The Dawn of a New Era

The 1950s were nothing if not booming. Following the end of World War II, the United States experienced a rapid period of growth and expansion, often referred to as the “Golden Age of Capitalism.” During this time, the “Land of the Free” faced a post-war boom that extended to all facets of life—including (you guessed it) the population. The economy was up, unemployment was down, and the middle class was burgeoning. Millions of returning soldiers were able to obtain low-cost loans thanks to the G.I. Bill, which led to the mass expansion of suburban neighborhoods and highway systems.

The Birth of Mid-Century Modern

The housing market wasn’t the only thing that was booming, though. Designers and architects from around the world were putting their skills to the test, contributing to the mass production of new furniture made from plywood and fiberglass. Many of these styles were inspired by Scandinavian and Nordic design—leading to the birth of what we now refer to as mid-century modern design. The name of the game was clean lines, organic shapes, and streamlined forms. Some of the most notable names to emerge from this era were Lucienne and Robin Day, Charles and Ray Eames, and Arne Jacobsen.

As the decade pressed on, the clean and functional lines of the era began to blend with more futuristic motifs, such as boomerangs and starbursts. The world was obsessed with science and technology, and this fascination only broadened with the birth of Sputnik, a landmark event that captured international attention. On October 7th, 1957, the USSR launched the world’s first artificial satellite into orbit. And with that, the space race began. Man had its sights set on the moon, and design was going with it.

The Colors of the Decade

Houses weren’t just getting more stylish. They were also getting more colorful. If you’ve ever encountered a powder pink bathroom complete with a monochromatic tub, toilet, and tiles, you have the late Mamie Eisenhower to thank for that. This pretty pastel, otherwise known as First Lady Pink, dominated the interior landscape during the 1950s, taking over kitchens, bedrooms, and, yes, even bathrooms.

 

Color was a defining characteristic of the 50s, serving as a reflection of the nation’s pride and optimism. Other defining shades of the era were turquoise, cream, mint green, and pale yellow.

The Start of a Legacy

Draperies and valances remained the dominating fixture of the time, but somewhere in Northern Indiana, a young, intuitive salesman was observing the changing tides. In this post-war era of modernistic influence, people were looking for new and inventive ways to furnish their homes—which meant they’d soon be looking at their windows. That’s why, in 1950, this ambitious young man set off to start his own window fashions company. This company would later be known as Lafayette Interior Fashions.

With nothing more than a garage, a dream, and his wits, Joe Morgan Sr. and his wife, Lucille, started manufacturing a small collection of Venetian blinds that catered to this new, evolving sense of style.

Final Thoughts

What are some of your favorite features from the 1950s? We’d love to hear from you. Join us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to continue the discussion.

Lafayette Interior Fashions is a family-owned, to-the-trade manufacturer of blinds, shades, draperies, and other custom-crafted interior fashion products. To learn more about our products, Find a local dealer near you.