Kitschy Design

One sort of interior design aesthetic you don't hear a lot about online or on television is "Kitschy" design. Interior designers and decorators alike usually will not address this design look because it goes beyond retro and into an area that may or may not reflect (good taste).

Kitschy is defined by Merriam Webster in simple terms as anything that is low brow or tacky, cheesy or of low quality. 

That being said, it does have its own following and fan base of those that remember seeing examples of Kitschy fashion, decor etc. In fact you may have seen examples through out your childhood in your grandmothers home. The way I would describe this design aesthetic as it relates to home decor is to say it's retro meets shabby chic at the flea market in 1945. Hows that for painting a picture?

Kitschy has an appeal all its own, those that gravitate towards it find the retro flare, the colors, all to be nostalgic and somehow familiar and heartwarming. When we channel our inner Betty Page, we find Kitschy decor and art not far away.. it was a time of scandalous colors, and behaviors, but a time most of us look at today and go, "ahhhhhhh....those were the good old days.."

Kitschy is a look for those that simply will not conform to norms. Can it be done in a home successfully? Well you'd have to decide what that means. Anyone can design and decorate in Kitschy fashion, simply by googling images of what "kitschy" is.  Will it be easy? You would think so, because the line between being eclectic and kitschy is blurry at times, but easy? Well yes and no. Retro furniture is pricey. Not to say you can't find a similar metal rimmed formica table in green, red or yellow can't be found, but it will either be money for a replica or a great score at an antique mall or flea market. Either way, it will require some effort to achieve. Black and white floor tiles can still be found easily, and if done on the diagonal will certainly add to the flair. Getting retro appliances will also cost a pretty penny. Check out this adorable but pricey refrigerator:
https://bigchill.com/shop/refrigerators/original-big-chill-retro-refrigerator/
or a compact version: http://amzn.to/2eysldP

You get the idea, it will be costly to get the cheap and tacky look today. However, if this is what you love and I can see why, it may be worth all the effort. Decorate and design what you love, the way you want it, life is too short to do otherwise. Kitschy is for those that love to live by their own set of rules. One thing we can certainly say, its not cheap and tacky? Well its adventurous, colorful and fun..if that is what tacky is, sign me up! I want to meet these people that love this style because I know already I'm gonna enjoy their company!

Going retro and getting it right

Retro design is a popular and personal design. Nothing quite brings one back to their roots, their childhood memories of grandma's kitchen like retro design can. However, like with most design decisions, going retro in a room requires a little research. You don't want to just jump in because you stand the risk of having the end result look like an indoor garage sale and not the warm nostalgic space you envisioned.

Research
Do your homework for the specific time period you are interested in. This may require hitting up on various informational sources, including but not limited to, Antique malls, libraries, museums, and even grandma's house. In fact, if you take grandma along with you on your quest for authentic retro decor, she may be able to help you a lot with figuring out what is a great piece to add to your overall look. Research popular colors of the specific era you want to capture and don't limit yourself to just kitchen gadgets, there are a lot of vintage fabrics out there that you may want to look into such as table linens, window treatments etc.

Mixing old and new 
There are a lot of new appliances out there that have a retro feel to them. Don't be afraid to mix and match along the way, keep the focus of the overall feel of the space in mind and don't obsess over every little detail being completely authentic. There are new lines of retro inspired replicas and design accessories emerging every day that have some up to date advantages that shouldn't be overlooked. It is better to go with some of these updated options when dealing with anything electrical.

Remember, Rome was not built in a day
Be careful, it is easy to get overwhelmed when trying to bring a vision to life in decorating and design. Start off small and add as you go along. If you try to do too much too soon, you will most assuredly run out of money, patience and energy. Part of the appeal of retro design is it has a time worn, well loved and comfortable feel. This can't be achieved in a day, but takes time, love of the style and a good eye. Relax, enjoy the experience and let the design occur naturally, not under pressure. You want the look to be authentic not intentional.

Going too far 
One thing you don't want to do with your retro design is go too far. How can you go too far? Well, too much matchy-matchy deliberate accessories will  again, offset what you are trying to achieve and actually work against the design aesthetic, especially if you are trying to really capture a moment in time with your design. Better to have a few well chosen pieces, than to have a whole room where each element was bought from the same store, with the same logo, or color.

Also check out : Retro RefrigeratorDealer.com

Take a look at these wonderful retro finds that can really give you a jump start on your retro design scheme: