Visions of mid century luxuriousness by Albert Van Luit who dressed up Hollywood. Born in Cleveland Ohio, Albert Van Luit relocated himself to southern California at a youthful age. His wallcoverings defined mid century luxury interior design from the 1950s to the 1970s. These images are in the Huntington Library and were shot by Maynard Parker.

Dining room and wallpaper: Wallpaper setups in the Robertson store decorated by Mary Jane Carson, and at a decorator show. In an envelope labeled “Robertson window by Mary Jane Carson/Booths at Sports arena”. Los Angeles, California, where the Albert Van Luit and Company Complex was located. June 1964 image. American. Maynard Parker, photographer with this image being part of a photo shoot for Albert Van Luit which is archived at the Huntington. Originally under copyright. Fair use license. via https://hdl.huntington.org/digital/collection/p15150coll5/id/17906/rec/24
Wallpaper Setups. Presumably photographed at the Albert Van Luit and Company Complex in Los Angeles as a different location is not given. California, USA. March 28, 1961 image. American. Color transparency. Maynard Parker, photographer with this image being part of a collection of photographs and color transparencies shot for Albert Van Luit that is archived at the Huntington. Originally under copyright. Fair use license. via https://hdl.huntington.org/digital/collection/p15150coll5/id/17869/rec/25
Cannell and Chaffin. Display booth and Wallpaper: Wallpaper setups at decorator’s show at Hollywood Palladium. Hollywood, California USA. June 24, 1962 image. American. Photographed by Maynard Parker for Albert Van Luit and Company. Part of a Van Luit and Maynard Parker archive at the Huntington Library. Originally under copyright. Fair use license. https://hdl.huntington.org/digital/collection/p15150coll5/id/17913/rec/28
Ruth Brand: Display booth and Wallpaper: Wallpaper setups at decorator’s show at the Hollywood Palladium. Hollywood, California USA. June 24, 1962 image. American. Photographed by Maynard Parker for Albert Van Luit and Company. Part of a Van Luit and Maynard Parker archive at the Huntington Library. Originally under copyright. Fair use license. https://hdl.huntington.org/digital/collection/p15150coll5/id/17911/rec/30
Newport Bluffs Model Apartments (Living Room). Newport Beach, California USA. June 1965 image. American. Photographed by Maynard Parker for Albert Van Luit and Company. Part of a Van Luit and Maynard Parker archive at the Huntington Library. Originally under copyright. Fair use license. https://hdl.huntington.org/digital/collection/p15150coll5/id/20089/rec/60

Learn a bit more about Albert Van Luit, the business he created and the people who worked for him here https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/blogs/lapl/discover-lgbtqia-los-angeles-albert-van-luit-complex

Leave a Reply