But did you know they also had their hand in designing fabric?
Here's a pic I found featuring a chair upholstered in one of their more famous patterns.
The pattern is still in production, but not cheap at over $100 a yard!
Showing posts with label Mid-Century Modern. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mid-Century Modern. Show all posts
Friday, December 21, 2012
Sighting: Eames fabric
For anyone truly into Mid-Century Modern, you know that Charles and Ray Eames are synonymous with MCM design.
But did you know they also had their hand in designing fabric?
Here's a pic I found featuring a chair upholstered in one of their more famous patterns.
The pattern is still in production, but not cheap at over $100 a yard!
But did you know they also had their hand in designing fabric?
Here's a pic I found featuring a chair upholstered in one of their more famous patterns.
The pattern is still in production, but not cheap at over $100 a yard!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Auction Finds: Delicate, Sensuous, Beautiful - The works of Eva Zeisel
Oddly enough, I've seen her work dozens of time. At estate sales, garage sales, auctions, even the occasional Goodwill. Little did I know how wonderful, how delicate, how beautiful her works really were, until I acquired some of her pieces shown here.
To try to cover her career and timeline here would be futile, though filled with plenty of impressive name-dropping: Hall China, Rosenthal, Federal Glass, Red Wing, Heisey. All of these names ring of strong reputation, gorgeous design, and wonderful mid-century form. Just having "Heisey" on your resume is (at least to me) impressive enough.
The pieces you see here are from some design work she did for Hall China's Hallcraft line in the "Harlequin" pattern. From what I gather, she was responsible for the "shape" of the pieces; perhaps Hall did the decorative additions. But that stunning pink and black star-like pattern just screams mid-century.
If you have any interest at all in retro or mid-century ceramics or dinnerware, or even a faint interest in the design work of that period, you owe it to yourself to spend a few moments to read up on this wonderful, talented woman.
Oh, and if you think her work is solely relegated to the past, fear not. Not only is she still with us today, her work is still being offered at such sites as Crate and Barrel, Design Within Reach, as well as her own site. Please...take a look.
In my opinion, her designs are as beautiful and timeless as the Nelson Ball Clock or the Eames Lounge Chair...high praise indeed.Thursday, September 1, 2011
For Sale: Vintage Set LIBBEY Glass 12 Jigger Barware Shotglasses: SOLD
The glasses were made by Libbey Glass and the 12 jiggers come complete with their original box. The box has nice retro graphics on it. The glasses each have Libbey "L" molded in the base and have a nice, unusual and eye-catching conical shape to them.
Condition
The glasses are a bit dirty from being stored for all these years but are in otherwise excellent condition. The box is also a bit dusty, but still suitable for storing the glasses, as well as being a display item.
Free shipping.
For Sale: Merry Mushroom Latch Hook Rug - Framed: SOLD
There is no way you lived through the seventies without knowing or at least seeing some Merry Mushroom piece in someone's kitchen.
I think the word "ubiquitous" is in order.
Pretty much every household had some piece somewhere: a coffee pot, clock, canister set, cookware, post holders, glassware, placemats, cheese platter, silverware, towel rack, planters, perhaps even curtains (although curtains were more of a "finishing touch" to the MM look).
I imagine if you really wanted to, you could do your entire kitchen in Merry Mushroom, save for the appliances and furniture pieces.
 |
| Yep...we got it too...right over our kitchen door! |
This was probably one of the most shining moments in Sears history.They made and sold the Merry Mushroom line from 1970 to 1985 when the line was finally discontinued...a long, profitable reign whose line seemed to expand and extend from year to year.
Well...one more piece of the MM design that you occasionally see cropping up (no pun intended) is the Merry Mushroom latch hook rug kit.
Once completed, you could have your MM decorating your floor, right in front of your sink or oven.
Or...how about your wall?
Here's a MM latch hook rug that someone loved enough to frame. It's currently available for $25.99, with free shipping!
This is a completed latchhook rug kit featuring a beautiful Merry Mushroom design. The rug has been framed in a solid wood frame, and it's all ready to hang on your wall. The entire piece measures about 26 inches tall and 20 inches wide. It's in very good vintage condition.
