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DOCUMENTING THE SPACES
THAT SHAPED OUR HOMES
Home design history,
decade by decade.
Exploring the styles, stories, and cultural moments behind the homes we grew up in.
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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
One design story every Sunday
COMPANION VIDEOS
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RESEARCHED FROM
Period sources & archives
1970s · KITCHEN DESIGN
Why Avocado Green Took Over the American Kitchen
Explore the cultural and design forces that made avocado green the defining color of 1970s kitchens.
EXPLORE THE ARCHIVE
Browse homes and design trends from the 1970s through Y2K.
The cultural and design forces behind from the past.
Designs, brands, and materials that time forgot.
Comparisons of designs then - and what we have now.
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Photo eBook:
The 24-Room
Nostalgic Makeover Guide
Before-and-after inspiration for creating a home with history, character, and modern comfort.
See how ordinary rooms can become warmer, more layered, and more personal through changes of color, lighting, furniture, texture, and vintage-inspired detail.
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THEN VS NOW
The Cost of Home,
Then and Now
Homes may look different, but the journey to own one has always been a story.
THEN • 1978
$54,300
Average new home price in the U.S.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
NOW • 2026
$480,600
Average new home price in the U.S.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Latest Design Stories
The Home Wet Bar: Why the Basement Bar Disappeared
Knotty pine, chrome stools and a sink built for one glass. Follow the home wet bar from Prohibition hideouts to the 1970s basement, see what one costs today, and discover why it faded and where it qui... ...more
Lost
October 30, 2026•13 min read
Kitchen Remodel Cost: 1995 vs. Today, Same 200 Square Feet.
In 1994, refreshing a 200-square-foot kitchen cost $6,546. Today nearly the same job runs $28,130. Follow the story from oak cabinets and wall ovens to labor shortages, tariffs, and the resale twist t... ...more
Then vs Now
October 23, 2026•13 min read
Halloween 1985 vs. Today: What a House Party Really Cost
What did a Halloween party cost in 1985? A real small-town newspaper from that October supplies the prices: $5 kids' costumes, $20 adult costumes, $1 movie rentals. See how they compare with today's $... ...more
Then vs Now
October 16, 2026•14 min read
YOUTUBE COMPANION
The Death of the Sunken Living Room
Watch the fuller story with archival imagery and details that did not fit into the article.
About Asha Creative Co.
Design Stories Worth Remembering
We uncover the hidden narratives behind the world's most enduring brands. The Nostalgic Decorator is dedicated to preserving the craft of design through meticulous research, thoughtful editorial, and a deep appreciation for the aesthetic legacy that shapes our future.
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Design Stories Worth Remembering
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