Get the look: Retro

‘Retro’ can cover any number of different looks - really, it just refers to an aesthetic that has been popular in the past - but the word usually conjures up vivid images of one particular era; the 1970s.

Sometimes referred to as ‘the decade that taste forgot’, the 1970s exploded with a clash of colors and patterns, mixing geometrics, blousy flowers, shaggy textures and psychedelia. In stark contrast to the sleek visual vocabulary of mid-century modern design, the expressive, unlimited aesthetic of the seventies gave great scope for creativity and individuality, and something of that rebellious spirit has endured in interior design to this day.

Avocado green, xanthic yellow, chartreuse, burnt orange and chocolate brown are all colors that are synonymous with retro style, each with their own part to play in modern interior schemes. Balance is important, so as not to overwhelm, but these are shades that you can really have some fun with.

With the appetite for pattern at an all-time high, wallpaper became hugely popular in the seventies. Recreating that bold, fearless look can require a little bravery, but with some of our fantastic heritage brands offering wallcoverings and fabrics that embrace 1970s style with a timeless twist, it’s never been easier to choose an out-there design.

Fabric offers an opportunity to inject some seventies style into your home, perfect for pillows and upholstery. When it comes to your walls, there’s no end of possibilities – a geometric pattern like Harlequin's Trellis, a hexagonal motif like Spark Wallpaper by Zoffany, or the dreamy color scheme of MINDTHEGAP’s leafy Jardin Del Sol, for instance.

Curating and balancing a seventies interior can be tricky, but it’s such a fun and freeing scheme to work with. Incorporate shag pile rugs for texture, choose vintage furniture and accessorize with risqué prints to really maximize the impact of your look, or stick to a few key 1970s elements while keeping the rest neutral – it really is up to you.