This home was exhibited in a modern house display at Marshall Field & Company in Chicago, Illinois in 1937. Its neat lawns, simple yet elegant furniture, glass block walls and patio for entertaining were all popular in gardens of the time.

Potted plants became available in 1926 in America, so gardeners didn't have to grow all their plants from seed anymore. Ready-potted plants require less time and skill to nurture, making gardening more accessible and increasing the variety of plants seen in gardens. Flowers we consider classics today – like carnations, roses, hollyhocks, foxgloves and delphiniums – were in high demand in the 1930s and even influenced wallpaper and soft furnishing.

Rare photos show what home life was really like in the 1930s