Vintage vs. Modern

Today lets have a look at some office decor. Modern office decor is so different compared to the 50's and 60's. The furniture has changed so much, and now I feel its a bit cold or tries to hard to be clean, straight, 'modern' or 'contemporary'. Again, Mad Men creates a fantastic reinterpretation of the 1960's office place. Typewriters are busy in the background, couches, chairs and desks represent the time period and there is a slight romance to it all, that really doesn't exists in the modern office.

Ive posted just a few pictures  Ive found on the web. The first three are vintage office from the 50's and 60s, while the remaining are modern day offices. There is a clear difference 

 

The photo to the left is from a website called We Heart It. The office in the picture is combining vintage and modern office ideas, and creates a beautiful office- in fact, Id love for my office to be like that! The page this photo is found on features numerous other glamorous and peaceful office spaces, which I believe to be the current trend, especially for personal or home office spaces. http://weheartit.com/tag/interiors

I hope to do some hunting around to find items to take pictures of myself to to show you some of the fantastic retro office decor floating around today.

The Typewriter

Continuing with our office theme...

Today, I want to have a look at some common items found around the office and some typical decor of past era's

Firstly, I wanted to give you an oh so brief history of the typewritter:

The first typewriter was produced in 1870; this version is quite different that what we know to be a conventional typewriter. In 1914, what was considered the first practical power operated typewriter, was invented by James Feilds Smathers. In 1923 he turned over the model to the Northeast Electric Company of Rochester for development. In 1925, Remington Electric typewriters were produced, powered by Northeast's motors... so on and so forth... throughout the years, different companies also began to produce typewriters, such as Delco and IBM. However, the typewriter become obsolete as modern technology gave way to the Computer, By the 1980's most large and government offices, no longer used typewriters and soon everyone else would follow.

Some photos of the models throughout the years:

1930's

1940s and 1950's

1960s above and 1970's below

And finally, a 1980's model

More office decor to come....

I almost forgot...

 Happy Office Administrators Day!!

The Retro Office...

I figured I would stick with the office decor theme this week, seeing as how I finally got to show you some fabulous aspects of my own little work place.

 

Today, then, Ive found some pictures of office places from the 1940's,1950's and 1960's so you can see what a retro office was like. Mad Men, for example, provides a picture of a 1960's office for the modern viewer and younger generation ( those who are too young to have experienced it first hand).Type writers and metal desks where the stationary of secretaries; bulky phones, intercom systems, and other outdated technology could easily be spotted in some of this pictures.

There a certain glamour among secretaries of the 50's and 60's... a forgotten glamour really. While the girls then, where so well put together, with kitten heals, perfectly placed hair, skirts and dresses, today's working girl is quite different. Sex appeal is used in smaller doses, and the need to dress your best isn't always the case.

Other things have altered too. The office parties are not the same, coca cola, coffee, tea and water have replaced whiskey, Bourbon and rye, and well, the boss isn't as sleazy ...or charming. The office place has changed a great deal throughout the years. Modern technology makes work much easier, and women have gained more respect and higher paying positions. But still, as I sit in my cherry wood L-shaped desk, with my high backed cushioned chair, I cant help but day dream what it would be like to be a secretary in the 1950's.

For your viewing pleasure

 Finally... my retro office. Like I had mentioned previously, the filing systems are built into the wall. To the right, is a Rolodex system. Each shelf pulls out and is filled with little metal cards, with address' of business' pressed in to them, which I assume, to be a stamp...?

There is also a filing cabinet built right into the wall, as well as another sort of filing system, of several clear drawers. I'm not too sure what they were used for, or if they could have been very efficient.

And to top it off, there are 'secret' shelves built into the lovely wood paneling in one of the offices.The poster on the door was there when I arrived, which must be a few years old itself.

Forgive the awful picture placement; I'm having a difficult time trying to place them...a kink Im sure to sort out soon.

My Retro Dining Table

 Finally, I have pictures for you of my own lovely retro dining table. It has a white base, and a gold crack and star burst pattern.
I made some yummy cupcakes and thought they deserved to be photographed too.

