The Mid-Century Modernist

We moved!

2010-06-15T23:16:13-07:00

This feed is now discontinued. A newly remodeled Mid-Century Modernist is at the same web address, but the new RSS feed is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/mid-mod . Update your readers!

Flip Clocks Inspired by the Solari Dator 5

2010-05-31T14:19:16-07:00

This is a BT637 calendar clock by Pierre Bodet, produced in the ’70s. Here’s the patent (PDF). It sold on eBay today for nearly $400.

This tasty bit of eye candy for flip clock fetishists brought to my attention the piece that was probably its inspiration: the Dator 5 designed by Gino Valle and manufactured by Solari Udine in the mid- to late ’60s. Here’s one in blue:

And as luck would have it, a generous Dutchman, Raymond Van Orsoy de Flines, has published video of the Dator 5 and its dateless cousin, the Cifra 5, in action. Witnessing all the noisy mechanics whir as it changes from one month to the next only makes my lust for this marvel grow deeper.

There are more followers of Valle’s design in production today, including this wide range by Homeloo, but they clearly lack the spirit of the Solari Dator 5 or even the Bodet model.

Here's another beautiful example of a Bodet flip clock (I think), this one with months in English. I’ve lost the eBay link, unfortunately. If you have it, please let me know and I’ll credit the photos.

Finally, Adam Dorrell shot the innards of his Dator 5, noting the leap year function and blithely commenting, "This is why it's great. No one would make a clock like this today. It would be cheaper to use ICs and a clock chip."

Solari is still a key producer of those fantastic split-flap displays seen in railway stations and airports. In fact, such displays are often called “Solari boards”. Thanks to Luke McKenzie for the info, who notes:

Sadly, like most mechanical things that are awesome to behold, they easily fall into disrepair, and reliable, versatile, dull electronic signs are driving them to extinction.

ES 102 Intermediate Swivel Arm Chair by Eames

2010-04-20T23:15:04-07:00

A member of our Flickr group submitted his latest acquisition, and it’s a humdinger: an ES 102 Intermediate Swivel Arm Chair. This is an Eames design I’d never seen before. A close relative of the Executive Chair, the ES 102 office chair was born in 1968 but discontinued five years later due to “high production costs”.

A look at the complex intersection of the arm and side rail may explain why. Still, it’s a lovely thing with a much lighter feeling than the Executive. Romesh’s shot showcases the unique frame beautifully.

A fine specimen of the Intermediate Chair is now available on eBay.

Steve McQueen: LIFE Publishes 20 Never-Seen Photos

2010-03-23T15:29:14-07:00

This shot of Steve McQueen posted by LIFE this week is the first image that has ever made me want to have a gun.

But really, I’d rather have his pad.

Found via Maury Postal

Flickr Pic of the Week: Danish Modern Slat Table

2010-03-08T08:15:00-08:00

M. Freeland of Los Angeles submitted this shot of her living room to our group years ago, but I just ran across it again and feel compelled to publish it here. This piece is such a graceful combination of the Danish classic coffee table and slat table. Anyone seen another like it?

Update: May 1, 2010 — If you’re in the Bay Area, you can pick up this table right now. Jacob Zukerman spotted a nice one, along with a matching side table at Midcentury Modern Finds. They also ship.

Modern Handmade Deckchairs from Gallant and Jones

2010-03-05T22:12:33-08:00

Gallant & Jones of Vancouver make their beautifully simple deck chairs from black walnut and 100% acrylic fabric for years of use at the beach, park, or concert. Two models, one with pillow and removable fabric.

Flickr Pic of the Week: Broyhill Desk & Dresser

2010-02-01T08:08:00-08:00

This blog rarely delves into the 1970s, but Flickr group member Jessica.Nicole’s yellow Broyhill desk and dresser against an equally bold green wall was striking enough to cross us into that decade. A quartet of Planetron and Weltron 8-track players complete the journey.

