MCM Facebook This Week – October 2, 2015

New member Alvin Sim posted photos of his pop pad this past week to a wonderful reception. His home is filled with op, pop, and plastic fantastic items like this bar cart / coffee table made by Curver of France in the 1960’s and which Alvin’s used brilliantly here as a display for some smaller items. Colorful, shiny, and even irreverent 1960’s and 1970’s ‘pop’ designs are often derided for their seeming nonsensical nature but at the time the use of plastics in furniture making – particularly in Europe – offered designers a freedom to create new shapes and exciting – often futuristic – forms that were previously impossible. It may surprise some that this brief and bold period of design is my favorite and items like Alvin’s bar cart here always make me smile. Thanks for sharing! Click here to see the original post.

Another post from a new member that received a great reception this past week were the photos shared by Meneo Bando of his home. Shown here is his bedroom with its fantastic mix of Scandinavian Modern, classic American Modern, and a healthy dose Americana! Meneo lives in Japan and in fact we have quite a few Japanese members in the group and while some may prefer European Modern many are very much drawn to classic 1950’s American Modern design. And it shows just how appealing these designs are and how they transcend age and culture. Quite a few of these collectors of Americana are also in Japan’s fascinating Rockabilly scene and it’s something I’ve always wanted to check out – they know their MCM! Thank you for sharing Meneo and look forward to future posts! Click here for the original post.

We’ve all been in the situation where we have to fit 50 gallons of awesome into a 30 gallon trunk but it seems Jess Sturtevant had no such issue getting this amazing chair into the back of his van. Recently acquired at an estate sale Jess made the joke that he got it for 25 dollars but of course, as he said in his post, he paid a touch more than that for it. We all love a bargain and it seems every day someone posts an unbelievably great deal to the MCM Facebook group. However, we all have ‘bucket list’ items that we are not likely to get for a few dollars and we have to pay more if we truly want it. As is often the case we will enjoy having the object much more than we will miss the money spent for it. No one wants to overpay for anything but, with a bit of homework and if you’re comfortable with the price then it is not going to be worth any less than you are willing to pay for it. Thanks for sharing Jess and for addressing the ‘Should I buy it’ posts with civility and humor. Click here for the original post.

Every now and then a post will come along and it will just stick to the top of the timeline generating likes and comments for a few days and one such post was this chair posted by Katie Tuohy Rochford. I don’t know what this chair is. If I were guessing I’d say it might be one by the California-based company Sherman Bertram (something about that nubby fabric). But, that being said, what it is is not important in this case as it’s just a fun chair that could not be more evocative of mass market American Modern. This was the Modern most people knew and it has as much right to share the MCM stage as any George Nelson or Eames piece. This chair, with its exaggerated wingback and highly stylized form, screams exuberance and optimism. It’s industry at play. Thanks for sharing Katie! Click here for the original post.

Certainly one of the most popular posts this past week was Kate Monachos home which she and her husband just purchased. Designed by John Randal McDonald this Mid Century Modern gem, located south of Milwaukee, features a marvelous ‘bow’ terrace and cheerful trim colors. Kate asked in her post if she could get a round of applause for saving the pink. I think she’s due that at least. But I’d also like to offer a round of applause for Kate’s saving the whole house. Too many of these beautiful homes get torn down, even today when more people are aware of the importance of the architecture and design of period. So yes, Kate, a big round of applause for saving this one. It’s a fabulous home and I hope you get to enjoy many, many happy years in it. Thanks for sharing! Click here for the original post.

Definitely would like to congratulate Stacey Lukas for the beautiful transformation of this Midwest MCM gem. Stacey spent a year fixing up her home and I was very pleased that the group, through suggestions and encouragement (we need more of that), helped here achieve such a wonderful result. Looking through the photos there is so much skill on display. The colors chosen for the exterior are modern but absolutely perfect for the style of the home and make the red door pop, making it the focal point as it should be. The landscaping is contemporary but is a perfect compliment to the home. With so much attention to detail the results are a house that not only easily suits today’s needs but a home that will continue to do so in the hands someone who respects and admires the style. Well done Stacey and thank you for sharing! Click here for the original post.

Here’s a corner to melt into. Justin Scarbrough posted this lovely image of his ‘AP 19’ chair – the Papa Chair – designed by Hans Wegner and first produced by A.P. Stolen of Denmark in 1950. There is just something about this image. The deep color of the wall, the green of the chair that hovers somewhere between viridian and kelly, and the nice touch of some baby’s breath in a vase on a perfect little table. A fabulous tableau that’s very appealing. Some people find the proportions of the Papa Chair a bit ungainly but in this light and at this angle you can easily see what Wegner was aiming for with this design – which is as I’ve already said – a place to curl up and melt into. Marvelous chair Justin and thanks for sharing. Click here for the original post.

There is just something great about seeing a flock of Eames shell chairs together. Lori Woods McEvoy posted this photo of a stash of 16 Eames shell chairs her husband found – and it was quite a nice trove! When people post great finds like this the tenor of many of the comments is one of friendly frustration in that, “why can’t I find stuff like this” vein. And true, we don’t often walk into a thrift store and find a dozen minty Eames chairs lying about but it’s the hope that we will that drives us as collectors, pickers, and dealers. Everyone who collects has a great find story and, from my experience, it will not be their last. We all will continue finding great finds and posts like Lori’s only serve as edification. Thanks for sharing Lori. Click here for original post.

You don’t need boat load of money to transform a space and Mark Bianco’s post of his marvelous home proves just that. Natural light and positioning are free. When you look at the before and after photos of this room the one might be inclined to think that they cannot be the same room. By simply removing a few items and letting the light the room goes chaotic to glorious. A good lesson with this post is being judicious with what pieces in your collection you wish to showcase. For most of us it is simply not possible to display everything and any attempt to do so creates disorder where the beauty of the individual pieces are lost in the clutter. What Mark has done here allows me to see the great pieces he has and the room looks complete and welcoming. Nicely done Mark and thanks for sharing! Click here for the original post.

Just lovely. Do I need to say more than that about Max Mcdonald’s post? Everything works – the colors of the ceramic pieces, the teal and teak of the chair, and the vibrant blue/green of the lamp balanced with the perfect neutral shade. Perfect objects for the perfect perch, which in this case is an American of Martinsville dresser. There is a lot to like about this post. First of all the composition, not just of the photo, but of the objects themselves show a skilled hand. But what I like about this the most is that this striking ensemble of objects are not that expensive to acquire. Anyone one on just about any budget can pull together a stunning MCM look. Granted, some pieces have gone up with the advent of the Mad Men crowd but there are still many lovely affordable items out there waiting for you! Beautifully done, Max, and thanks for sharing! Click here for the original post.