Mid-century
Someday, I Will Own an Authentic Eames Lounge...Until Then, This Will Do Just Fine.
By Chrisjob
The Eames Lounge (670) and Ottoman (671) set by Herman Miller is, to me, not only the most iconic piece of mid-century design, but the most perfect piece of furniture. Ever. And a new one in cherry or walnut start at $3,000, and a 50th anniversary chair in Santos Palisander rosewood starts at about $4,500, with authentic vintage chairs fetching that much or more.
My new-to-me Frank Doerner copy, on the other hand, cost me just over $100. I ju » READ MORE
Make an Alexander Girard 'Heart' Valentine
By DIY Maven
Show the mid-mod lover in your life how much you love them with my Girard-inspired Valentine! Here's what you'll need to make one:
- black card stock and white card stock (my card is 4.25" x 5.5", when folded)
- red light-weight card stock or construction paper
- cutting mat
- craft knife
- scissors
- adhesive of your choice
First, » READ MORE
My List of Daily Modern Goodness
By PlastoluxFor my last post here on Curbly, I though I might share my daily haunts with you. There are so many great blogs and websites out there that highlight the modern aesthetic, and these are a few that keep me inspired. Hopefully, some of these will be new to you.
There are several Flickr groups that are actively posting great inspirational pictures
Mid-Century Home Brochures and Ephemera
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Mid-Century Modern Home: Too Perfect or Too Much?
By DIY Maven
This home in the Hancock Park area of LA has been used for a numerous photography and film shoots. Most recently, it starred as Annette Benning's home in 'Running with Scissors'. The house has five bedrooms, an open floor plan and a pool--complete with a cabana. Sold in 1997 to gossip columnist Janet Charlton, the home was again listed in '07 for just under 3 million. What sets it apart from many homes we've seen is it hasn't been 'seasoned' wi » READ MORE
Have Yourself a Very Vintage Valentine
By DIY Maven
Is your lover a lover of all things mid-century? If so, these little gems just might make her/him swoon. First up are a set of 2 ruby-red aluminum martini glasses from Betty's Attic. Just 10 bucks for the pair and you and your boo will be sipping in style.
Also from Betty's Attic is this aluminum pitcher. It's 7.75" high x 5.5" in diameter and a measl » READ MORE
Playboy Magazine, July 1961 (MCM Masters)
By DIY Maven
Do you recognize any of these men? Here's a hint: Curbly pays homage to three of them in Make It! Mid-Century Modern. Here's another hint: Take note of the objects they're sitting in/photographed next to. From » READ MORE
Curbly Giveaway: Win One of Five Free Copies of Make It! Mid-Century Modern
By ChrisjobAll it takes is two quick mouse clicks... Don't miss out! The deadline is Sunday, January 31st, at 11:59 pm.
First, read what folks are saying about Make It! Mid-Century Modern.
Then, enter yourself to win one of five free copies!
To enter, just do two things:
- First, RSVP as "attending" to the giveaway event on Facebook.
- Second, just be sure you're a fan on the Curbly Facebook Page.
That's it! The contest ends at 11:59p on Sunday, » READ MORE
Modern Remodels - Do you have what it takes to do it yourself?
By PlastoluxOne of my favorite things to share online is a good old modern remodel. Sure, we all love to stare at the million dollar homes, but in reality, those are just eye candy for most of us. And eye candy or not, there are a lot of blogs out there of people documenting their modern remodel projects. Here are a few remodels I really like:
COOP15
» READ MOREHow To: Cuttin' Glass and Taking Names
By PlastoluxEver looked at a wine bottle to admire its shape, color, or translucent qualities?
These features shouldn't go to waste in the recycling bin. Here's a fun how-to that can reuse and transform wine bottles into something REALLY worth eyeballing.
Get all the info and tools for this killer DIY project after the jump:
Mid-Century Modern Blog of the Week: The Vintage Life.
By ChrisjobDave and Rebecca from The Vintage Life started the blog, in their own words, to "share our passion for living the vintage lifestyle. From the home we own and fill with 1950 and 1960s items to our vintage camper and boat, we are proud to be vintage through and through. Join us on our vintage journey, so far it has been a great ride."
Over the last few days, they've been featuring a series of vintage postcards they found in an now-closed antique store in Columbus, WI.