Free shipping.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
UPDATED 2! Auction Finds: odd little table
The first thing that came to mind when I saw this table was "What would the set of 'Star Trek' look like in Danish Modern?"Personally, I LOVE this table. Very architectural. The legs remind me of what I'd imagine the metal frame of an airplane would look like: thin, arched for stength, perforated for lighter weight.
I was lucky when I got it home (oh, yeah...I got the table after a rather heated bidding war) and found out that it was in really great condition. It needs a bit of touch-up, but nothing major at all.
I have no idea where the table came from. I also can't tell if the table was hand-made or a factory item. I'm like going 60/40 that it's a handmade table. 
The entire piece is made out of 3 pieces of plywood.The holes were not straight-through cuts, but rather graduated to add a bit of depth as well as to to show off the different levels of plywood used. The edges were treated and stained the same way.
Pretty neat little added bit of design, especially if it is indeed a handmade piece.
What do YOU think? Think this might be a great plant stand for Captain Kirk?
OK, this table is UP FOR AUCTION!! Auction starts Monday night, September 5th!
What's More Retro Than...Fine Dining 60's Style!
Maybe it was the new-found post-war prosperity. Maybe it was the new-found tastes of soldiers returning home. Maybe it was Julia Child. But for some reason, the "fine dining restaurant" catapulted in both number and popularity from the mid-50's right through the 60's.
"Fine dining" was basically America's first-time, shotgun-blast exposure to foods and culinary creations not typically heard of in the US. And such establishments, well, established many dishes we take for granted today.
But I'm not here to discuss dishes from the 50's and 60's we all know and love.
I'm here to discuss one that may not ring any culinary bells.
I love this book. It's from 1964 and features so many "new" recipes for dishes we take for granted today.
And yes, that Bananas Foster that guy's prepping on the cover looks mighty delicious, don't it?
But before dessert, how about a nice appetizer?
Say...broiled grapefruit...with a yummy chicken liver on top!!
From Chalet Suzanne in Lake Wales, Florida, comes this delectable little dish.
I am not a chicken liver fan, nor a fan of liver in general. The combination of grapefruit (yummy), topped with broiled, melted cinnamon sugar (good, too) and then a cooked chicken liver just sounds like an awkward combination. Oh, and the liver gets more cinnamon sugar on top of it, too! But I guess it's still quite the big seller, since it's still on the restaurant's current menu.
But to be honest, the picture above of the grapefruit kind of reminds me of the little pig cross sections we had to study in high school Biology class. So perhaps that 60's photo doesn't do the dish justice.
But if any of you are brave enough (or perhaps this just sounds like a yummy combo to you) then here's the recipe.
If you DO try it, PLEASE let me know how it was. Perhaps I can find a few more interesting recipes for you to try.
 | ||||
| I wonder if she would have liked the dish we'll soon be talking about. |
But I'm not here to discuss dishes from the 50's and 60's we all know and love.
I'm here to discuss one that may not ring any culinary bells.
 |
| So many good sounding dishes. But I'm not too sure about this one... |
I love this book. It's from 1964 and features so many "new" recipes for dishes we take for granted today.
And yes, that Bananas Foster that guy's prepping on the cover looks mighty delicious, don't it?
But before dessert, how about a nice appetizer?
Say...broiled grapefruit...with a yummy chicken liver on top!!
 | |
| BTW...this is still on their menu. |
I am not a chicken liver fan, nor a fan of liver in general. The combination of grapefruit (yummy), topped with broiled, melted cinnamon sugar (good, too) and then a cooked chicken liver just sounds like an awkward combination. Oh, and the liver gets more cinnamon sugar on top of it, too! But I guess it's still quite the big seller, since it's still on the restaurant's current menu.
But to be honest, the picture above of the grapefruit kind of reminds me of the little pig cross sections we had to study in high school Biology class. So perhaps that 60's photo doesn't do the dish justice.
