The Soviet era has left us quite a legacy. The carpet is on the wall, and opposite the "wall" is a huge closet that occupies the area - yes, the entire wall. This picture is familiar, I think, to many. And after all, such interiors are still common in the CIS countries. What are the features of these interiors, how can you use the Soviet style in the interior, and how not to do it?
Interior
To begin with, let's try to figure out what the concept of interior includes. This word is of French origin and refers to the interior design of the space of the building, including architectural and artistic features. The internal arrangement of a dwelling can tell a lot about the life of a person, or even a whole generation. It is not for nothing that, for example, writers pay a lot of attention to the living space of their hero. How vivid was the description of the dwelling of Ilya Ilyich Oblomov … As for Soviet interiors, theycan show in detail the life of a simple Soviet person. Even now, there are probably few people who have not caught the echoes of the Soviet era in the interior. First, let's turn to history, because it is historical events that form the space for human life.
A bit about interiors in Tsarist Russia
Before the revolution, most of the population lived in villages. The apartments of the intelligentsia, in turn, were quite large, spacious, and luxurious. In such apartments, one could often see genuine works of art. In addition, the apartments had many rooms, living rooms, dining rooms.
Of course, it was possible to live like a poor student Raskolnikov… But it was the apartments of the intelligentsia that went into public use after the revolution and to some extent became the starting point for the formation of Soviet interiors, at least as a denial of such luxury.
Revolution, formation of the Soviet Union
The beginning of the 20th century was tense for Russia. The foreign policy of the Russian Empire in recent years has not been successful: the Russo-Japanese War of 1905, the country's participation in the First World War did not bring the people anything but troubles, deaths, hunger. Dissatisfaction with the authorities grew, the people raised uprisings. In 1917, 2 revolutions took place: the February Revolution, which led to the abdication of the Emperor, and the October Revolution, which resulted in a civil war and the subsequent formation of the Soviet Union under the control of the Bolshevik Party.
Ideological Attitudes
Young, newly formedthe state did not have enough housing for newly minted citizens. Everything that was in the Russian Empire was rejected, including the way of life with the desire to decorate apartments. Bare white walls, windows without curtains, furniture without unnecessary decorations were considered ideal at that time.
Communal apartments
The problem of lack of housing was solved as follows: the apartments of the bourgeoisie were transferred to the ownership of the communes. Living space was saved as much as possible - kitchens and bathrooms became common. 5 square meters were allocated per tenant. At the same time, representatives of the intelligentsia left the country, leaving all their property - objects with artistic and historical value could not be exported abroad. As a result, furniture also became the property of ordinary people. It was a real confrontation between beautiful furniture, luxurious interiors and elements of rural life. The society that settled in apartments was not ready to accept the culture of life in the city. How not to recall here the conflict between Professor Preobrazhensky and Shvonder? The work of Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov very accurately conveys the spirit of that era.
Soviet interior of the 40s
During the Great Patriotic War, the country was not up to the interior. Truly tragic events have set their priorities. The post-war years were also not conducive to a thorough home improvement. Pre-revolutionary furniture was still preserved in the interior, which was often "diluted" with home-made household items. And yet, 20 years of existence have already made it possible to form their own prerequisites for a special interior of the Soviettime.
Interior 50s
Although the country was closed, Western tendencies seeped into it. Making the apartment look like a western dwelling was what was in vogue. But material and physical possibilities rarely allowed to realize this in full. The presence of household appliances in the house also made the apartment "European": a telephone, a radio, and maybe even a TV! But if it was real, albeit difficult, to acquire Soviet equipment, then one could only look at the American one.
60s trends
60s brought Soviet citizens the opportunity to purchase real European room and kitchen sets, small in size. After all, the problem of a small area of \u200b\u200bhousing has still persisted, and minimalism was absolutely functional. And most importantly, the headsets were made in Europe! Abroad! That's the fate of dreams!
European design also had some aesthetic norms. Already, people began to think about what color to choose for the wall set, what other items to choose for the room so that it looks harmonious … After all, the apartment has become much more modern. Although, nevertheless, the Soviet people could not afford luxury, and more bought something as needed. It was under such conditions that the Soviet interior was gradually formed. The spread of music education has made the piano a necessary subject in the home.
What was the interior in the 70s
70s became the heyday of that Soviet style in the interior, to which we are accustomed. It is in theseyears, a legendary carpet appeared! It could be anywhere: on the floor (where it should, in general, be), on the wall, and even on furniture. The carpet in the Soviet interior was a luxury item - the pleasure was not cheap.
Household appliances are becoming more modern. The more Western in the interior of the Soviet style, the better.
But there was, in addition to the West, and its own culture. But, unfortunately, they fled from her, they were ashamed of her. Only true connoisseurs, educated people or people with innate taste did not follow the path of imitation. But, as practice shows, there are usually not many of them - only a few.
