pink and palm curtains or a duvet, go for it, but don’t decorate the entire room this way. Save some room for complementary minimalism or clean space. We love this framed picture idea for incorporating the trend.

Picture Perfect Pastels

Soft pinks, blues, purples, yellows… you name it, it went into the house. Usually with a combination of all these soft tones in one feature – most often the couch or wallpaper.

The modern approach: Fortunately pastels are an easy update when it comes to modernisation, as the colours themselves remain uplifting and pretty, but the way they’re used has changed. Take this image below, for example. Not only does it employ the pastel trend, but bonus points for the use of (striped) wallpaper in the bathroom, an actual wall border and wooden wall paneling! And somehow, despite all this, it’s gorgeous, because the shades have been carefully chosen and balanced with white and cream. Applause.

Wood & Wicker

Remember those carved wooden dining chairs with the rounded back panels that dug into the body as if they were built to make you sit straight? Yeah, those. Often high-backed, with some sort of wicker or cushioned base – though the cushion was removable, tied on with slightly dodgy strings – those chairs were very of the time and it might seem a bit of a stretch to create a contemporary version of those, but it can be done.

The modern approach: Thankfully the 80’s chair has evolved into a refined, though still quite solid to sit on, form. These beautiful dark wood dining chairs below even have the traditional wicker seat, but it is beautifully woven to create a sharp array of detail, while the curved legs and frame of the chair handsomely fit around it, the wood offering a high-shine polish and architectural dedication to design.

Curtain Call

The dedication to drapery in the 80’s was astounding. Layers upon layers of fabric, dressed with valances and window jabots were the thing. Of course, it wasn’t necessarily just to cover windows. Door curtains, bed curtains, they all were very much in vogue. Well, running with this multi-layered fabric dressing idea, the look can be brought to a new standard – but it will always have a very ornate, retro or vintage feel. It’s simply too embedded in a bygone mindset, but that doesn’t mean it can’t work with contemporary styling.

The modern approach: Own it. Go for an ornate or shine fabric to play up the retro/vintage feel, but pair it with a clean, minimalist wall colouring and floor, so it doesn’t become overpowering.

 

Heart of Glass

Glass tabletops, lamp bases, coasters… need I go on? Glass was the easy-clean, but decorative answer to everything in the 80’s.

The modern approach: An architectural base or frame, like the elegant hairpin legs on our Ikon Dining Table will instantly update a glass table, or the diamond-like framework on on the table below, adding interest and stealing away the 1980’s overkill.

Detailed Displays

While they might have held every ornament in the house – as well as the good wedding china – display cabinets were popular kitchen and living room features forty years ago. But even still, they have managed to hold onto the interior style train, slotting into a 2018 home as easily as they might have in a 1988 home.

The modern approach: It’s more what you put inside it. Curated, tidy contents and an opportunity for further design detail are the things to keep in mind when filling your shelves.