I don’t know about some of you but I am struggling to stay focused and motivated these days, especially as my city of Toronto has entered another lockdown. I want to blog so much because I love sharing fun content with all my readers, but I am just finding it hard. BUT today…I struck jackpot while mindlessly, sort of looking for blog ideas on the web….A 1940 Montgomery Ward Interior Design Catalog for Wallpaper.

1940 Interior Design Wallpaper ideas vintage catalog

Source: Archive.org

I LOVE looking at how people decorated their homes in the past. Sometimes it seems super busy and sometimes it just works. Everyone’s style is different and some of these wallpapers featured in this very detailed catalog might just be something that you might want to have designed for your own home (or go on the hunt for).

Even if it’s not something you want, trust me when I say it’s fun to see what was stylish and popular in 1940 (especially since we were in the middle of a war).

Let’s open it up and see what we find……

Vintage Wallpaper Ideas from a 1940 Montgomery Ward Catalog

First up! What is the “1760 Women create Wards” all about?

Well according to the page above Montgomery Ward conducted a Wallpaper survey to understand what housewives tastes were. Members of MW staff went into their homes with a 300-pattern sample book. From it, women selected papers in favorite colours and designs and said why they liked them. They told the staff that there was “Wallpaper WANTS” and this is what they all agreed on:

All women want:

Savings
Quality that gives dependable service
Papers harmonizing in colour and design with each other and with furnishings.

Montgomery Ward then took these ideas to the best designers and colorists in America. The result is Wards 1940 Wallpapers created by women just like you (well 1940s you). And on each of the pages you will see how the “Wants” have been used.

Here are 3 Qualities to choose from when picking your wallpaper in 1940:

31% wanted Fadeproof paper
44% wanted Fadeproof, Washable paper
25% wanted Fadeproof, Washable paper that is Embossed or Calendered.

Side Note: I’m going to be honest..while I love this winter wonderland wallpaper I’m not 100% sure if its practical for a room all year around. Share what you think in the comments section below!

1940s Wallpaper. What qualities to chose when picking your wallpaer.

More Tips! How to use Color and Design when designing your room:

Keep color schemes simple-a room in good taste has two predominting colours with accents of one or two others.

Wards show 5 basic colours: Blue, Green, Beige, Cocoa and Rose. You can mix or match them in everthing from draperies to paint. You then chose a Companion paper (which will be the examples I show below), harmonizing in colour and design.

The 2 pages below are three harmonized room schemes featuring companion paper.

How to use colour and design in your rooms when decorating. As seen in a 1940s wallpaper catalog

To Keep Adjoining Rooms Harmonious…Choose a Companion Paper (as discussed above).

1940s Vintage Wallpaper pattern-floral pattern

Oh I love a good tropical print (“A Smart New Design” to be exact). Here is the 1940s version of the palm leaves wallpaper you see on some many Instagram accounts these days.

1940s Wallpaper-Tropical Palm Leaves Wallpaper

1940s Wallpaper pattern- Tropical Palm Leaves Wallpaper

Quaint Design, Sparkling Color-A Delight to Every Eye! Pretty floral wall paper design for your bedroom.

1940s Vintage Wallpaper pattern-Floral Design

Do you have kids or maybe grandkids? How about this Mother Goose themed wallpaper? Featuring Peter Rabbit, Jack and Jill with a puppy, mary and her lambs. It’s sure to bring some fun to a child’s bedroom or playroom.

1940s Vintage Wallpaper for kids. Mother Goose themed wallpaper

1940s Vintage Wallpaper pattern for kids. Mother Goose themed wallpaper

A Paper Reminiscent of Yesterday-For Your Modern Kitchen. The yesterday being plate-rails with quaint flowered plates and pots of trailing ivy. Banjo clock, clipper ships and old leather-bound books.

1940s vintage wallpaper for your modern kitchen.

1940s vintage wallpaper for your modern kitchen. Wallpaper pattern features an old grandfather clock and grapes.

Warm Colors and Picturesque Scenes: Make Halls Say “Welcome”.

1940s Vintage Wallpaper pattern-farmhouse and field

Smart, Practical and Economical-A New Varnished Paper. The colours in this wallpaper are of the popular kitchen combination of red, gray and black. This pattern reminds me SO MUCH of a blog post I did on 1940s Linoleum flooring.

1940s Wallpaper-Varnished Wallpaper. Smart, Practical and Economical-A New Varnished Paper. The colours in this wallpaper are of the popular kitchen combination of red, gray and black.

1940s Wallpaper pattern-Varnished Wallpaper. Smart, Practical and Economical-A New Varnished Paper. The colours in this wallpaper are of the popular kitchen combination of red, gray and black.

