70’s Outdoor decor

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to OMG the Seventies, the podcast that brings groovy vibes,
bold design, and cultural shifts from the nineteen seventies straight
to your ears. Today, we're stepping outside, literally, to explore
outdoor living in the nineteen seventies. From avocado green patio
furniture to tiki torches and backyard barbecues, outdoor spaces had

(00:25):
a style all their own, often completely different from the
shag carpets and wood paneled walls inside. Let's take a
nostalgic stroll through the yards and patios of a decade
that knew how to relax and style. Moving beyond the
four walls of the groovy nineteen seventies home, we step

(00:47):
into the outdoors, a space transformed as dramatically as the interiors.
Forget manicured lawns and perfectly symmetrical flower beds. The seventies,
the garden was all about a more relaxed, almost wild aesthetic.
Think less Versailles and more woodstock. While the era embraced

(01:09):
a certain level of artificiality inside, those shag carpets weren't
exactly nature's finest. The outdoor space saw a yearning for
a return to nature albet, a slightly romanticized and often
haphazard version the ubiquitous presence of macroma. That knotty expression

(01:31):
of nineteen seventies creativity didn't stop at the interior walls.
Outdoor spaces often boasted macrome plant hangers, creating a bohemian,
free spirited vibe that contrasted sharply with the more formal
gardens of previous decades. These weren't your grandmother's delicate hanging baskets.

(01:53):
These were substantial, often oversized affairs, cradling a variety of plants,
from peace lilies to spider plants. The more lush and overflowing,
the better. The overall effect was one of relaxed informality,
a feeling that extended to the patio furniture as well.

(02:15):
Forget the stiff, formal wicker of earlier eras. The seventies
patio set was more likely to be made of wrought iron,
often painted in a bold color like avocado green, of course,
but also sunshine yellow or burnt orange to match the

(02:35):
overall esthetic of the home. My grandmother and grandfather had
a yellow wrought iron pool furniture, and it was so
much fun. We all loved it until we were over it,
and my sister painted it black. I think it stuck
around for about fifty years until we really got sick

(02:56):
of it. Anyway, these pieces whils stir tended to have
a slightly more casual and less formal shape than their predecessors.
Think oversized cushions, comfy lounge chairs, and maybe even a
hammock strung between two trees. The emphasis was on relaxation
and enjoying the outdoors. The addition of brightly colored outdoor

(03:20):
pillows and geometric patterns, often featuring those same swirling laurel
patterns we've encountered indoor doors, only served to amplify this
casual comfort. This was not a space for stiff formality,
but for laid back socializing, enjoying the summer evenings with
friends and family. And what about those gatherings, while they

(03:44):
were often fueled by a different kind of fuel than
what we might see today, remember the popularity of the
charcoal grill. While gas grills were starting to gain traction,
the charcoal grill remained king, adding a unique smoky flavor
and a certain rustic charm to the outdoor dining experience.

(04:04):
Who doesn't remember the smell of the charcoal they had
delighted beforehand. Get it super hot. They had to be
all had to be perfectly gray. I remember that smell.
It just brings back so many memories. It was also
an activity here we go, firing up the grill, tending
to the coals that added to the social nature of

(04:26):
outdoor gatherings. It wasn't simply a matter of grilling. It
was a shared experience, a collective effort that cemented the
communal nature of nineteen seventies get togethers. This extended to
the preparation of the food as well. Pot lucks were
extremely common, bringing together a variety of dishes, some successes,

(04:47):
some let's just say successful, creating an eclectic and often
hilarious culinary experience. The garden itself was a reflection of
this eclectic spirit. Formal flower beds gave way to a
more naturalistic approach, with wild flowers, herbs, and vegetables often

(05:08):
growing side by side in a kind of happy chaos.
This wasn't about pristine perfection. It was about abundance and
a sense of connection with the natural world. Vegetable gardens
became increasingly popular as people sought to grow their food,
contributing to a growing sense of self sufficiency and environmental awareness.

