I could have made this a quiz, but it would be nearly impossible to guess unless you happened to remember this layout from House & Garden, August 1984. This is the Boston apartment of Apple Bartlett (as you can see, Gwyneth is not so avant guard.) Bartlett, while not avant guard, is old guard. The daughter of Sister Parish, you can see her mother’s influence in her own home.
Always intrigued to see if rooms (and fiction) hold up, there are elements of these that definitely do. The striped dhurri could have come straight from Wisteria or Williams Sonoma Home. I do like the way the direction of the stripe changes at the edge; this is an easy alteration for any carpet professional. The curtains in the living room hold up nicely. I usually think these are the first elements to give away a vintage image, that and the flower arrangements. The fabric on the sofa pillows resembles the graphic Alan Campbell that we have been referencing this week. A subtle chintz, the bamboo Chippendale chair and the secretary would also be snatched up by the current generation.
A vintage quilt – a definite keeper.
Again, the dhurri and the four poster beds are charming. The canopy could use some altering, but these are Mrs. Bartlett’s childhood beds and I adore the sentiment of that.
The braided rug is from the house in Maine. Mrs. Bartlett made the sitting room curtains and decoupaged the living room table and the lampshade as well. Besides her now-in-the-news name, Apple Bartlett was working as a collage artist at the time her home was featured. Maybe old guard is avant guard after all. 
Now Patricia, this would have been one quiz that I would have passed! I’ll always remember that rich yellow bedroom- very unique! Braided rag rugs were a favorite of Sis, so I love that Apple had one too!
I agree — somethings are so old guard that they appear hip. I can’t help but make comparisons to Domino here with the graphic stripes, the sorbet colors, a little chintz.
I’m going to go back and pour over these. Oh and I so agree about curtains (and valances!) being the giveaway usually 🙂
This doesn’t look dated at all -it’s charming! I especially love the basket of geraniums in the last image.
I agree, love the geraneums in the wire and woven baskets,the painted green table near the fireplace in the 1st image, her and sunny yellow walls!
My friend Carson would take that living room as is right now.
Jennifer – I should have known you would recognize this room. I’ll be sure to serve you another one right over the plate someday soon.
Courtney – the living room, in particular, is so current. There’s a great tassel on the curtains that you can’t see that well unless you click on it. They may be wood. Terrif. Also, the collage piece over the fireplace is Bartlett’s work and is quite intriguing.
The geraniums are charming. I just finished reading Billy Baldwin Decorates and he mentions several times the charm of flowers in baskets even in formal settings.
Love love love this post! There are just some classics that never go out of “style”. While we need new fresh ideas and trends to keep things interesting and fun, there are those design items and concepts that just always look great and feel good. Perfect examples are the rugs – both the braided and the dhurrie….great chintzes and good quality antiques. Thanks for starting my day with a smile!
As the song says…”Everything old is new again”.
Oh, how I remember those rooms! I adored them the moment I saw them and still think they hold up well. Charm, comfort, history, personality and DIY. What more could anyone want in their home?
The rugs! I’m in love – esp with the watermelon /cream one!!!! stay away from trendy and you’ll always be “in.” Now – of course some will say that the striped rug is trendy and I suppose it is right now = but it’s will always be a classic. Same with the chippendale inspired chair. Like toile – after a huge resurgence in the 90s it’s quieted back down to a classic, as opposed to 90s trend. I love these pictures – it’s SOOOO perfect for today!!!
Joni
adore the dhurris! They make everything so fresh and modern.
People always think we named our “other” dog Apple because of Gwyneth, or the computer, or the Beatle’s record company. Little do they know, it was for this Apple! Thanks for highlighting her!
pt&e – of all the comments today, this is surely the most impressive. You named your dog after Sister Parish's daughter. That is a the pinnacle of perfection for the design obsessed. It's like college kids naming their dogs Dylan and Nirvana. I'm stunned. Bravo.
Yes, well it doesn’t stop there. I had always known of Mrs. Parrish’s famous neighborhood dog shows on her island in Maine and started one in our neighborhood in her honor in 1999. It continues every October and has become quite the popular event. And I am proud to say that Edward won the “Top Dog” trophy two years ago!
pt&e – I'm completely enchanted.
pt&e – Nepotism? If so, subtly executed. EVERY year would be suspect. The images are so familiar; thanks for reminding me, mrs. b.
Did you know there is a Barlett pear? Too fruity for me! LOL
I believe Sister had pekingese dogs. Anyone with a peke is a friend of mine -love them!
I love all of the rooms. I’m especially impressed that she did the decoupage and collage herself, rather than buying those pieces.
The dhurris are wonderful. I bought one by Aspen before realizing that it was part of the movie. I’m trying to decide if I could use carpet tape on the undersides of dhurris to make a larger carpet.
1984! Now you’re talking!!! I saw and loved those striped rugs long before the movie SGG. Great post!
I love this post – as always, it´s very informative. I also love the earlier one on quilts 🙂
FYI (just for fun): Her birth name was May Appleton Parish.