J.B. Taylor: The New Apartment Book (1983).

As previously posted about, I am obsessed with Terence Conran's 1974 House Book, but if I had to pick a second favorite vintage decor tome, it would surely be The New Apartment Book (by the editors of Apartment Life magazine, whatever that is). And like the House Book, I found it at NYC's Strand bookshop for $12.50. Originally written in 1979, the edition I have was revised in 1983 (you can tell by the totally '80s graph paper treatment on the cover):

The "Apt. Book" contains great ideas for sprucing up a small apartment, lending it a lot of pizazz, on a vintager's budget. Here are some great examples, both totally stylish, and highly humorous at the same time:

(Above) I choose to call this look "crafty-nostalgic-grannie-psych". Note the drawer of old wood type used as a coffee table = sweeet.

There is even a special chapter in the book dedicated to showing young graphic designers how they should decorate their pads, which of course includes: cork canisters, photo studio lighting, lots of booze, and grid patterns on your walls and furniture.

(L) Love this Fiorucci inspired desk scenario. (R) I've been obsessed with spice racks lately, so for me, this is some spicy porn. I also adore the tiny T.V. hidden away on the bottom shelf. I'd totally put a pillow in there and watch TCM all day, while sniffing cinnamon and sage.

So many things about this kitchen kill me . . . most especially the old shaving mirror spring used as a pot rack, "Babe Rainbow" and the "food/cigarette" painting above the stove.

(L) Nic and I found this exact Thonet-era rocking chair for $60 in Vermont, so eventually, i'm sure our bedroom will look identical to this (especially if I keep reading these '70s interior design books). (R) This is every aspiring pin-up girl's dream-Xanadu boudoir, perfectly adorned with tropical barkcloths, a pastel rainbow wall mural, gold typewriter, and a burlwood jukebox which plays The Andrews Sisters and Sailor, all day.

This shows how to achieve an "indoor patio" effect. Note the hammock, cloud photo window shades, gazing ball, and fish accent pillows. And you just know they were listening to this.

Upon first glance, I really laughed at how utterly '70s this room was, but the more I see it, the more seriously awesome it becomes. Now I can't mess with it. I'm actually filled with envy.

These demonstrate how to curate an "Art Deco" themed room, either on a pricey budget of $3,308, or a vintager's budget of $733 (today the couch alone would be $2,500).

The book even features an uncredited cameo by Richard Dreyfuss, as confirmed by the address on the package next to the trilby hat (the script for Down and out in Beverly Hills perhaps?).

(L) Here's a grody couple kickin' back in their hammock on a Sunday morning, and totally listening to this. (R) Judy and Vincente, Liza and Peter, Renate and Elton . . . so many fabulous women have married gay men over the years. Note that he just took her to see A Chorus Line, and they loved it so much, they bought the record. Awesome.

Too much late-'70s for my brain to handle, almost. I'm coveting the modern wicker chairs (where can I find those?), but I find the white-gloved-hand cup-cozy to be a bit much, no?