(05:32):
This wasn't just about esthetics, it was about creating a
sustainable and self sufficient outdoor space. The addition of things
like bird baths and butterfly feeders only further cemented this
connection to nature, bringing a sense of tranquility and serenity
to the backyard environment. Interestingly, the nineteen seventies outdoor esthetic

(05:55):
reflected a growing interest in environmentalism, even if it sometimes
met manifested in rather unconventional ways. The rise of macromay,
for example, suggests a DIY ethos that echoed a broader
interest in sustainable practices, as people repurposed materials and created

(06:15):
their own unique outdoor spaces. This DIY spirit also extended
to the use of recycled materials in outdoor projects, further
emphasizing the decade's interest in environmental conservation. Using reclaimed wood
for building a deck or upcycled materials for creating garden

(06:36):
art demonstrated a conscious effort to minimize environmental impact. But
the seventies weren't just about embracing a relaxed lifestyle. Outdoor
recreation also reached new heights. The rise of recreational vehicles
or RVs as they are affectionately known, and camping equipment

(06:58):
provided new ways to explore the outdoors. Family vacations often
included trips to national parks and campgrounds, where families could
disconnect from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with nature.
While the RVs themselves might not have been the pinnacle
of fuel efficiency or environmental friendliness, they represented a significant

(07:22):
shift in how people approached leisure and outdoor recreation. The
focus shifted from formal outings to a more spontaneous and
adventurous approach. Moreover, the decades saw the rise of outdoor
sports and activities such as skateboarding, roller skating, and biking.

(07:44):
These activities were embraced by young people and reflected a
growing emphasis on physical activity and enjoying the outdoors. Remember
those platform shoes I do not exactly ideal for navigating
a skateboard, but this is precisely what adds to the
charm of the era. Its ability to embrace apparent contradictions,

(08:08):
Even seemingly mundane aspects of outdoor life took on a
unique seventies flare. Think of the outdoor lighting string lights
often strong haphazardly across patios and decks created a magical
ambiance on summer evenings. These weren't just functional lights, they

(08:29):
were esthetic choices, contributing to the relaxed, bohemian vibe of
the outdoor space, often powered by extension chords running from indoors.
This outdoor lighting showcase the informality that pervaded the nineteen
seventies outdoor environment. And let's not forget the most important thing,

(08:51):
the music. Outdoor parties and gatherings were often accompanied by
a soundtrack of the seventies classics, with portable record players
making their appearances in gardens and patios. The combination of music,
the relaxed atmosphere, and the unique seventies esthetic created a
truly unforgettable outdoor experience, a reflection of the era's casual

(09:15):
and care free spirit. In essence, the seventies outdoor space
wasn't just an extension of the home. It was a
reflection of the era's ethos, a blend of relaxed formality,
a diy spirit, a love of nature, even if sometimes
expressed in a slightly haphazard way, and a determination to

(09:37):
embrace a more casual lifestyle. It was an outdoors reflecting
the inward focus, a space where nature, creativity, and social
interaction converged in a truly unique and unforgettable way. It
was a space that, much like the interior of the
seventies home, reflected both the era's idiosyncrasy and a genuine

(10:01):
desire to enjoy the simpler pleasures of life, and often
do so with a healthy dose of ironic flare. It
wasn't always perfect. In fact, it was often delightfully imperfect,
and that's what made it so wonderfully unique and uniquely seventies.
Thank you so much for joining me on Oh My

(10:23):
God the Seventies or OMG the Seventies. We hope today's
episode gave you a fresh look at how the great
outdoors were styled during one of the most iconic decades
in design history. Don't forget to subscribe and tune into
our next episode, where we'll explore the changing social landscape
of the nineteen seventies, from protests and pop culture to

(10:45):
personal expression. So until then, keep it groovy and we'll
see you next time on OMG the Seventies.