The 80s have arrived
The last period of the Soviet era finally consolidated the trends of an entire era. Apartments of this period cannot be imagined without a wall. Big, no - a huge headset, in which there are a lot of shelves, and they are filled with the most necessary things that are used very rarely, on special occasions, for example, crystal dishes. Perhaps it was not even worth adding a photo of the Soviet interior of this type? I think this view is familiar to many without photos.
And the picture gallery (in addition to the carpet) was replaced by photo wallpapers. Why go out into nature and admire the views surrounded by mosquitoes? Here it is - a beautiful view of the forest in its full size … I went into the room and enjoy the scenery.
And what masterpieces the chandeliers were. Huge, with numerous decorations, and even with "pendants" made of crystal. In terms of severity, they could only compete withthe amount of dust they collected on themselves.
Home libraries were popular. Still, this is the dignity of the Soviet era. People were reading. After all, the book was the only source of information.
Modern Soviet interior in apartments
The Soviet era has left us a huge legacy in the form of interior items. And indeed, now it is not uncommon for apartments with a carpet on the wall, or even with two. Huge wardrobes from floor to ceiling are still preserved. And what about the walls? It is difficult to part with this item, not only out of nostalgia for bygone times, but also because there will simply be nowhere to put everything hidden in it. Yes, and it is extremely problematic to pull such a mountain of furniture out of the apartment. (How did they bring her there?..)
What can be done with such a rich heritage? How to apply Soviet furniture in a modern apartment to keep up with the times?
How not to use elements from the past in a modern apartment
Sometimes apartment owners try to recreate the unique flavor of a Soviet apartment in its original form, in which we can see it in films or in photos. "Soviet apartments", the interiors of such a plan are now somewhat ridiculous. Or perhaps in such dwellings, simply no one wants to change anything. I confess that the author of the article was horrified by such a spectacle … No matter how reliable Soviet furniture is, it still becomes unusable. It will soon be 30 years since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and after all, many things were purchased during its heyday.
Whatamazing contrast! Brand new plastic windows and a radiator are clearly superfluous in this atmosphere of Soviet cuisine. But it is they who testify that the interior of the Soviet era migrated to the modern time. There is very little space in this kitchen, but there are cupboards, lots of cupboards. It would be better if there was a place where you can comfortably cut something, and it would be possible to wash dishes without hiding behind the refrigerator. And it's good that the latter is located in the kitchen, because now there are those who put this household appliance in the corridor, where it has absolutely no place.
In a modern interior, the Soviet wall (or its likeness) also does not look very appropriate. It's too big, takes up too much space in the room. And most importantly, it is often filled with those things that are not used.
It is unlikely to add space to the room, light and carpet on the wall. Perhaps it's nice to fall asleep looking at endless rhombuses or floral patterns, but, probably, the place for such a miracle is still in a bygone era.
Elements of nostalgia in a modern apartment
Although in their totality all these items cannot represent a modern interior, separate moderate use of them can not only save money on buying new furniture, but also bring a unique charm to your home, give an atmosphere of slight nostalgia (rather than complete immersion in era with all its complexities and problems). Sometimes some elements can create additional comfort.
An example of this is, of course, a carpet. It is not necessary to use it as a tapestry on the wall. ATin the end, Shvonder, who does not wear galoshes (and, accordingly, does not take off), will not enter your apartment, will not stain the carpet, even if he is Persian. For example, the Scandinavian style combines ultra-modern furniture with some vintage elements in a very harmonious way.
Light, clean room. And after all there was a place for a carpet. But how cozy and warm it is - precisely due to the Soviet carpet in the modern interior.
Another detail that will save money, time, effort is not a piece of furniture, but a Soviet herringbone parquet. After all, a wooden floor in good condition is not cheap. And in general, a complete floor replacement is a difficult task. If the boards have retained a good condition, they can always be restored, and then varnished or painted. Refreshing without updating itself can also make something already familiar feel more comfortable.
Harmoniously selected modern furniture will qualitatively complement the modern interior.
Similar restoration can be done not only with the floor. Any pieces of furniture with due imagination can be turned into modern designer items. On the one hand, this will allow you to express your individuality, to create what you would like. After all, it is far from always possible to completely choose one or another thing to your taste. And ordering new designer pieces of furniture "for yourself" is not a cheap pleasure. On the other hand, this will help to preserve the once expensive thing, which carries, perhaps, somethose are positive memories. And the very idea that any element of the Soviet interior can be given a new life is pleasant.
It would seem that the shape of this chair (photo above) is traditional, Soviet. But the new, bright upholstery breathed such freshness into it that it is difficult to distinguish it from a new one, bought or ordered. Such a chair is worthy of the most honored guest in the house. So you can use Soviet furniture in a modern interior.
The Soviet era left a lot of interior elements as a keepsake. How to use them now - everyone decides for himself. You can, of course, leave everything as it is. Suddenly, future generations will want to see how our country lived half a century ago, what hopes and dreams, what difficulties it faced. You can just get rid of all things and run: run after fashion, after Western traditions, not paying attention to the bygone Soviet era. And you can leave only some elements of the Soviet decor as a pleasant nostalgia, but at the same time work with them competently so that they do not look superfluous in modern life.
