Time warp homes – untouched time capsule properties of the past
Pristine historic homes untouched for decades

Modernist 1970s house, Västernorrland County, Sweden

Modernist 1970s house, Västernorrland County, Sweden

Inside, the vibrant living room is a kaleidoscope of colour and clashing patterns. Typical of its era, the loud scheme features an ochre and brown colour palette, bold floral wallpaper and curtains, patterned linoleum flooring and a futuristic pendant light.
Modernist 1970s house, Västernorrland County, Sweden

Connecting the home's two pristine storeys – and one of our favourite focal points – has to be the curved, open-tread staircase, complete with an unusual rope balustrade. Flanked by ochre tartan wallpaper and an emerald green feature wall, this characterful hallway is seriously spectacular.
Modernist 1970s house, Västernorrland County, Sweden

Calling all maximalists: this bedroom pushes patterned wallpaper to the extreme. The busy, floral print even extends to the doors of the fitted wardrobes! Designed by its previous owners, the time capsule home went on the market for the first time in 2018 and has since changed hands – here's hoping some of its quirky, original touches have been preserved.
Immaculate 1950s family home, London, UK

Nestled in the affluent London suburb of Highgate on a street that's now a celebrity property hotspot, this unassuming two-storey house gives no hint of its remarkable interior from the modest brick façade. But what lies within offers a glimpse back in time to domestic life in the wake of the Second World War, long before the home's famous neighbours moved in...
Immaculate 1950s family home, London, UK

Built for a doctor and his wife around 65 years ago, the pristine property is virtually unchanged since it was finished. The original mint green kitchen features the same cabinetry installed all those years ago, as well as a quirky flip-down banquette in the open dining area. Vinyl and Formica, are still in place just as you'd expect in a '50s kitchen.
Immaculate 1950s family home, London, UK

Decked out with blush pink tiles, the vintage bathroom is a pastel dream. The couple's son, who lived in California at the time, would write to them about the newest home features he'd discovered in the US, and one of his suggestions, a toilet with a foot-pedal flush, still features in the suite today.
Immaculate 1950s family home, London, UK

A cutting-edge house in its day, the property is packed with early versions of smart home tech, many of which are now commonplace in modern properties. The two levels of living spaces, including the balcony and garage, are wired with a centralised radio system, allowing residents to listen to their favourite music anywhere in the house.
Victorian manor, California, USA

This picture-perfect Gothic pile in the town of Euraka, in California, could be straight out of a fairytale. The Carson Mansion, built in 1885 by the nouveau riche lumber merchant William Carson, was designed to his exacting specifications and little has changed to this day...
Victorian manor, California, USA

Stepping inside, visitors are confronted with the jaw-dropping redwood staircase, sourced from the Carson lumberyard. Featuring exquisite carving, turning and illuminated by a six-panel stained-glass window, no expense was spared on the construction of this house. It rivals the great chateaux of France in its finery!
Victorian manor, California, USA

Victorian manor, California, USA

The formal dining room was a very important room in the Victorian household and as such it has been fitted out with a hand-carved oak fireplace, a gilded ceiling and the original oak table. This room would have been used for hosting dinner parties and family meals, though larger social soirees would always be held in the ballroom.
Fab four-bedroom house, New Jersey, USA

When this four-bed family home in Ramona, New Jersey hit the market in 2017, the real estate agent Lucas Wolf was overwhelmed with interest. According to Realtor, he described it as the “coolest house I’ve ever been inside” so it's no wonder that the perfectly preserved property drew multiple offers before selling very quickly for $461,400 (£353k).
Fab four-bedroom house, New Jersey, USA

Stepping through the front door into the green flocked hallway, it’s clear that this house hasn’t been decorated since the 1960s. This living room goes for a 'more is more' approach to combining textures and colours, with a white exposed brick wall, ornate gilded finishes on the windows, mirror and furniture, and an abundant interior flower bed that adds even more greenery to the scheme.
Fab four-bedroom house, New Jersey, USA

