You have been warned
Wed, 19 Mar 2008
Warning the following post is devoid of taste and should be taken in the light hearted manner in which it is offered.
We've had some wonderful posts this week. Kim's white houses were just amazing. I thought I would counter all the good taste with these shock offerings from Decorating with Crochet, Anne Halliday, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1975. Yes it's true I spent my valuable time scanning and editing these dreadful projects from this retro treasury of bad DIY. If you continue now and take some time to soak the details you have been warned!! (If anyone wants the instructions to make one of these, perhaps the crocheted director's chair or the grandfather clock wall hanging let me know. Actually some of these aren't that bad. Maybe I'll get my crochet hook out .... just kidding.)
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Reader Comments (19)
I almost split a gut when I got to the crocheted grandfather clock. How perfectly hideous!
I decided to do "ugly" today. Ugly is inspiring!
Don't hate me, but I actually like some of these things. (Not the grandfather clock you'll be relieved to know.)
But the bullseye pillow is great graphically, the star pillow would be great without the tassels and the colorful spread on the bed includes all the colors I love.(however the flowery wallpaper and that sham HAVE to go!) I even like that little Monster pillow. Looks like Elmo holding his breath! lol
I hate to admit, but I was a teenager, and it WAS 1975, but I used to own this book. I have absolutely no idea whatever happened to it, but I did once have it in my possession. The projects were very trendy for the time, and as I recall, the book did have some useful techniques for the crocheter.
And yeah, the Granfather clock IS hideous. But in a '70's way... Thanks for the memories.
ack! my eyes! *runs away...*
Jo, seeing historical posts like this are absolutely fascinating. It puts decorating in perspective. I, of course, like the simpler decor of today, but I'm embarassed to admit...I used to crochet and I'm thinking of taking a stab at a rug. The rug in that top picture is not that bad. I could see it as an unexpected piece in a Scandanavian decor.
That's a very thoughtful thimble arrangement in the crocheted butterfly/hideous green lampshade photo.
I had no idea you new my Great Aunt Liz and had been to her house!
I adore the little owl/monster!
My first response was Oh MY. But then ...A lot of these things would be great if not combined with the other things in the room. But they also have a lot of personality and energy, something I think future generations are going to make fun of us for lacking in our white beige minimalism.
Actually, I like the crochet rug and the bullseye cushion, just maybe in a differnt context!
Good post and GREAT blog!
The director's chairs are very Missoni and I wouldn't mind having one! In nicer colors, of course.
Wow. That is just TOO MUCH fun. Love it!
Hideous interiors rendered additionally hideous by crochet. It's like some Perfect Storm of bad taste.
The grandfather clock crochet is awful enough by itself, but the inclusion of the tacky houseplants and the "adorable" china kittens make me want to push the owner down those stairs.
oooooh. I love the crocheted granny square bedspread, the star pillow including the tassles, and yes - the grandfather clock. Taking design too seriously is like taking yourself too seriously - a royal bore. Thanks for this great post, which shows how different generations express their LOVE of home, friends and family, and feathering their nest.
OK, I also like the rug in the first photo, but the grandfather clock just made me gag!
Great post!!!
I guess there's always a place for a little granny chic! Lana
Don't apologize. A little ugly goes a long way towards improving an all too perfect interior. I like ugly.
Does anyone else notice how much this looks like Jonathan Adler?