I wanted to show you the underneath, as well because its made of wood,which you might not expect... I know I didn't.

I'm still keeping an eye out for a gorgeous red or blue table and some chairs to match the one I have now. Let me know your thoughts, and if you have a fabulous retro dining table too!

My smashing 70's office

As it happens, Ive lent my camera out and haven't been able to take pictures of my table for you! I know, heartbreaking. But to keep you interested, I wanted to tell you about my office, which is pretty retro all by itself.

It has fantastic fluorescent lighting, which actually isn't so fantastic. It has wood panelled walls and secret shelves behind the wood paneling. And the best parts are the filing systems built into the walls... which I'm certain are very dated, indeed. To start there is a filing cabinet built into the wall; they're are no sliding drawers, rather the door slides, not allowing you to easily see the names of the files. Then there is a very odd filing system,which looks like a very large tool kit- they kind with all the little clear drawers to sort and separate nuts and bolts, etc. This one is five drawers across, and seven down... perhaps it was some sort of mail sorting system, I'm not sure. Then, there is a Rolodex filing system, in the wall! There are a few drawers, filled with old metal stamps, which have address on them.

These things, I promise to photograph for you. Its all a bit 70's, which I have to admit is not my favorite era, as things don't seem to be as aesthetically pleasing. None the less, I think you will enjoy the trip around my little office, which will most likely encourage a post on fabulous office decor from the 50's.

I plan on posting some pictures of my lovely little retro kitchen table on Monday so I can share with you a little bit on my own retro/vintage collection.
In the meantime have a fabulous weekend.

Retro Dining Tables

One of my favorite vintage pieces and home decor items is the Arborite, chrome accented kitchen set. I don't know if you've noticed that tables sets clearly dictate the ear in which they come from. The 50's and 60's had the tables like I mentioned above, with the short curvy backed chairs, in bright colours or delicate prints, while the 70's table set had high back rectangular chairs, often in wood accents and flower designs the 70's is known for. The 80's brought chunky, structured, futuristic type furniture, while in the 90's there was plenty of black and gold, tacky cushioned seats, and odd patterns and shapes often in pastels. The 2000's saw alot of wood. As for today, I'm not too sure if i can pin point what style out kitchen tables are in; ikea tables, which are have structure and sometimes a retro feel, are popular, as are inheriting our parents old tables, or if your like me, you've gone out and found youself a lovely 1050's chrome kitchen table.

I was longing, really, truly, longing for a retro kitchen table.You find listings for them on kijiji and craiglist list, as well as at the Antique Mall. Online, they can often be in so so condition, or, as in my case out of my price range. But as luck would have it, on a stroll through the Antique Mall, hidden under a table clothe and nick knacks, I found my kitchen table! It had a white table top, with a cracked golden pattern. It came with a leaf, for when I am entertianing! It did not come with chairs, however, and I am still on the hunt for some fabulous retro chairs to match.

 

I dont have a photo right now, but will have one for you tomorrow. In the mean time, here are some lovely little tables I found on line:

Home Sweet Home

 Welcome to Vixen Von Vintage!! I hope you will follow me as I find new and exciting vintage treats and treasures. This little blog is still in the making, so please do be patient as it comes into its own. Ive got plenty of ideas swimming around for Von Vintage, so don't go away for too long! The main concept for Vixen Von Vintage is based around Vintage home and decor. I love vintage furniture and home decoration. So I plan to share with you the lovely vintage items I find at garage sales, flea markets, antique malls, second hand stores and in my general travels. I also want to share with you fantastic vintage things I find online- like an editorial on a vintage home, or photos showcasing either authentic vintage homes or modern-retro homes. Besides home life, I also want to share vintage fashions, music and the all together lifestyle of my favorite eras- the 1950s and 60s. I think a gal ( and  her guy) could learn a thing or two from retrospectively looking at the past- both glamour and simplicity, and the discovery of new things for the first time, which we now take for granted- modern day vehicles, television, radio, even undergarments! Oh and please do comment!! Id love to hear your comments, feedback and the tales of your own vintage discoveries!