But if any of you are brave enough (or perhaps this just sounds like a yummy combo to you) then here's the recipe.
 |
| Bon Appetit!! |
If you DO try it, PLEASE let me know how it was. Perhaps I can find a few more interesting recipes for you to try.
(photo of Julia child from ABC News)
Monday, August 29, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
For Sale: Mondrian Style Folding Footrest Ottoman Bench - SOLD
This ottoman/footstool is done in wonderful corduroy material. The edges are done in a chocolate brown cloth, with the top done in a Mondrian-inspired patchwork of white, sky blue, orange, red, green and lime.
Auction ends August 29th.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Nelson Ball Clock: A classic design, but did Nelson really design it?
Courtesy of Herman Miller...Here is a Youtube video of an audio-only interview with George Nelson, talking about how the Ball Clock was designed.
The name-dropping is fantastic, with Nelson talking about "Bucky" and "Noguchi".
But...who really designed the ball clock?
Listen. And find out (maybe)...
Friday, August 19, 2011
What's More Retro Than...The Christmas Tree Color Wheel
As part of a new series I'm starting today (and likely won't continue due to neglect on my part) I'd like to offer an occasional focus on some of the cultural icons many of us associate with the mid-century.
Today's topic: the Christmas tree color wheel.
Yes, I know. If I wanted to cover this, I should have started with the aluminum Christmas tree first. But I've already given this topic great thought (about 4 minutes) and I'm on a roll.
It was during the 50's when America first harvested the aluminum Christmas tree. This renewable resource (heavy on the Al...light on the C) meant most families could easily, quickly and needle-less-ly put up their Christmas tree in minutes. By the end of dad's first Manhattan, the tree would be up and ready to decorate.
Oh...but wait. What do you decorate an aluminum tree with? Traditional Christmas lights are, well, electric. Perhaps it's not a good idea to string a tall metal structure with electrified wire.
So, American ingenuity comes around to save the day with: the color wheel. Lots of colored lights? Just 4...so...I guess...check! Will it make our tree all pretty and colorful? Check. But NOT dangerously close to contacting large metal objects? Check check.
And from that day forward, the color wheel became almost de rigueur (fancy talk for "you better have one") for the aluminum tree family.
As a result, plenty of companies made these wonderful color wheels: Renown, Penetray, Holly Time, Imperial, Peerless, Spartus...well, you get the idea. Lots of companies, making roughly the same color wheel design: small motor, axle, wheel, colored plastic. But that wasn't a problem, since just about everyone wanted one. As long as it rotated and had different colors, it was all good.
But there was one color wheel that stood out from the crowd. And by stood out, I mean it was completely different, it broke the mold, it was...revolutionary (in more ways than one).
Why, you ask, was this one so dang special? Well, not only was it a color wheel for your tree, it also:
Perfect! It not only saved valuable near-the-tree real estate for even more precious Xmas booty, it also did double-duty by playing Christmas songs when you turned it on!
Today, these very hard-to-find color wheels can command rather high prices. They used to go into the 7- to 8-bill range pretty easily, but one can be had (if you can find one) for about $150-$300, depending on condition and condition of the box (if there still is one), but truly "mint"-y ones can still command high prices. So, thankfully, you don't need to run a meth lab to afford a decent one.
Today, you can find the more traditional color wheels on eBay and other sites, usually for under a hundred bucks, plus the traditional design is still being made, and more-or-less to the original design.
Then again, you could take the route of getting a newer color wheel: the LED color wheel.
But personally, if you're going to go through all the trouble of putting up an aluminum Christmas tree, you might as well go all the way and get the real thing. These new, high-tech lights really can't do your tree justice as well as a great 50's-designed color wheel.
Today's topic: the Christmas tree color wheel.
Yes, I know. If I wanted to cover this, I should have started with the aluminum Christmas tree first. But I've already given this topic great thought (about 4 minutes) and I'm on a roll.
It was during the 50's when America first harvested the aluminum Christmas tree. This renewable resource (heavy on the Al...light on the C) meant most families could easily, quickly and needle-less-ly put up their Christmas tree in minutes. By the end of dad's first Manhattan, the tree would be up and ready to decorate.
