Flickr Features: Nostalgic Interiors!

Yesterday we brought you some fun furniture from the "future" out of 1stdibs' newest weekly listings, and today, on the last day of 2009, we'd like to go back through history and share a neat Flickr stream we found full of fun interiors of the past. After all, how can we move forward with the future of design without studying where we came from? Check out more of these great photos from the book "Good Decorating and Home Improvement" posted by Flickr user army.arch.

This Week's Top 5 Favorite 1stdibs Items: Welcome to the Future!

With the New Year right around the corner, we can't help but meditate on the fact that it will be the year 2010. Just saying "2010" sounds so futuristic! Though we know this isn't the first time we've covered futuristic decor (once we did a 1stdibs' round-up after the new Star Trek movie and once we did a Flickr Features of some neat futuristic interiors), we just can't help gathering some more future-leaning furniture pieces from 1stdibs' newest listings this week. Pair them with more down-to-earth furnishings or fill a whole room with them, either way you'll have one far-out interior space!
1) Greg Lynn "Ravioli Chair," for Vitra
Lounge chair or giant egg crate, you tell us! This Ravioli Chair, designed by Greg Lynn in 2005 for Vitra, is a great example of the future of furnishings being a little scary. We're not even sure how you sit in this thing! But we can tell you that having a piece like this in a room would be a definite sign you're serious about futuristic decor.
Price: $2,945
Dealer: Modern Artifacts

2) Graceful Carved Walnut Fish Sculpture
If you weren't sure quite what you were looking at with this piece at first, don't worry---it took us a minute, too! This sculpture by Emilan is so futuristic, it takes a minute to make our that it's a fish. But featuring smooth lines and a walnut material, this would look great in a futuristic room.
Price: $1,800
Dealer: Dual

3) Pair of Large Gabriella Crespi Modernist Vases
Is it just us or do these modernist vases look like abstract rocket ships? Okay, maybe we're trying a little too hard, but no one can deny the importance of rocket ships in our future! Why not have a few in your futuristic design?
Price: $4,800
Dealer: 20cDesign.com

4) Lucite and Polished Aluminum French Desk
In the future, you'll most likely work from home and telecommute, so you'll need a sleek, attractive and efficient desk to work from. Whether this is comfortable we can't say, but we do know it sure looks cool.
Price: contact dealer
Dealer: Todd Merrill

5) "Giunone" Floor Light by Vico Magistretti
We'll always need good task lighting, even in the future, so arm yourself and your eyes with this good-looking floor lamp. Though it's from the 1960s, there's no doubting that they had the future in mind when designing these sleek curves.
Price: contact dealer
Dealer: Coolhouse

Don't forget to check out the rest of this week's listings from 1stdibs, where you can find more fabulous, one-of-a-kind show-stopping pieces, as well as a number of other great pieces!

European Style in the South: McAlpine et al

Chapel, east of Montgomery, Alabama via Garden and Gun

As I head back to Alabama for work this week, I reflect on "Alabaman" or Southern Style. What the heck does it mean? And what are the great modern-day examples? Southern is not limited to Greek or Classical Revival but rather-I think- encompasses a wide range of European influences. There's one architecture firm in Alabama that truly evokes Southern grace- though it's not what first springs to my mind when I think Southern. McAlpine Tankersly (and McAlpine Booth & Ferrier Interiors). Honestly, my heart nearly stops- or maybe that's because it's beating so fast- when I look at their work.

As many of you already "in the know" errr know, McAlpine Tankersley is an architecture firm based in Montgomery, Alabama. There is also McAlpine Booth & Ferrier Interiors, with offices in Atlanta and Nashville. While the firms are separate entities, apparently they do collaborate a good bit. Their work has been featured in just about every major design publication. Selecting a few favorite homes was nearly impossible, but I'm going to try.

First, a Birmingham, Alabama home. I believe this is all the same house. I found this on the Interiors website but couldn't help but notice all the architectural details here. Almost over the top... and I love it!

Every single ceiling seemed to have some sort of architectural detail- crown molding (dentil work?), beams, archways). And while a lot of the materials appear to be stone, the dark wood floors and lush upholstery doesn't leave you feeling cold.

Another amazing space in Montgomery, AL. I'm wondering if this is a private home or public space. Anyone know?

Again, lots of neutral tones, sumptuous fabrics, and dark wood. And fabulous light fixtures.

And heading over to Rosemary Beach, FL. This seems somehow more "achieveable" to an everyday person.

A little more color than the two previous versions with chocolate brown and hints of green, but still a lot of neutrals. But never bland! I could just move right in here.

And I'll end with one of my faves- though it's already been featured in three magazines. Unfortunately, much of the photos seem to be of the same few rooms and being the nosy girl I am, I want to see more!!

from British House and Garden Jan 2003

Home Style Feb 2002

All very European to me, but perhaps great examples of elegant, romantic, and in some of the spaces very welcoming- Southern space.

have a warm day!

-Emmie