Heritage Homes -

A 1950's Post War Bungalow

Located in the mature neighborhood of North Glenora in Edmonton , this home was built, as so many others, in the "modern" style that was so popular after the end of WW2 and the discovery of oil in the province. Almost over night the city saw population growth it had not seen since the real estate boom of 1910 - 1913 era.

These homes present a bit of a challenge when it comes to decorating them. Caught between the older heritage homes and today's new homes, their decor requires attention to certain considerations. The homeowners' antique furniture and modern pieces work well together - the key is scale.

In the dining room shown here, the appropriately scaled Victorian sideboard acts as the focal point in the room, providing a strong vertical element. The mirrored backdrop makes the antique furniture piece appear lighter than it really is plus has the added bonus of reflecting light. The dark mahogany color works well with the unmatched C1945 mahogany chairs and dark cherry oval table. The legs on the table, chairs and small china cabinet (not shown ) are almost identical and this acts as a coordinating design element.

Warm gold walls create a good backdrop for the dark woods. The cove ceilings feature simple molding and plaster work. The dining room is accessed through an original leaded glass fir door. The traditional draperies in red, green, gold on a navy background were sewn by Johanne. Red is the unifying accent color found in the upholstery, area rug and wall accessories. Live plants and a formal silk arrangement in the colors of the room add visual interest as do the collection of single flower vases on the sideboard.

Who says a fireplace has to be real? When the homeowners removed the old wool carpeting, they found evidence of a fireplace that had been removed.

Unfortunately, the repair work on the oak hardwood was poor, so they were faced with a dilemma – replace oak flooring and try to get it to match the old boards or build a “fireplace”. Johanne chose the latter and built it herself using inspiration from various styles, and combining textured wallpaper with faux marbling techniques.

Set into the fireplace “alcove” is a 1950’s fireplace heating unit. In the winter, the rotating “coals” add surprisingly to the warm ambiance of the room.

Creating interesting mantel décor that changes with the seasons is fun for these homeowners. The C1910 royalty busts sit next to antique books set in front of a Victorian hunting print.(see above)The etching is based on an original 12 ft. wide painting in England. A small book came with the artwork – it identified the entire group of people along with some interesting information on each.

Antique wooden candlesticks, majolica pottery pieces and an original oil painting of a ship in choppy waters are flanked by unusual fruit topiaries

Victorian oval wood framed photographs behind original bubble glass are some of the most quintessential elements of decorating with antiques.

(above left). Who cares if the people portrayed are relatives or not? Books, statuary, and a collection of Roseville pottery next to a comfortable turn of the century armchair creates an inviting corner to sit and read or visit with guests.

Working with a "boxy" bungalow can actually afford a homeowner a lot of leeway and opportunity to create comfortable and interesting spaces. This home is a testament to the vision and creativity of the homeowners.

Written By Johanne Yakula

Sources: From Times Past Antique Furniture and Accessories

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