MCM Facebook This Week – November 1st, 2015

This past week Kyle Miller posted a photo of his lovely, Evansville, Indiana designed by Ralph Robert Knapp in 1952. I’ve been waiting for someone from Evansville to post a photo of their MCM home as the area has its own unique take on the style which has been documented in the book, Unnoticed Modern: Discovering Lost Legacies of Midcentury Architecture in Evansville, Indiana If Kyle’s home is any indication of the MCM in the area it may be well worth a trip. A lovely home and family and thank you for sharing! Click here for the original post. Photo: Steadfast Media

We can all appreciate the photos and read about the classics of MCM design and architecture but nothing will compare to seeing and visiting them in person. Julian Allen was kind enough to take us on a tour of the Miller House when he shared these photos from his recent visit. The Miller House is a masterpiece of American Modernism. Located in Columbus, Indiana it was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1951 and is now open to tours. Everyone I know who has visited all say the same thing – it’s is even more impressive in person. Seeing these photos shared by Julian made me realize I need to visit so I’m planning a visit this coming May, who wants to meet me there? Thanks for sharing Julian! Click here for the original post.

Always great to see a classic found ‘in the wild’ Ace Thompson posted this ‘Cyclone’ (model 312) dining table designed by Isamu Noguchi and first produced by Knoll in 1955. It’s a wonderful table but it’s also one of those designs that makes me wonder what happened to ‘design’. The ‘Cyclone’ table, in the most elegant and simple way, is both sculpture and functional object. It is an enduring design that has earned its label ‘icon’. It would seem that designers don’t create things as well thought out as this anymore. And while so many reasons are given – costs, sustainability, and market needs – these all ring hollow as lazy excuses. Oh well, Knoll still make this table so we still have that. Thanks for sharing Ace! Click here for the original post.

Why here’s a lovely find! Allyson McKnight posted this Hans Brattrud-designed ‘Scandia’ dining table and chairs made in Norway in the 1960’s. She posted with the question, “Drab or fab?”, and I’m pretty sure the comment responses were overwhelmingly on the ‘Fab’ side! (with a few claiming it might be a knock off, by I’m leaning that it’s the real deal). It’s a fabulous design and it’s one of those things that collectors of usable objects should keep an eye out for. Objects like this table and chairs are often well-made and designed to last and can be put through the rigors of daily use. It’s a definitely a fab find Allyson and thanks for sharing! Click here for the original post.

Thomas F Brunton posted this photo of his sofa and when I saw it I assumed he was proudly showing us his ‘Minerva’ sofa designed by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen and manufactured by France & Son of Denmark in 1960. However, upon reading the description he, in fact, wanted to know who the sofa was designed/mad by. Sometimes I forget that what may seem obvious to some may be a complete mystery to others. The MCM Facebook group is not filled with ‘experts’ (in fact I’d be very wary of anyone claiming to be) but it is simply folks who like and appreciate the era and style and are just looking to learn a bit about it. I hope that now knowing, Thomas, that your sofa is a Danish Modern Danish classic makes it just a bit more special, not that that it needed it as it was special to begin with! Thanks for sharing. Click here for the original post.

What a great space. And it’s a space that has been done with just enough to make it work. Kiki Intile posted this photo of her dining room of her 1961 New Jersey split level home. What I personally like about the space is the mixing of elements, the natural wood, the monochromatic Eames seating, and the glorious piece of ceiling jewelry. These items combine in a way to make a room that both glamorous and comfortable. Also, there is little finer than fireside dining. Again, a great space and thanks for sharing Kiki. Click here for the original post.

I always enjoy a good before and after photo and I find this one shared by Frank Canzolino to be a particular good example. Frank found a pair of Plycraft lounge chairs and what may have looked like a lost cause to some looked to Frank like something that simply needed a good cleaning – and he was right. Part of the art of successful collecting – meaning good items for fair prices – is knowing how much work a piece may need. Often, a chair, like the one in the before photo, may look like it needs to be completely redone and that’s always a great negating point, especially if all it needs is a good cleaning. So always keep an eye out for the ‘ugly ducklings’ as they are often the best finds! Thanks for sharing Frank. Click here for the original post.

Kurt Fedie posted this photo of his refinished, classic Adrian Pearsall chair manufactured by Pearsall’s company Craft Associates in the early 1960’s. The exuberance in a Pearsall design so wonderfully reflects the optimism of the era and is in essence pure American Mid Century Modern. There are detractors of Pearsall’s designs but there are few who could look upon this chair and not appreciated its… well, joy! Ordinarily I would say one should give a chair like this a brighter material but it works beautifully in grey as well. Thanks for sharing Kurt. Click here for the original post.

Another great Halloween standout post was this one from Capri Rasmussen. Capri’s husband, taking his creative cue from a splendid – and curious – piece of Danish pottery and created this jack-o-lantern worthy of the CLAY Keramikmuseum! It was also one of the most ‘liked’ posts this past week. And I share in that sentiment but I not only like but I love things like this, it clever, fun and, not to mention, probably an idea I’m going to steal come next year’s Halloween! Thanks for sharing Capri! Click here for the original post.

Halloween came and went this past week and frankly I was a little surprised that there weren’t more Halloween posts. But of those that were posted a couple were standouts. Kelsey Burns posted this photo of her and her husband and even without saying who it is I think most in the group would have gotten that their costume this year was Charles and Ray Eames. Absolutely fabulous! But, let’s not leave just yet, that looks like one awesome home you have with some lovely things! All around great photo and thanks for sharing. Click here for the original post.