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I Have Interests Volume 5: Mid Century Modern
Jeff Pickett | June 12th, 2009
I don’t recall where I originally stumbled upon this photo, but I immediately saved a copy to my hard drive:
L to R we have: George Nelson, Edward Wormley, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Charles Eames and Jens Risom. In case you didn’t know (and I’ll presume you don’t), all six of those names would probably land in the top ten designers of the 20th century. Look them up. They are each responsible for some of the most iconic home and office furnishings in existence, not to mention their architecture… The fact that they are all featured in a single photograph, I find almost astonishing. If only Arne Jacobsen could have been there!
I don’t know if it’s my fascination with spy movies, old rock n roll, or my general appreciation of good design, but I have long held an interest in “modern design” of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s; commonly referred to as “Mid-Century Modern.” Everything from the Case Study Homes to chairs with fun names like: Egg, Swan, Womb, Diamond, Drop, Tulip and so forth. This stuff will cost you an arm and a leg, but the designs are inspirational.
Last fall I was upset to miss a tour of the Sheats/Goldstein House designed by John Lautner while traveling in Scandinavia. I made up for it by geeking out in various design museums in Stockholm and Copenhagen. To this day, collectors hunt down pieces of “Danish Modern” and “Swedish Modern” furniture. It’s a little out of my price range…
Earlier this week, the design blog Grain Edit tipped me off to a new documentary on Mid Century Modern architecture and design entitled, “Coast Modern.” No release information has yet been provided, but if the trailer is any indication, it’ll be worth the wait!
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Tags: arne jacobsen, case study homes, case study houses, charles eames, coast modern, coast modern film, coast modern movie, danish design, danish modern, diamond chair, drop chair, edward wormley, eero saarinen, egg chair, george nelson, goldstein home, goldstein house, grain edit, harry bertoia, jens risom, john lautner, mid century modern, modern classics, sheats goldstein, swan chair, swedish design, swedish modern, tulip chair, womb chair
I love the Saarinen tulip chair.
Thanks for your architecture/design wisdom. I really don’t think my life would be complete without learning about and viewing the “womb” chair.
I am in absolute love with anything Charles and Ray Eames touched. Currently I have the Eames Management chair in my loft. It is one of my favorite pieces.
Aside from them, I have a replica of the Bertoia wire chair. Which is a classic piece. The open-ness of the wire chair works so perfectly in my loft as well. It helps to keep the space open. I have a thing against clunky furniture that kills the open airy feel. Throw a fur throw over the back and voila.