Bloomingdale’s
From our East Coast facility in Glen Rock, New Jersey, comes this incredible collection of mid-1970s interiors from Bloomingdale's department store. Not much provenance survived, though it appears they're from Manhasset and Short Hills in New Jersey.
The Bloomingdale's in Manhasset (then operated by Federated) had been around since the 1970s and became Nordstrom Rack. The older Short Hills location has survived.
Barbara D’Arcy joined Bloomingdale’s as a junior decorator in 1952. The Manhattan-born interior designer remained with the company until 1995. Known professionally as Ms. D’Arcy, she was chief decorator of the model rooms in the furniture department at their flagship store in Manhattan.
In the late 1970s, her home furnishing designs — some for Wamsutta, were available at Bullock’s. The influential designer passed away in 2012.
Maybe you’re a member of the Saturday Generation. If so, we know you. Some of you have gone to work right from high school or trade school. Some of you are just starting out in your profession. You may have a roommate, you may live in a bachelor pad. You’re informed, you’ve got taste (usually more taste than money, right?) and as far as today is concerned, you’re with it. - Barbara D'Arcy, 1973.
While recognized as a New York institution, Bloomingdale's early connection to Los Angeles came in 1946 when Alfred Bloomingdale (department store heir) married Beverly Hills resident, Betty Lee Newling. The ceremony took place at the hilltop home of Anita Louise and Buddy Adler.
Oddly, Bloomingdale's first foray into the California retail space came in the mid-1990s (a time when Broadway and Bullock's were struggling). Looking for a spot to situate their West Coast flagship store, Bloomingdale's passed on Beverly Hills, and Costa Mesa, but decided on the Century City Mall. Other locations popped up at the Beverly Center and Newport Beach.
Charge it! Actually, this one’s on me. A gorgeous collection of department store home interiors.
