Making A TV Worth Watching

Photo Source: Teknynja.com

A few short days ago, I posted a topic "TV: Back When It Was Worth Watching". In said post, it was mentioned that the progress of the electronics seemed to have a reverse affect on the exterior design. So, what we end up with is something of a backward world. Beautiful on the outside, and dull on the inside, or beautiful on the inside and dull on the outside.

With this topic in mind, I've done a bit of sniffing around on the net, and I have found the following articles to try and balance the weights between the 2 worlds. One of the articles is a DIY and the other is a reference to a TV tech that might offer the option your looking for. If not, he may at least have the information you need to get what you want out of your old TV.

Other than converting your old Mid-century refrigerator TV into a fish tank or a dog bed/house, I found very few Retro TV Conversion DIY's. However, I did find this one. Teknynja.com has posted a two part post on the retrofitting of his MCM Cabinet TV. Teknynja's first post "Vintage TV Mod, Part I" and their second post "Vintage TV Mod, Part II" are where you will find the DIY retrofitting process. Only thing is, as of recent, the second post doesn't have working photos on the post. At least, not for me. So, that is a bit of a bummer. There are holes where knobs should be and a few other details, that You will see. It does, however, look like a decent tutorial on the actual conversion process of the TV into modern technology. Therefore, with a little extra work, you could have the retrofit done and finish out the cabinet a bit more.

Thru my searching, I also found this post, "Fair Lawn man retrofits vintage televisions with modern technology" about a man in New Jersey who has a TV Repair and retrofitting store/operation. He is said to convert mid-century TV's into modern technology beings. This article states that he has limitations as far as what he can retrofit, but that anyone can call and request a quote or ask about the set they have, are looking at getting, or would like to get. So, if you're in the market for a vintage TV and want to look at having the internals modernized, you might find this place worth the call. It seems that they may actually have some TV's already retrofitted for sale as well. However, this article is a bit old, and I have not called. So, I will leave it up to you folks to let me know how this turns out.

Please understand that I have not tried either of these options. I have not tried calling the TV store, nor the DIY Retro TV conversion.

1945 - case study house #9

Photo source: www.dailyicon.net

Today, for a short post, we're going to look at the case study house #9. Well, really, I'm not going to say much because this has been covered so many times. You can find so many magazine articles, blog post and books on these houses. However, you will find some good links to read all about it if you would like too. Just so you know, after looking at these homes, I always want to go create something. They are all soooo cool! Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_Study_Houses
Google search
Flickr search
Mid-Century Homes and design publications

 

Foureyes, Sevin Salomone And Mid-Century Plywood

Photo source: www.foureyesfurniture.com

Note: All photos featured in this post are property of Seviin Salomone and Foureyes Furniture. 

If you stay around Amidst Mod long enough, you find out quickly, that my FAVORITE material in the world is plywood. I'm not going to go into why in this post, but I can say without a doubt, that to me plywood furniture and design is the epitome of mid-century modern. So I'm constantly looking for new and refreshing plywood designers who share an interest in plywood working.

I don't just rely on them though. Many days are spent drawing, calculating, and designing my own styles of art/furniture, that I hope to one day create and share with all of you.

Some times however, I find a designer, or company that has a cool and unique focus on the essence of mid-century styled designs and also appreciates plywood. When that happens, I have to bring them too you. So here we go.

Sevin Salomone with Foureyes Furniture has a style that has completely enthralled me, and I think you'll know why once you seen his furniture. Please note, that I'm only featuring his plywood designs, but he has a bunch of nice work in on his sites.  You can see more at www.foureyesfurniture.com. Other pieces can also be seen at www.custommade.com/by/foureyes/.
and also, don't for get his facebook, pinterest , or tumblr acounts.

Photo Source: www.foureyesfurniture.com

Photo source: http://www.foureyesfurniture.com

If you're inspired by such incredible works, why not support the craftsman by purchasing a piece? His works are a sure fit for the any mid-century or retro interior. If though, you are more interested in learning how to build such pieces, here are a few books you may want to consider. 

