Mid-Century Modern Appreciation Thread

[barry2952]

My favorite is Troy McClure residing in a knockoff of the Chemosphere

I like the house where they held the MENSA meeting.

[synthsis]

added a ton of pics to my flickr stream from the Eames/LACMA exhibit.



they start about halfway down this page and go backwards:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joefultano/page3/

[barry2952]

I was born in early 1952. My parents were upper middle-class and had some disposable income that they spent furnishing their home in MCM furniture. This picture was taken in 1954 and is very deceiving. Many have said that I look like I'm 4 in the picture, while I was only a little over 2. That deception is two part. The scale of the Eames shell chairs is quite small, and I was quite tall for my age. I had a head start as I was 24" long at birth. I understand that that's pretty rare.

When my folks split up my mother got the chair. She seemed to move every six months and the chair got lost along the way. I have an original green shell, but no rocker base.

[Jerry_HEAVEN]

I'm in a little bit of help sourcing something for my Eames office armchair. I've got an old Eames armchair pictured just like the rocker chair above, but with the 4 office leg configuration. It used to have a soft loos cushion padding, but can't seem to find mine anywhere. Hadn't had any luck finding any place online that offers or even knows about this... anyone here might know?

[synthsis]

I'm in a little bit of help sourcing something for my Eames office armchair. I've got an old Eames armchair pictured just like the rocker chair above, but with the 4 office leg configuration. It used to have a soft loos cushion padding, but can't seem to find mine anywhere. Hadn't had any luck finding any place online that offers or even knows about this... anyone here might know?

post a picture for reference, I can look around.

[Jerry_HEAVEN]

mine looks almost like this except on caster wheels. Same Alex Girard fabric, but in orange.
I'm looking for that loose cushion piece preferably black, but any color should do. Thanks!

[synthsis]

seems like something any local furniture upholstery place can make for you pretty cheap. Plus, you could probably do a cool MCM fabric too if you wanted.

[RENOG]

I'm in a little bit of help sourcing something for my Eames office armchair. I've got an old Eames armchair pictured just like the rocker chair above, but with the 4 office leg configuration. It used to have a soft loos cushion padding, but can't seem to find mine anywhere. Hadn't had any luck finding any place online that offers or even knows about this... anyone here might know?

Super simple.
Know someone who sews really well?
Go to a fabric store choose your color, buy a pad, heck buy multiple pads since a person with the know how will be able to whip those out with no problem.

[RENOG]

More eye candy.....

Pasinetti House - Beverly Hills 1958 by Architect Haralamb Georgescu
















Quincy A Jones 1973 Holmby Hills Ca.

[Mars Noble]

yowzahs!

[Maggiolone]

The Chicago suburb of Lincolnwood has been awash in Mid-Century Modern up until very recently. An anomaly for a suburb that literally boarders the city, Lincolnwood was built for the upper middle-class in the mid-50's through early 70's (most other boarder suburbs are usually Victorian, and were filled up by 1955).

Purple Hotel












Sadly, many of these structures are actually endangered. The Purple Hotel has lain vacant for a few years, and developers are clamoring to replace it with mixed-use garbage.

A lot of new-money suburbanites are also replacing the original owners of these Mid-Century homes in Lincolnwood, and doing tear-downs, face-brick and all:

[GeoffD]

Personally, I see nothing redeeming about this particular house.

[synthsis]

Personally, I see nothing redeeming about this particular house.

a new set of entry doors, correct garage door, and eliminating all of those planters on the steps would go a long way to make that house more period appropriate.

[barry2952]

a new set of entry doors, correct garage door, and eliminating all of those planters on the steps would go a long way to make that house more period appropriate.

I don't care for bow windows, either. That would look much better with a couple of huge pieces of fixed glass.

[Preppy]

This has some major potential.

[Maggiolone]

This has some major potential.

That one actually looks to be in original shape. Barn Red/Redwood Red is a dead giveaway that an old-timer lives there, as most have been using that color for 50 years+ on their exterior wood trim and patio furniture. My grandparents and their friends/family we'd visit would use that color like they were paid to do so.

The faded blacktop driveway also is another clue the original owner might be occupying this one.

[Maggiolone]

More Lincolnwood gems:




My cousin's ex-bf actually lived in this complex above. Inside was the epitome of mid-60's luxury. Mirrors, high ceilings, suspended lanterns, and glitzy bathrooms in weird colors.

[RENOG]

a new set of entry doors, correct garage door, and eliminating all of those planters on the steps would go a long way to make that house more period appropriate.

Yeah that's the first thing that jumped out at me as well because those are the last things I need to do to my place. The previous owners had put in a new roll-up garage door (exactly like the house you quoted) and a goto Home Depot front door (exactly like the one in the picture but single not double) I loath them both greatly but at this time the money must go to so many other more important items, however the door will absolutely be the first to go once the funds become available. The garage door on the other hand, well because its pretty much brand spankin new and on the costly end of things to replace I will just have live with this one. One of my neighbors who have the same garage door simply removed the sunburst designs and replace the openings with clear windows, it looks sooooo much better, I will have to copy.

[RENOG]

Bump with some Palm Springs - 1950's Alexander (William & Krisel) eye candy goodness....