Oh...but wait. What do you decorate an aluminum tree with? Traditional Christmas lights are, well, electric. Perhaps it's not a good idea to string a tall metal structure with electrified wire.
 |
| "Electric lights? On this? Maybe I should stand in a bucket of water, too." |
So, American ingenuity comes around to save the day with: the color wheel. Lots of colored lights? Just 4...so...I guess...check! Will it make our tree all pretty and colorful? Check. But NOT dangerously close to contacting large metal objects? Check check.
And from that day forward, the color wheel became almost de rigueur (fancy talk for "you better have one") for the aluminum tree family.
As a result, plenty of companies made these wonderful color wheels: Renown, Penetray, Holly Time, Imperial, Peerless, Spartus...well, you get the idea. Lots of companies, making roughly the same color wheel design: small motor, axle, wheel, colored plastic. But that wasn't a problem, since just about everyone wanted one. As long as it rotated and had different colors, it was all good.
 |
| "I don't care who made it, as long as it doesn't burn the house down." |
But there was one color wheel that stood out from the crowd. And by stood out, I mean it was completely different, it broke the mold, it was...revolutionary (in more ways than one).
 |
| The Holy Grail of Christmas color wheels |
Why, you ask, was this one so dang special? Well, not only was it a color wheel for your tree, it also:
- was the tree stand
- played music!
Perfect! It not only saved valuable near-the-tree real estate for even more precious Xmas booty, it also did double-duty by playing Christmas songs when you turned it on!
Today, these very hard-to-find color wheels can command rather high prices. They used to go into the 7- to 8-bill range pretty easily, but one can be had (if you can find one) for about $150-$300, depending on condition and condition of the box (if there still is one), but truly "mint"-y ones can still command high prices. So, thankfully, you don't need to run a meth lab to afford a decent one.
 |
| Typical shopping list of anyone finding a mint wheel with box on eBay |
Today, you can find the more traditional color wheels on eBay and other sites, usually for under a hundred bucks, plus the traditional design is still being made, and more-or-less to the original design.
Then again, you could take the route of getting a newer color wheel: the LED color wheel.
 |
| Perfect for sucking out all the Christmas spirit from your aluminum tree |
But personally, if you're going to go through all the trouble of putting up an aluminum Christmas tree, you might as well go all the way and get the real thing. These new, high-tech lights really can't do your tree justice as well as a great 50's-designed color wheel.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
For Sale: Vintage McCobb Inspired Mid Century Modern Desk Lamp - SOLD
When you love a designer from the mid-century, but you just don't have the funds to get the real thing, items that are "influenced" or "in the manor of" that designer can sometimes become rather attractive.Case in point: this eye-catching not-McCobb desk lamp. It looks rather similar to McCobb's model 2010 lamp, but I doubt very much that this is a McCobb...just done "in the manor" of McCobb.
It also doesn't cost $3600...the going price for the 2010!
Auction starts Thursday night, August 18th.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Mid-Century Modern Haiku
To my 670
Like a catchers mitt
comfort, leather, inviting
A fifties home run
Kudos to anyone who knows what I'm talking about.
So...do YOU have any MCM haiku to contribute?
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Findings: mystery Danish Modern pottery piece. Can you identify it?
Quite some time ago, I acquired this rather interesting piece of pottery.I had the piece in storage for some time, and finally decided to break it out and display it again.
First of all, I LOVE this piece, and would never think of parting with it.
I love the colors in the glaze, the look it has of three flasks merging and melting together into a single piece, the tiny openings at the top for some newly-budding flowers.
Heck, there's nothing that I don't love about it.
OK, there is one thing. I have ZERO idea of where it came from. I am assuming its a Danish Modern piece, but for all I know it was a K-Mart blue light special. 
There are the remnants of a foil paper label on the bottom, but all that's left is some paper backing, and a bit of the corner, which seems to indicate that the label had a silver border and a black background.
So...here it is. Anyone have any idea where it came from? Who made it? Not interested in value...just lineage.
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