Original Vintage Color Schemes
from How to Beautify Your Home by Good Housekeeping, 1932
The following color schemes appear in a small book published in 1932 by Helen Koues, Director of Good Housekeeping Studio of Furnishings & Decorations.
Color then as now
Ms. Koue writes: "There are a v few very simple principles to lay down: If the walls are in a plain color, the room will be colorless unless there is pattern elsewhere in the room—'colorless' in the sense that it looks void of color values. therefore, chintz with gay color in it may be used for hangings, for a chair or two, while a large piece of furniture and a larger area of space, such as a rug, may be darker and plain. No color scheme can be really successful that does not use three or more colors."
The following schemes were suggested for homemakers during the 1930s, and it's interesting that some of them are as fresh today as they were then, though not necessarily applied the exact way.
Living Rooms
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Walls: Ivory Rug: Brown or oriental in reds or browns Furniture: Oak or walnut Upholstery: Golden brown Curtains: Gold (yellow gold or green gold Accessories: Jade green, brass |
Walls: Yellow-green (apple-green) Rug: Light brown or oriental Furniture: Walnut or mahogany Upholstery: Dull soft green Curtains: Apricot or figured linen (with yellow, rose, mauve, green) Accessories: Deep apricot, light yellow |
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Halls
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Walls: Ivory Rug: Black and white linoleum Furniture: Painted black Upholstery: Red violet Curtains: Clear apple green Accessories: Bright green and red violet |
Walls: Figured wallpaper with cream, green, and rose Rug: Taupe (rose tone) Furniture: Walnut Upholstery: Rose (reddish) Curtains: Rose and yellow-cream stripe Accessories: Yellow, green, rose |
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Dining Rooms
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Walls: Pale grey green Rug: Oriental Furniture: Dark oak, walnut Upholstery: Deep red Curtains: Dull red Accessories: Silver and some red |
Walls: Light blue with green in it Rug: Chinese, mostly tan Furniture: Mahogany Upholstery: Blue-green Curtains: Green-blue with some gold in it Accessories: Colors in Chinese rug |
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Sun Rooms
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Walls: Brick wall or tinted plaster Rug: Tile or linoleum, grey or black Furniture: Grayed green and black Upholstery: Same as curtains Curtains: Grey-green and light brick chintz Accessories: Green (plants), black |
Walls: Antiqued plaster Rug: Terra cotta Furniture: Brown Upholstery: Brown and bright green cushions Curtains: Green and terracotta printed linen Accessories: Terracotta, green |
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Bedrooms
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Walls: Cream Rug: Rose Furniture: Walnut Upholstery: Grey blue Curtains: Rose, cream, and blue chintz Accessories: Cream, blue, violet |
Walls: Wallpaper ivory ground, chintz design Rug: Walnut brown Furniture: Painted blue-green Upholstery: Lighter blue green Curtains: Maize Accessories: Yellow, clear blue-green |
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Kitchens
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Walls: Pale blue with cream woodwork Rug: Blue and white check Furniture: Cream Curtains: Peach Accessories: Blue |
Walls: Pale yellow Rug: Yellow and brown linoleum Furniture: Cream Curtains: Blue and cream check Accessories: Sunflower yellow |
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Once you pick your color scheme, then you need to paint. If your old house needs expert prep work for your paint project, a professional might be able to help. Find a qualified painter at .