Please Welcome Guest Blogger: Tyler Goodro
By ChrisjobIn honor of Mid-Century Modern Month, we've invited modernist Tyler Goodro of Plastolux.com to share his thoughts on how contemporary movements in design can help you love where you live. Tyler will be with us the whole week, of January 25 - 31, so check out his thoughts and feel free to comment and exchange ideas, then head over to Plastolux to see the goodies he's been posting there for the last few years.
A bit about Tyler's background from » READ MORE
Curbly Giveaway : Win a Free Copy of Make It! Mid-Century Modern
By ChrisjobFriends of Curbly - We're giving away five free copies of our latest publication - Make It! Mid-Century Modern.
Make It! is our new series of how-to print/PDF manuals! In our first issue we show you how to make your own mid-century modern design masterpieces. These twelve of the MCM-inspired how-to projects will show you how to make a Calderiffic Mobile, Eames-embroidered napkins, a fantastic Girard-ish ottoman and more!.
Each article includes » READ MORE
The Tulip Table with a Twist!
By ChrisjobThere's a whole heap of Tulip tables copies out there, but this one adds...well, a twist.
"The organic contour of the Twist Stem dining table finished in an alluring yet practical black high gloss and is large enough to seat 6-8 people. The graceful curve of the table’s support is more than just a decorative feature. Beginning with a broad footprint and rising to a fine stem, it provides a firm, stable base with plenty of legroom. So, for a dining table with a twist, try this imaginative and beautifully designed piece of furniture." » READ MORE
Salt & Pepper Bots
By Chrisjob
"Hey, Chris, can you please pass the salt?"
"Why, of course. Just allow me to wind it up for you."
At least, that's what I WOULD say, if I snagged myself a pair of these Salt & Pepper Bots. "[These] condiments have come to life! They will waddle wherever you tell them to,so the next time someone wants the pepper, wind up the key, and pepper they shallhave! Mercilessly marching towards them like the terminator, more of a threat to dull
tastes than the human race." » READ MORE
Plan 59 - Retro Illustration Resource
By Chrisjob 
Plan 59 is an online museum and gift shop of mid-century illustrations and art. Full of vintage advertising images, sales literature, and just plain old retro art, it's the kind of place in which you can get lost for hours. They even have a collection entitled "Decor" where you can resource and get inspiration for your own mid-century spaces.
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A very mid-century modern Valentine.
By DIY Maven
Hearts. How very country, no? No. In fact, hearts were very big in the mid-century. Even Alexander Girard jumped on the peace train and took inspiration from the folksy heart and gave it a bold and playful mid-mod twist. You can add some Girard love to your space with the help of Urban Outfitters. The International Love Pillow (pictured above) features the word for 'love' in 19 different languages and measures a generous 17" square. » READ MORE
Retro-Styled Armchairs from Bo Concept
By ChrisjobAmish-made gliding rocking chairs are super comfortable, will last years, and no matter how hard you try, will never match any contemporary decor.
But rocking is fun, even for modernists! For a softer version than the standard Eames Rocker, check out this one from Bo Concept:
Mid-Century Modern Melamine
By DIY Maven
Eames, George Nelson, Alexander Girard. Three designers profiled in Curbly's Make It! Mid-Century Modern who are also celebrated with these designs from Vitra. » READ MORE
Elvis's Mid-Mod Hideaway
By DIY Maven
Elvis's mid-mod digs is a far cry from Graceland. Located in Las Vegas, the home was actually owned by the International Hotel (later The Hilton Hotel). It was the rest stop for entertainers that frequented the strip. Entertainers like Dean Martin and, yes, Elvis. Because of the King's occupation, the house became known as 'The Elvis House'. A few years back, when the hous » READ MORE
Becky's Mondrian/Partridge Family Afghan
By DIY Maven
WHAT, you might ask, does a mid-century artist of Mondrian's magnitude have to do with a 70's sit-com? Well, the Partridge family bus just happened to be painted in the unmistakeable Mondrian style. As far as this unlikely union producing an afghan offspring, that Becky's doing. She started with a pattern at Lion Brand, changed some colors and sizes, and then got busy crocheting. Done in the Tunisian stitch, the outcome is quite remarkable.