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!