The maximalism continues in this formal sitting room, with what might have been called an ‘oriental’ theme at the time. Check out the black lacquered furniture, orange satin-lined panels on the window and a reclining leopard statue – it’s totally wild!
Fab four-bedroom house, New Jersey, USA

Heading upstairs into one of four bright vintage bedrooms and it's clear that peacock blue inspired this brave decorator from the past. The silk curtains and bedding have been colour-matched to the bold motif wallpaper and walls, while an old-fashioned TV sits on an adjustable stand. Despite – or perhaps because of – the décor, the house was snapped up in no time.
1970s Palm Springs relic, California, USA

Known as Stephan's Folly, this amazing home in Palm Springs was built in 1965 and eventually purchased by 'plumber to the stars' Jack Stephan, who spent a great deal of time and money refurbishing the interiors in 1971.
1970s Palm Springs relic, California, USA

1970s Palm Springs relic, California, USA

A textbook example of 1970s style, the home has a sunken living room, curved wet bar and a screening theatre. With three bedrooms and five bathrooms, it also includes a butler's pantry and walk-in wardrobes.
1970s Palm Springs relic, California, USA

The only part of the house that takes a break from the swathes of red is the nostaglic vintage kitchen. Decorated with mustard yellow counters, an orange window blind and dark wood cabinets, it's also fitted with original appliances and a suspended ceiling.
1960s holiday cottage, New South Wales, Australia

1960s holiday cottage, New South Wales, Australia

The nostalgic cottage is full of furniture from the 1960s. The flecked carpet immediately draws the eye – it seems the owner wasn't afraid of a pattern or two. The colourful kitchen features vibrant turquoise units and matching chairs for the ultimate throwback.
1960s holiday cottage, New South Wales, Australia

1960s holiday cottage, New South Wales, Australia

Bright 1960s house, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Bright 1960s house, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Bright 1960s house, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Covered floor to ceiling in bold white and blue patterned tiles, the bathroom suite is typical of the flamboyant designs of the 1960s and though new owners have added the odd anachronistic touch, most of the effects are still true to the time.
Bright 1960s house, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Usonian house, Minnesota, USA

This rare Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home was previously put up for sale by its original owners with all of its authentic features intact. Sold back in 2018 for $1.2 million (£923k), this impeccable mid-century modern masterpiece isn't short on wow-factor.
Usonian house, Minnesota, USA

Usonian house, Minnesota, USA

Usonian house, Minnesota, USA

Untouched 1950s time capsule, Toronto, Canada

Untouched 1950s time capsule, Toronto, Canada

From a mint green hearth to Louis XV-style sofas, this sugar-sweet living room certainly makes a statement. Fitted out with pastel pink décor, period touches and statement wallpaper, it's a perfect time capsule of the era.
Untouched 1950s time capsule, Toronto, Canada

Throughout the house, the rooms are colour-themed, from deep purple to turquoise green, fitted out with what are now very desirable vintage homewares, furnishings and accessories.
Untouched 1950s time capsule, Toronto, Canada

Silver Lake cliff house, California, USA

Silver Lake cliff house, California, USA

Silver Lake cliff house, California, USA

Silver Lake cliff house, California, USA

1920s suburban villa, Nottinghamshire, UK

1920s suburban villa, Nottinghamshire, UK

1920s suburban villa, Nottinghamshire, UK

After the death of her husband in 1932, Florence Straw made very few changes to the house and kept his memory alive by keeping his belongings in their proper place. By the time it was left to the National Trust, the home had collected all sorts of items, from snuff boxes to an upright piano, making it a truly unique collection.
1920s suburban villa, Nottinghamshire, UK

When the lady of the house also passed away in 1939, her sons took over possession of the house and kept everything much the same. Their tendency for thriftiness and frugality led to very little modernisation in the house, and its protected status means that their home will remain a snapshot of family life frozen in time.
Unchanged 1950s family home, Country Durham, UK

Unchanged 1950s family home, Country Durham, UK

Unchanged 1950s family home, Country Durham, UK

Unchanged 1950s family home, Country Durham, UK

The kitchen is an incredible homage to the era, with bursts of pink dotted across the old-fashioned cabinetry and woodwork, plus original flooring, curtains and wallpaper. We hope it never changes!
1950s round house, Texas, USA