Anyone interested in some Scrubbable Wallpaper? You can scrub it like tile! This is very handy especially in those places like around the stove that get stained alot. I like it.

Scrubbable Wallpaper. 1940s vintage wallpaper catalog

How to pay for all this wallpaper? Simple! Use the Time Payment Plan. $2 down and the $2 monthly payment. Enjoy while you pay!

How much did wallpaper cost in 1940? See the price in a vintage 1940 interior design catalog for wallpaper designs

Please make sure you check out the rest of the Catalog yourself because there is 161 pages and I cannot possibly share everyone of the wallpapers featured (even though I really really wanted to!).

Share your favourites in the comment section below.

FURTHER READING: Check out my archive of ‘Vintage Home Decor’ Posts HERE.

Stay Safe Friends!

Liz

If you are looking to add a touch of the 1950’s to your home decor, the best way to do this is by scouring vintage photos. Why? Well clearly its the best example of how people ACTUALLY dressed up their homes (as opposed to what you see in the magazines). So for today’s post I have searched the internet for these images so that those who are interested, can begin decking out their homes in true 1950’s style.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Note: If the item you clicked on is no longer available, just do a search for like items. There are loads of vintage items being added to Etsy and eBay daily!

Decor ideas from the homes of the 1950’s

The Vintage Photos…

Lets begin with Gladys of Sioux City in her front room-June, 1956.

First up Gladys is cute as button. Her mirror on the fireplace is fantastic and the flower stand by the window is outstanding and very mid century.

1950s vintage photo: 1956 photo of an older woman in her living room. fantastic Mid Century Interior Design Inspiration. — Source: Flickr

Family Dinner. Lots to look at in this photo. From the dishware to the fridge to the cute border on the kitchen curtain, it’s all so very 1950s.

1950s vintage photo of a family eating dinner in their kitchen at the table. Super 1950s kitchen decor / interior design inspiration. — Source: Etsy

1953 Dance Party. The colour in the curtains match part of the flowers in the wallpaper (good job!). Also can we take a moment to admire the dresses in this post. According to Flickr , Patrick Q the lady in the green dress was his grandmother and she held onto that dress until the day she died around 40 years later.

1953 Dance Party vintage image-The vintage 1950s photo is showcasing 1950s evening dresses and mens wear. — Source: Flickr

The fiberglass lamp shade is amazing!

February 1, 1958 a young woman on the phone her 1950s gown before heading to the dance.

Before the dance, 1958 girl in a fancy 1950s gown in her livingroom vintage image — Source-Flickr

Cute Baby alert in a 1958 living room. The chairs and table are so mid-century cool and coveted pieces in today’s modern world.

1958 Baby in livingroom vintage photo — Source: Flickr

You can never have enough lamps….apparently. Not sure if I would adopt this look in my home though.

1950s photo of a livingroom with lots of lamps and big furniture. — Source: Etsy

A flower couch and shiny flower wallpaper is the backdrop for this young 1950s couple posing on their couch.

1950s photo of a young couple on a couch in 1950s fashions. — Source: Etsy

1950s/ Mid Century Modern Vintage Photo of Mom and Daughters Standing in Kitchen, View From Living Room. SO much home decor inspiration in this photo!

Source: Etsy

A nice streamlined 1950’s interior design look (I’m really digging the couch and the pillow).

1950s photo of a woman on a couch wrapping a christmas present — Source: Etsy

Mid Century Kitchen, with the coolest floor (see my vintage post on Linoleum Flooring HERE).

vintage photo of a mid century 1950s kitchen — Source: Etsy

The brown bathroom with a pink tub and double sink.

1950s photo of a bathroom vintage image — Source: Etsy

Birds and sunflowers shower curtain.

1950s woman in the bathroom brushing teeth vintage image — Source: Etsy

Mental Note: Take photos of your child’s first communion in front of your first TV so you can remember them both fondly. Mix and match curtains and wallpaper again.

1950s vintage image of young girl and television -First Communion. — Source: Etsy

Young boy in his bedroom -1955.

1955 Kodacolor Print Vintage Snapshot Photo Boy in His Bedroom — Source: Etsy

1955 Bedroom Interior.

Bedroom Interior, 1955: Vintage Snapshot Photo — Source: Etsy

Well friends, I hope you enjoyed taking a look at true 1950’s decor and if your redesigning your home in an authentic 50’s style, I hope it helped!

Question time: Do you like 1950’s decor? Or are you a fan of other era’s? Share in the comments below.

FURTHER READING: Check out my archive of ‘Vintage Home Decor‘ Posts HERE.

Liz

Tag: Home Decor

Vintage Wallpaper Ideas from a 1940 Montgomery Ward Catalog

Decor ideas from the homes of the 1950’s

The Vintage Photos…