As you can see, website under major construction. Here’s a fellow MCM writers beautiful feature of a Cliff May Long Beach Ranch Home. LOVED IT, and had to share it. Thanks, Rebecca!
Month: August 2013
Kitchen Ideas from Houzz.com
Now that the living rooms are pretty much “decorated” and done, I can turn my focus to other projects. We live in a 20-year old home that has done pretty well to retain it’s new-ish look…well, all except for the kitchen cabinets which are like going back in time. Simply put, they’re a dated dead-giveaway. The rest of my house is just so with regard to design, but that’s entirely intentional. I love mid-century modern decor and that’s evident when you walk in. A large scale renovation really isn’t in the cards, unless someone at Houzz.com decides to pick me up as a staff blogger. I’m no negative Nelly, but let’s be realistic here: that’s so not going to happen.
Until then, I’ll be dreaming, and building my kitchen “ideabook” on Houzz.com. Here is a particularly inspiring blog featuring the favorite Kitchens of the Week for 2012. Do yourself a favor and open a Houzz.com account if you haven’t already. It’s free. You can find pictures that strike you, and save them to a folder of your own creation.
Bubble Lamp by George Nelson
You’ve probably seen it a few times before: The George Nelson bubble lamp. It’s Mid-Century Modern design at its absolute best. George Nelson was one of the quintessential leaders of the mid-century modernism movement. He and the Herman Miller furniture company teamed up to produce some of the time’s most iconic modern creations. Today, one can’t seem to escape the sight of the must-have bubble lamp. Despite its popularity, I feel that I too, MUST have one.
Three Nelson lamps in one entryway? Now that’s just greedy, that is!
As for me, I can picture a smallish or perhaps medium lamp gracing the ceiling above my tulip table creating a sort of mid-century zen vibe.
Suddenly, dinner would be guaranteed pleasant. My family and I would laugh as we enjoyed our always-delicious meals and shared our news of the day; never forgetting to pray first. Our 4-year-old wouldn’t interrupt as my husband and I exchanged adult pleasantries. He would patiently wait his turn to say something extremely mature and charming. Gone would be the days of chaotic meal arrangements, requests for t.v. during mealtime and talk of farting.
If you too, NEED a piece of cloud-like zen to come into your home, here’s the scoop on where you can find them:
Go to HiveModern.com. Prices range from “oh my God!” to “what did you just say to me? ”
In seriousness, newly purchased, these lamps are very reasonable for the functional and beautiful pieces of art that they really are. (Ahem: $200-500)
If you’d like to find an authentic vintage Nelson lamp, they too can be yours! Warning: buying vintage can be more expensive than buying new.
Hit up Etsy.com, Ebay.com, and Modernica to find more pricing and style options. May the zen be with you.
Discovering Re-covering – a DIY Project
The Danish Modern Chair Rescue Project is finished! For those of you new to the blog, a couple of weeks ago I scored a chair in need of some serious lovin’ for $5 at a garage sale. Then, I happily re-finished the wood. Follow me now, as I take you through a quick re-upholstering lesson.
Once again, here is the Danish Modern beauty in its rough original condition:
Before we move on, I’d like to stress to you just how uncomfortable I was with this project. I knew at some point, I’d have to walk into the dreaded Joann’s craft store. It’s like walking into BabiesRUs when you’ve never had a kid before; intimidating, and overwhelming. Why are there 20 different bottle nipples? No one knows. Similarly, Joann’s Fabrics makes me just as uncomfortable. Smug and talented homemakers standing around with their bolts of fabric and perusing craft books. There is an entire 2-sided aisle devoted to scissors. Here’s a little known fact: I’m not crafty. I never took Home Economics in school. I was much too busy playing volleyball and putting the smack down on my competitors to worry about girlie crap like sowing. Now that I’m a bit older, I wish I would have taken “HomeEc” and learned a few “girlie” things.
After seeing some of the really cool fabrics Joann’s had, I began to consider becoming a convert. How cool would it be to be able to make your own stuff….in the fabric/pattern/style of your choosing? Incredibly cool and empowering. I might just take a class in the near future. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!
Anyway…I knew what I was looking for after watching a YouTube video tutorial. I got in and out of there as quickly as possible. Here’s what I bought:
Okay…now that we have supplies…let’s get to the business.
(Drumroll please!)
Now that I’m done, this sweet little chair has been moved up to the guest room as an accent…and place for people to take their shoes off, or drape their clothes! What’s more, I was able to rescue a little piece of history and give it new life. Hooray! I have finally discovered the art of the re-cover, and I can’t wait for an opportunity to do it again!
Mystery Guests
The guestroom “re-deco” is finished, and I’m not sure which designer to thank. I recently found this headboard on Craigslist and decided to jump on it. I likened the guest room to a puzzle, and a headboard was the missing piece. This headboard listing read, “possibly Kent Coffey or Kroehler.” (Both mid-century big shots) Personally, it doesn’t matter to me who the maker is, it would just be fun to know the history behind this piece. I’ve looked, and I can’t find anything out there like it right now. My biggest thanks go to the seller for working with me on price, and my husband for driving to San Diego to pick up this treasure without complaint.
I selected this headboard for the following reasons: 1. It’s fab. 2. Price was right. 3. The swoops in the top match the drawer pulls on my night stands. Slightly psychotic, I know.
Before and After Shots:
Not a t.v. makeover, by any stretch, but it’s a cozier spot now in my humble opinion. I’m glad our tiny guest room is done, and that it’s ready to receive visitors. However mismatched and mysterious the pieces, I think it they alll came together pretty well.
Before I sign off, though I have one more fun piece of trivia for all those Crazy MCM’ers out there:
Who made this…..and have you ever seen anything like it? This is something I found on Etsy.com and the colors were too perfect a fit for my home to pass up:
The description read: ” Unbelievable mid-century modern atomic table lamp with gorgeous teal blue and green colors. This was created in a drip fashion. The interior has a wool-type burlap surround. In the style of Royal Haeger, though it is unmarked and a little more wild than their typical style. I have not found any information for this very elusive lamp on the internet.”
Also, there’s a tiny switch on the back of the lamp in addition to the one under the harp that indicates that the base may also have lit up at one time.
It’s so marvelous, it could only go one place…..on “Nana’s” credenza. I do believe when I was debating about the necessity of buying a third lamp for one room, my grandmother helped me decide . Usually I am a very frugal and practical gal. If I don’t really need whatever the item in question, I won’t get it. This lamp just grabbed me and stuck with me for days before I decided. When I finally came around and asked myself…”Geez..should I spring for it? Do I really want this?” My answer came swiftly and as if from someone else, “Does a bear shit in the woods?”
I heard you Nana. Loud and clear.
midcenturyobsession 