With retro and vintage trending in today’s interior design, let’s go back to the colors of the decades, starting with the psychedelic 60s.
Altered states in the 60s were usually brought about pharmacologically. That’s not what we want though. We are all for clean living that does no harm to mind, body, and spirit. Meditate, listen to music, get your 8 hours of sleep, fast—these are things you can do to embrace a healthy and balanced state of being.
Our way of embracing altered states can be done through using colors taken from the 1960s psychedelia. But before we dive into our recommended 60s color palette, here is a short description of the socio-cultural and political landscape of that decade.
Major Events in the 60s
The 60s was a very exciting decade, full of political mayhem and cultural upheavals.
That was when an American President was assassinated, as were two of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement in the US. There was the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the introduction of the birth control pill, three days of Woodstock where the counterculture practiced their ideals of communal living, free love, and open drug use, the building of the Berlin Wall, and the golden economic age for Western Europe. It was also in this decade that men walked on the moon.
View this post on Instagram
Pop art—bold and bright—dominated in the 60s. It was almost like a rebellion against traditional views on what art was supposed to be. So instead of what they were taught in art schools or saw in museums, artists felt the need to let art relate to the world they lived in. Imagery came from Hollywood movies, advertising, comic books, or product packaging.
Music was also a form of rebellion against tradition too. There was rock and roll, folk rock, blues, jazz, R&B, pop, and Motown. The British Invasion brought the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and the Animals to the U.S. There were many musical genres to choose from.
60s Psychedelic Colors
The world was changing fast, and it brought with it the psychedelic style with its intense colors and free-flowing lines. Think trippy, vibrant, fun! Complementary colors are placed next to each other to create a sense of movement. Blue is a part of the psychedelic style but for this particular paint color palette, we’ve chosen green instead because, judging from inquiries we’ve received, Pinoy homeowners seem to have a preference for this color.
Mid-century modern furniture, so beloved until today, was big in the 60s. Its sleek lines and functional design balanced the psychedelic style.
For those who want to experiment with colors in your homes, give the color palette a try. You can always introduce the explosion of colors on an accent wall, or on home accessories like cushions and throws while keeping the backdrop fairly simple with a neutral color like Living Large.
There are memes going around telling the younger generations that your grandparents were the OG of cool!
But there is no use comparing generations for each comes with its own challenges. Societal behaviors, attitudes, and intentions change to fit the times. Color preferences change too.
With Gen Z’s hyper-colored aesthetics, this 60s psychedelia should fit right into the homes of people in their 20s. Add metallics, neon, or your vintage finds for more impact.
Click on the subscribe button to get fresh drops about color inspirations, interior design trends, and paint tips in your email.
