Austin Powers introduced a new generation to the excesses of the 1960s.
Few decades saw as many social changes as the 1960s. The beginning of the decade still belonged to the staid, conservative mores of the previous decades, and by the end, the sexual revolution was in full force. The bedroom reflected that period also, from the model the Petries gave us each week in the "Dick van Dyke Show" television program where Rob and Laura slept in twin beds to the shagidelic version of life in the '60s later presented by Austin Powers. One bedroom cannot represent the entire swing of the decade.
Instructions
1. Pick the specific mood and culture you want your bedroom to represent. Choices include the conservative family approach, the Las Vegas Rat Pack chrome and glass, the mid-60s Swinging England style, the mystical Asian Indian beads and incense decor or the hippie pad with posters from favorite rock bands, a mattress and not much else.
2. Talk with friends and family who lived through that time and ask them for advice on authentic 1960s bedroom decor. If they start in obsessing over black lights and Jimi Hendrix posters, you know you've got someone who still remembers the time.
3. Watch period movies to see what bedrooms sets looked like. Movies that are parodies such as "Our Man Flint" give a good graphical sense of the time because the directors exaggerated for effect.
4. Mix and match some elements such as incense carefully since it was used with several decors, but having too many conflicting styles makes the room look less appealing.
5. Search through secondhand shops, resale shops, antique stores and garage sales for decorations that match your choice. Many of the items have not yet achieved antique status but an occasional find can be had.
6. Buy new lava lamps and other retro-but-new manufactured items to set the theme. Many of the well-known posters from the 1960s are available as reproductions.
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