This August (2020), Bennett’s Furniture and Mattresses will celebrate its 94th Anniversary. The Bennett family has
been selling quality furniture to their friends and neighbours since 1926. Think about that for a minute. A
Canadian family-owned business that is still going strong almost a century later. Pretty neat!
So much has changed since 1926, I can’t even begin to list it. Advances to technology and medicine in this
length of time are almost mind-boggling. But it’s true what they say, what goes around comes around. Just like
in fashion, interior design sees trends repeating, and some things just never go out of style.
Now, let’s get to the home decorating! Here is a list of trends that were hot in 1926 and still are today. Some
may have cycled back around, and some never left!
- Scallop Prints
- Geometric Textiles
- Mirrors and Mirrored Finishes
- Metallic Wallpaper
- Decorative Ironwork (railings, beds)
- Sunburst Decor
- Free-standing Bathtubs
- Mosaic Tile
- Bold Paint Colours (especially jewel tones)
- Bauhaus style Furniture (The Wassily chair and the Barcelona chair are STILL manufactured today!)
- Shiny Metallic Fabrics
- Exotic Folding Screens
- Cocktail Cabinets
- Ornamental Lighting
- Angular Furniture
- Modernist Art
- Brass and Glass Furniture
- Stained Glass Decor
- Geometric Headboards
- Interesting Finishes, such as tortoiseshell, shagreen, mother of pearl.
In 1926, when the first Bennett’s store opened in Campbellford, ON, there were three main styles dictating Interior Decorating.
Art Deco was the first. A dramatic style that embodies the opulence of
the “roaring 20’s”. The Cubist artists of the day, like Picasso and
Duchamp, inspired squared off, angular styles. Lacquered finishes like
mirrored, chrome, and silver-leaf accents were popular. (These
finishes were new innovations at the time.) There were also plastics in
tortoiseshell and mother of pearl (the iridescent layer of an oyster) as
accents. Upholstery fabrics were mostly symmetrical and geometric-
heavy on squares, rectangles and diamonds.
Arts and Crafts was another very popular decorating style
for this time (known in the United States as Mission). It
focused on clean lines and simple curves. The design was to
bring the outdoors in, so furniture had an earthy feel.
Furniture was meant to be functional and durable. Oak was
the wood of choice, with leather or woven rush seats. Iron
and copper were go-to’s for hardware on the furniture. The
Arts and Crafts style used built in cabinetry like bookcases,
sideboards and window seats. These goodies added storage
without clutter and allowed a minimum amount of furniture
to be used. Some of the big names in furniture design for
this period were Frank Lloyd Wright and Gustav Stickley.
Early Modernism was the third design style
popular in 1926. This style can be distinguished
by curving lines, a use of symbols, a
sophisticated aesthetic, attention to details and
an overall decorative elegance. Furniture would
attempt to create a bond between beauty and
utility. Home furnishings would attempt to
reflect the images seen in art, and even become
art themselves.
Maybe one day, in another 94 years, another interior decorator will write an article (or upload her thoughts into the virtual consciousness??) about the trends of 2020!
Come on out to the Bennett’s Home Furnishings closest to you- Campbellford, Peterborough, or Kingston, and buy some quality furniture for your home. Celebrate with us!
Until next time,
Janet
Interior Decorator and Bennett’s Floor Merchandiser