[RENOG]

Moar...

Entry divider that continues past the window giving the feeling of bringing the outdoors in.



Groovy in-wall fireplace

[RENOG]

and......

[synthsis]

I have a ton of pics from our Honeymoon when we spent a couple day in Palm Springs, I'll have to dig them up and post them.

[GeoffD]

Moar...

I get this Klingon warship image. I guess I'm channeling my inner geek.



Maybe it's because I live in the moist Northeast but I find that MCM plopped down in the desert on a flat lot with no green does nothing for me.

[Maggiolone]

Moar...

I love styled cinder blocks

[spockcat]

Maybe it's because I live in the moist Northeast but I find that MCM plopped down in the desert on a flat lot with no green does nothing for me.

You should see how "out of place" a typical 2 story colonial looks in Southern California or even Florida.

[RENOG]

Maybe it's because I live in the moist Northeast but I find that MCM plopped down in the desert on a flat lot with no green does nothing for me.

Yeah its not for everybody heck its not for most no matter the location, most all my friends are still lusting over McMansions and or have them and love them. Their reaction to my place is funny, although they all like it and feel that its cozy and comfy. Some comment that it reminds them of a log cabin because of the unpainted open post and beams / tongue and groove cellings, or imply that its to small or to old and granny for them...To each his own.

You should see how "out of place" a typical 2 story colonial looks in Southern California or even Florida.

Man forreal..

[synthsis]

just got a pretty much mint bathroom vanity delivered. it has original boomerang formica and came with a hamper that gets cut into the wall. it's pretty wild. I'll get pics up soon.

[GeoffD]

Yeah its not for everybody heck its not for most no matter the location, most all my friends are still lusting over McMansions and or have them and love them. Their reaction to my place is funny, although they all like it and feel that its cozy and comfy. Some comment that it reminds them of a log cabin because of the unpainted open post and beams / tongue and groove cellings, or imply that its to small or to old and granny for them...To each his own.

I like MCM. I just think that if you're doing walls of glass, it should be in a more private and soothing environment. Grass, trees, enough land to provide privacy, view and/or water features.



A tract house on a small lot in the desert with no grass or trees doesn't do anything for me.

One of the great things about MCM is that the houses are generally pretty small. I owned the big house once and swore I'd never do that again.

[RENOG]

I like MCM. I just think that if you're doing walls of glass, it should be in a more private and soothing environment. Grass, trees, enough land to provide privacy, view and/or water features.



A tract house on a small lot in the desert with no grass or trees doesn't do anything for me.

One of the great things about MCM is that the houses are generally pretty small. I owned the big house once and swore I'd never do that again.

The mountainous backdrop are gorgous though but I totally see what your saying. This is one of many reasons I like Eichlers so much, all the windows are in the back of the house as well as around the atrium. From the street you see nothing but the back of the house opens up. Nor Cal has the best surroundings as far as views are concerned for eichlers especially in Marin county, and Lucas Vally are second to none......

All in Lucas Valley

[GeoffD]

The mountainous backdrop are gorgous though but I totally see what your saying. This is one of many reasons I like Eichlers so much, all the windows are in the back of the house as well as around the atrium. From the street you see nothing but the back of the house opens up.

That's fine but not if you have a glass wall on the back of the house, 50 feet of land, a fence, and a house on the next lot with their glass wall that looks into yours.

In a house with that much glass, I want to be able to have sex on the living room sofa and not give my neighbors a show unless they have a good telescope. You need at least an acre and likely more than that to achieve that kind of privacy. ...or your back yard needs to abut conservation land, unbuildable wetlands, or similar green space.

[RENOG]

That's fine but not if you have a glass wall on the back of the house, 50 feet of land, a fence, and a house on the next lot with their glass wall that looks into yours.

In a house with that much glass, I want to be able to have sex on the living room sofa and not give my neighbors a show unless they have a good telescope. You need at least an acre and likely more than that to achieve that kind of privacy. ...or your back yard needs to abut conservation land, unbuildable wetlands, or similar green space.

That kinda land is not going to happen in California unless you have millions to spend.

Privacy, its nothing a good set of blinds cant handle and some nice Bamboo across the back of your fence. Keep in mind all these homes are flats, unless someone jump your fence no one will see you get your groove on. Trust me as many as I've been in their are many many ways to secure your privacy in a track of this sort while maintaing your views so its not that serious really.

[Maggiolone]

Chicago has a lot of institutions of higher education in MCM:

Northeastern University


University of Illinois at Chicago




Northwestern University (Prentice Hospital)


Loyola University Chicago

Sadly, good ol' Damen hall was torn down in 2010. I had many, many classes here. While some students lamented its "prison-like" simplicity, I loved the top floor lounge with its kitchenette intact from 1968.

Loyola Chicago Mertz hall

[mavric_ac]

[barry2952]

Excellent. The same can be said about Detroit. There is some amazing '50s and '60s architecture here.

[RENOG]

Chicago has a lot of institutions of higher education in MCM:

Northwestern University (Prentice Hospital)

Curious whats inside the hive looking portion of the building? That would surely catch my attention while walking down that street...