Harry Bertoia Artist

If you are into modern design such as in architecture, interiors, and furniture, then you probably have heard of Harry Bertoia. Of course, his most commonly seen object is his Diamond Chairs. Originally wire structures that harken to his love of metal work as in sculptures.       The Diamond Chairs come with solid…Continue reading Harry Bertoia Artist

Modern Floor Systems

Although not meant to detail every modernist floor system, this article will examine a few that I have personal experience with. One of the most admirable features of modernist interiors, in my opinion, is the flooring pervasive during the period of the mid-century.     Although one would suppose by many of the current ideas…Continue reading Modern Floor Systems

Panton’s Ikea Chair

In 1995, according to Ikea, Verner Panton designed a chair that has always struck me as an almost blatant disregard of the contemporary and a symbol of the strong advocacy of modernism. The Vilbert Chair is just such a symbol of modernist creativity and reduction of forms to only essential elements. Verner Panton (1926-1998) was…Continue reading Panton’s Ikea Chair

A Few Names from British Modernism

Especially if one lives out here in the southwestern United States, we take for granted that American modernism flourished in abundance, mainly in small and large offices, schools, churches, restaurants, and other commercial buildings. In residential architecture, quite a few developers and designers built communities on modernist principles, among these were Eichler and Haver. Among…Continue reading A Few Names from British Modernism

Can’t Afford Wall Art?

Sometimes a bare wall can be very depressing, especially if one can’t dole out large sums for original artwork. Many ideas come to mind that would cure the depression besides a trip to the doctor and pharmacist. One could try to feed a starving student artist by offering a reasonable compensation for his or her latest Magnus opus.…Continue reading Can’t Afford Wall Art?

Gio Ponti

“Gio” or Giovani Ponti (1891 – 1979) was a busy Italian architect with an admirable record of buildings in Italy and international locations. Unfortunately, the only example of Ponti’s architecture in North America is the Denver Art Museum (1971), North Building which was done in collaboration with James Sudler Associates.   As far as architecture goes,…Continue reading Gio Ponti

A Film on Fallingwater

This is a short film on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater (Kaufmann) House. It is a little out of sync but I thought many people would enjoy this video, a film written and produced by Mary Rawson.   Just a little note: This house is best called Fallingwater since another famous and beautiful house referred to…Continue reading A Film on Fallingwater

Milo Baughman Credenza.

Mid-Century Milo

Milo Baughman was an American designer born in the middle of the United States, in Goodland, Kansas, moved to California and at thirteen designed his parents house. After returning from the Army during World War II, he attended the Art Center School of Los Angeles and at Chouinard Art Institute, later known as the California…Continue reading Mid-Century Milo

5 Easy DIY Modern Room Dividers

Room dividers were a common interior element in mid-century design. Screens and dividers of all sorts of invention became a part of separating spaces whether indoors or outdoors. Depending on the style and construction, room dividers provided a way to delineate different areas without enclosing spaces with walls while preserving an open concept.    …Continue reading 5 Easy DIY Modern Room Dividers

Jens Risom.

Jens Risom

Jens Risom passed away last year at the age of 100. During his lifetime he was a major influence in spreading Scandinavian modern design in America. Although if one has only a cursory knowledge of modern design, and even if one has no idea about the designer of a certain chair, one immediately recognizes it…Continue reading Jens Risom

Charlotte Perriand

The emergence of women designers and architects certainly came full force in the 20th century. We all know of Ray Eames, but right up there among the elite is Charlotte Perriand (1903-1999). (For a brief read on 9 prominent women designers, click the image link below.)   Even with just a casual knowledge of mid-century…Continue reading Charlotte Perriand

Krisel, Modernity For Everyone

Architecture William Krisel Modernity For Everyone ___ By Howard Bosler     The most interesting thing about William Krisel, besides his love for the butterfly roof, is his down to earth approach toward modern architecture. Since he has just recently passed away, I thought a look at Mr. Krisel is in order. About Mr. Krisel…Continue reading Krisel, Modernity For Everyone