One reason why I fancy 1970s-era issues of Architectural Digest is because each issue usually featured at least one decorated-for-night apartment. Often bijou in size and typically located in Manhattan, these jewel-box spaces epitomized Seventies nocturnal swank. Rooms in these apartments tended to be drenched in dark, daring color and accessorized with reflective surfaces- namely, brass. And "nice" furnishings, like antique chairs and floral-print fabrics, often mingled with accents that, in some apartments, could be a little "naughty." Mirrored ceilings, anyone?
But it's the nighttime atmosphere of these apartments that captivates me most. These were not the kind of rooms in which to stay home and watch, oh, say "Starsky & Hutch." These were rooms meant for sophisticated entertaining, either as the evening's main event or as a precursor to late-night disco dancing. Although he was singing about nocturnal cavorting, George Benson's lyrics to "Give Me The Night" might also describe the appeal of the seventies-era nighttime apartment:
You need the evening action
A place to dine, a glass of wine
A little late romance
And with that song now stuck in your head, I give you an early-1970s Manhattan apartment, decorated by Joseph Braswell. Some of the décor might be a tad dated-looking, but the slick, stylish touches more than make up for that.
All photos from Architectural Digest, May/June 1973, Norman McGrath, photographer.
A jewel box of a space exactly, and so chic and alluring, love the night shoots!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Painting Central Park
A jewel box indeed!
DeleteStarsky & Hutch?!?!?! Hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI can see Bryan Ferry now... declining the party uptown to stay in for a little telly and ben & jerrys!
I'm crazy for Bryan Ferry....and his music.
DeleteBryan is glorious and has had some nice homes, which have been featured in magazines. His latest one is a bight on the bright side though. It's a bit of a shame that most contemporary decorators are obsessed with light and pay so little attention to the value of shadow and darkness. Anouska Hempel is about the only I can think of who still designs rooms that ooze with night-time glamour without looking like camp imitations of 70s design.
DeleteYou are so right about Anouska Hempel and her moody, nighttime rooms.
DeleteOh, I so wanted one of these! When I was grown up.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly how I wanted to live when I grew up. I must say that although my apartment looks nothing like the one seen here, there are elements that both have in common. And, my apartment looks best at night.
DeleteThe night photos really bring back the mood of the seventies. There was excitement, sex and jet setting vibes in air at all times....I do miss those heady years. One never knew what would happen, who you would meet, where you would end up...Ibiza, Positano, or New York.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know that my fantasy was a reality for some people. As a child, the mood of the seventies made a huge impression on me.
DeleteI just got back from a talk with Douglas Mackie and he also mentioned that most people only get yo their flats in the evening so the way a home looks at night is so important.
ReplyDeleteGreat point and so true. What's the point of decorating your home for the daytime if you're only there at night?
DeleteAs a designer, one of the hardest things is to get clients to really realize what time of day they, and any guests actually use a particular room. Does one have luncheons and teas or dinner parties/ cocktail buffets. This will help one decide what color to use in a dining room. If it's an all-day room, then the doors must work with both artificial and natural light. A bottle green dining room can look fabulous with dark woods, gleaming silver, a gilt mirror, white linen damask on the table.
ReplyDeleteThat bottle green dining room sounds sublime!
DeleteFor over 25 years my downstairs was all white and then I went to the dark side of the force. I annexed half of my living room to turn the entire back of the house into a one room "retirement apartment". It is now my kitchen + baking center, library and dining room. I had the first floor covered in bead board which I am painting black. In the new room there are large windows (as is the remaining living room). In addition to the black paneling, I had other walls in the kitchen paneled in sheet mirror. I love the look. It is moody yet calming. Slightly Edwardian and yet a bit edgier (maybe it's the leopard carpeting!). Is is lost in the 70s/80s and can't find it's way home. Who cares? Art dances off black walls and light sparkles on the semi-gloss finish. At almost 66 I can be as eccentric as I like (although I always thought the difference between being eccentric and nuts had to do with how much money you add... in that case, I am nuts).
ReplyDeleteI've just discovered the world of old Architectural Digests myself and I must say I share your enthusiasm, the rooms have a certain something which one never finds these days.
ReplyDeleteOne day I will have a room with brown velvet walls....
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