This unusual house in the small town of Gladewater, Texas was built in 1952 and hasn't changed much since. After sitting untouched for decades, the rotund property was first put on the market back in 2014, but has since been withdrawn. We can't blame the owners for struggling to part with it!
1950s round house, Texas, USA

1950s round house, Texas, USA

No detail was overlooked in the home's design, from the Dentil crown mouldings to the Federal-style mantel in the living room. The heavy floral curtains complete with draped pelmets were also a huge trend at the time.
1950s round house, Texas, USA

The second living area is a darker space with mustard yellow curtains, a brown sofa and dark wooden floors. The geometric and floral wallpaper brings a welcome burst of colour, which is carried through to the small bathroom with its vibrant maroon fixtures. It's a huge contrast to the light spaces we love today!
Retro ranch, Illinois, USA

This Illinois ranch was built in 1965 and doesn't seem to have changed much since then. With 6,550 square feet of space, it's a fine family home and so far it seems its occupants have honoured the house's mid-century origins.
Retro ranch, Illinois, USA

Inside, the house has been seemingly frozen in time since the mid-1960s and reminds us of what our grandparents' homes looked like. The living room, which has large windows along one wall, is decked out in pale pinks and dark wood with pelmet curtains and even a vintage TV.
Retro ranch, Illinois, USA

Retro ranch, Illinois, USA

The kitchen leads through to the dining area, featuring a four-seater dining set flanked by large patio doors that open out onto the garden. The '60s flooring follows through from the kitchen, a boon for any fans of vintage design.
Untouched worker's cottage, New South Wales, Australia

Untouched worker's cottage, New South Wales, Australia

The two-bedroom house, which unsurprisingly looks a little worse for wear, includes a combined laundry and bathroom space with a hot water copper or water heater for filling the bath, as well as an antique wooden dresser.
Untouched worker's cottage, New South Wales, Australia

Untouched worker's cottage, New South Wales, Australia

Relics of yesteryear, there are old sepia photographs still hanging around the house, and a single-wire bed frame lingers in the living room. The historic space offers a fascinating look back at how houses would have looked for an ordinary Australian family 100 years ago.
Palm Springs 1960s house, California, USA

From the outside, this home looks like a recently built property designed in a mid-century modern style. The growing appetite for retro design means many new-build houses reference the popular 1960s aesthetic, but here we have an example of the real thing.
Palm Springs 1960s house, California, USA

Palm Springs 1960s house, California, USA

Palm Springs 1960s house, California, USA

Amazingly, the rich colours haven't faded and are as striking now as they would have been when the property was first decorated. Design trends popular in the late '60s appear throughout the décor, such as the dark wooden finishes, shag pile carpets and low textured ceilings.
Pristine ‘70s condo, California, USA

One unit in the Country Villas West condo complex, just outside San Diego, caught everybody’s attention when it hit the market in February this year. Built in the early 1970s, this ordinary-looking exterior hides a retro-lover’s dream inside; an almost untouched home that has been barely inhabited for 30 years.
Pristine ‘70s condo, California, USA

Recently sold for $340,000 (£261k), this 1,800-square-foot home is so authentic that even the magazines on the coffee table are 30 years old. It’s also got bags of space spread over two floors, with a fantastic old-school spiral staircase, complete with treads covered in the vibrant green shag pile carpet.
Pristine ‘70s condo, California, USA

The pristine interior was the work of an interior designer, hired by the condo complex developer in the ‘70s. Vivid lime green was chosen as the signature scheme for the house, with the citrus hue used on the floor, walls, fabrics and furnishings. Real estate agent Nancy Maranan describes the three-bed, three-bath condo as “a true time capsule”.
Pristine ‘70s condo, California, USA

In the master bedroom, the bold use of colour continues but a busy floral pattern steps the whole look up a notch. There’s even a customised bedspread and curtains to match the signature wallpaper. We bet lots of vintage-lovers out there would love to move straight in!
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