Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Family Circle Style?


A few years ago, a kind reader gave me a stash of old magazines, one of which was the December 1975 issue of Family Circle. There were a few photos in this issue that bowled me over, because they were unlike anything I had ever seen before in Family Circle. When I opened up the magazine, I was expecting women in Mom jeans (or whatever the equivalent was back in 1975) and country quaint interiors. What I saw instead was disco-era fabulous.

The photos, which you can see here, accompanied an article on black and white clothing. It wasn't really the clothing that caught my eye, although I do think the black and white jersey sweater dress looks awfully chic. Rather, it was the photos' setting that had me gaga. This interior, which was located in Chicago (that was the only information that I could find in the photo credits,) was chock full of everything that I find to be luxurious. In some photos, you can see boiserie-covered walls, while in another shot, there is a mirrored wall. The floor is covered in a rough-textured carpet, which was then layered with some kind of stylish Asian rug.  And then there is the sublime French furniture, all of which appears to be upholstered in cream and cafĂ© au lait-colored  silks, velvets, and damasks.  And what about the accessories?  Lacquered Chinese boxes, rock crystal, lacquered furniture, porcelain with gilt mounts, marble-topped cocktail tables, and animal prints.  Yes, please!  I'll take it all!

The great photographer, Victor Skrebneski, shot these images, so that might partially explain their high-style setting.  But the person who decorated this Chicago interior certainly deserves credit, too, because this interior is the epitome of mid-1970s glamour.  And to think that it appeared in Family Circle.



20 comments:

  1. wow - i could move right in -that's beautiful.

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  2. Yes, amazing! Never would have guessed - so chic!

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  3. Truly chic. I wouldn't have guessed Family Circle either. BUT I do like to prove myself wrong. Fun to realize one can look into almost ANYTHING in print and find inspiration.

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    1. Norwegian, So true! You just never know where you'll find stylish inspiration.

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  4. Skrebneski shot all of the 70's era Lauder advertising. These, to my eye, look very much like the elegant, languid rich girls of the Estee era advertising. All they need is an inset of a Private Collection or Estee bottle in the corner.

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    1. Foodie, I didn't realize this, but now that you mention it, I do see the similarities.

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  5. Astounding Jennifer! This could easily be from a current Vogue issue!
    xoxo
    Karena
    2014 Artists Series

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  6. Anonymous11:48 AM

    This looks like an interior by Bruce Gregga.

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    1. Thank you Anonymous. I didn't realize until yesterday that Gregga assisted Skrebneski, so this would make perfect sense. Thanks for solving the mystery.

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  7. wow, it is amazing + I could move right in + Family Circle? xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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    1. Peggy, I could easily move into these interiors.

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  8. Anonymous2:09 PM

    Great find…where are the Skrebneski's of today. I would so love to see more lovely ladies in elegant settings rather than disgruntled girls looking so very avant garde in peculiar settings. Horst, Penn, and Skrebneski were so inspiring….thank you.

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    1. Anonymous- I absolutely agree with you. This is why I let my subscription to W lapse. I miss the old high-fashion yet still elegant photos.

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  9. I was out of college and in my first big job, and I remember clipping those first two pix for the atmosphere of the rooms! Thanks for a delightful blast from the past

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  10. Fabulous! the fashion AND the apartment!

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  11. That totally blows me away. Who were the editor and art director for that issue? It would be interesting to see who on staff went on to other things, perhaps something that gave their look more exposure later. sk

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  12. Anonymous8:05 AM

    Skrebneski and Gregga certainly had a eye for Fine French Furniture as Billy B would have called it. Wonder if they were among Barrie @ Blue's Lost Generation?
    Best, Herts

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