I can find very little on the web about this line of plastic Broyhill furniture. The company is known primarily for its wooden case goods and is a Dullsville, USA manufacturer these days.

Update: Feb 1, 2010 — Jessica writes with more info about the set:

The desk and dresser were part of a bedroom set. I have another dresser that is short and wide and one night stand. They are all wood except for the yellow drawer fronts, which are plastic, and the legs on the desk are metal. I really wish I had more information on them, but I haven't found much.

Unhappy Hipsters Blog Pokes Fun at Dwell Photography

2010-01-28T14:17:09-08:00

“Ever the realist, he built his table for one.” — Unhappy Hipsters

A new blog has arisen, and it’s brilliant. Yes, you can love every interior and still chuckle at every caption. Author, reveal yourself! Perhaps it’s a Dwell editor letting off steam. Perhaps it’s the photographer himself. Either way — speaking for modern design freaks — I condone taking ourselves less seriously.

“Eames, Aalto — her most significant relationships were with dead designers.” — Unhappy Hipsters

The sofa is by Mark Goetz, who is very much alive, but the joke is still funny.

Flickr Pic of the Week: Saarinen Chairs at Rose Hall

2010-01-26T20:57:51-08:00

“Rose Hall now/then”, recently submitted to our photo group by uwgb admissions

And another great "then and now" shot from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay campus:

G. Coles-Christensen Launches Desi: Hand Woven, Socially Responsible, Modern Rugs Online

2010-01-14T10:55:05-08:00

Desi is a new brand of contemporary carpets that are quite at home in mid-century modern interiors. Pictured: Tent Rocks.

I haven’t really written about rugs and flooring on the blog because, frankly, I hadn’t found anything worthy of living under an Eames chair or Juhl coffee table. Unless you’re going the eclectic route, oriental rugs are generally out of order for modern design. And rugs with contemporary styling are often made by machines, using bleached and synthetic fabrics. They are mass-produced and they look that way.

Of course there are always corners of the world where one can find handmade modern carpets sold by dealers who are not middlemen, but advocates of quality design and high ethics.

One example of this kind of merchant is Gary Coles-Christensen, whose store in Santa Fe, New Mexico offers original, one-of-a-kind designs along with antique pieces. Gary has a relationship with each carpet. He knows the source of the material as well as the lives of the craftspeople who weave the products by hand. His operation has an integrity of design and production akin to that of the mid-century modern movement.

Until now, you had to visit Santa Fe to soak up his collection. Not anymore. This week Gary launched Desi, a new brand with an online shop where you can browse and buy rugs online. Desi offers designs by Y Murata, Todd Scalise, Victoria Price, and Gary himself. The product showings are accompanied with personal descriptions from Gary along with his charming pen and ink drawings inspired by his trips to historical weaving capitals of the world like Turkey, Morocco, and India. In a move that breaks from high design tradition, every rug is in stock and available for purchase and delivery via PayPal.

Desi is an unabashedly modern collection, alternately making use of clean spartan forms and organic, asymmetrical patterns derived from nature. Because the rugs are hand woven with unbleached fibers, they have an irregular, natural quality that would suit a mid-century modern home. All are durable enough to last a lifetime. Here are some of my favorites:

Digitopolis and Fenice

T Monk and M Davis

Ishi, Ocean and Bonn, Moor

Calder and Welt

Social responsibility is also central to Gary’s business. He served on the RugMark Board of Directors and every Desi carpet carries the GoodWeave label, certifying that it was woven without the use of child labor.

Full disclosure: Gary is my brother-in-law, so inevitably there is some bias in this post. But at least you know I can personally vouch for the quality of his stuff. I visit his store at least once a year so I’ve seen and touched the rugs. I even have one in my home. Don’t be afraid to hit him up with questions. He knows his stuff and is happy to chat about how they’re made or which design is right for your home.

See more about the launch of Desi on my personal blog.