 

Doug-CH-Muse-Retro

Doug-CH-Muse-Retro, a photo by Eric McGrew/Amidst Mod on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
This is the Courthouse in Douglasville Georgia. While this town doesn't have much in the way of Mid-century modern architecture, they do seem to respect and appreciate what they have as part of their history.

I was very happy to see such a small town take an interest in a very cool MCM building, and use it for a community cultural center and museum. However, you can't expect to much from a small southern town. I looked in the windows, and the whole building (other than lobby) had a country decor interior. Doesn't really fit, but... hey, at least the building is safe for now. That's something.

Here are a few more views.

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Danish Mid-Century Modern Or Modern Danish?

Photo source: http://www.normann-copenhagen.com/Products/Hive-Lamp?v=502150

In the most specific form of the term, Mid-century modern^, we are trapped into a period of around 30-40 years to choose from. Not only does it limit us in products based on a time frame, it also limits us because mass production of products were fewer in quantity than they are today. Therefore limiting access to these wonderful products and pieces.

Without a doubt, there are many designers from many countries that participated in the development of the mid-century modern style in it's heyday. One extremely famous sector of the world was Denmark. Danish modern^, considered by how much the designers were talked about, or the public's purchasing trends, proved that the Danish designers had a niche that others tried to follow.

While having success in architecture and interior design, most came to know of their furniture and home accessories and that's what would catch the eyes of the Jetset infatuated world. Everything from Danish lounge chairs* to the silverware* on the table*, from the candelabra* to the magazine rack*, from the lights* to the rugs*. All of it, had to contend with the Danes, and the Danes were ruling.

Danish design awareness, to those in the states, really picked up in the 50's and the 60's, even though Danish modern designers had subscribed to modern design even before this period. During these two specific decades though, it became common to see original Danish designer furniture, art, and accents, and kitchenware in the houses of those who could afford it. And those who could not afford it? Well, they bought likenesses, or reproductions. Clinging to the ever desirable design style, just not quite getting the originality or quality.

What's happened with Danish design today? That really is the question. As I had briefly mentioned in an earlier post. A friend of ours who lives in BonAire, which is a Danish territory, entered my house, looked at a few pieces of my furniture, and said...: You like Danish furniture, don't you? I asked why he thought so? He told me that my credenza looked like the current furniture the Danish furniture stores are selling, and that all the houses are furnished with this kind of furniture. So, I had to check it out. Well, it seems he's right.

While Modern Danish (today's Danish Modern) is progressive. It still has a feel that, in mixed company of MCM Danish modern, would likely go unnoticed. That's not to say that all Modern Danish would fit into the 50's and 60's Mid-century design period. In fact, some of what is coming from current designers, better fits the late 60's and early 70's design styling that was popular.

Even so, the Danish Mid-century design DNA has been passed down. To help illustrate this, I've put together a bit of a comparison below.

Mid-century Danish modern lamp*

Photo Source: ebay.com

Modern Danish Lamp from www.normann-copenhagen.com

Photo Source: normann-copenhagen.com

Modern Danish Sofa/Love seat/coutch from www.normann-copenhagen.com

Photo Source: normann-copenhagen.com

Mid-Century Danish Modern Sofa/Coutch from www.dejavulongbeach.com

photo source: www.dejavulongbeach.com

As you can see, whether it's Mid-Century Danish modern, or Modern Danish, it's really all just mid-century in style and design principal.

For more Vintage Mid-century Modern Danish furniture, please check out the ebay app below and help Amidst Mod by using this affiliate app. For more information on how Amidst Mod is monetarily supported, please see the income page.

Mid-Century Artist: Atomic Skyway

Photo source: AtomicSkyway

Some time has gone by since I first thought about featuring Atomic Skyways work on this blog. Still, for one reason or another, it's just never happened. Even so, my appreciation for has not waned. From Atomic Skyways, aka Cris', first piece he placed on facebook, I have been a big fan. While, I see a continued progression in his work, every piece has had a 100% professionally finished and refined look from day one.

My first experience with Cris's/AtomicSkyways work was the day he posted the above photo on Facebook. This was back in 2011. Mid-century Sci-fi* shapes, gold flake paint, and a green pearl. How was I to pass by this one without just being amazed. His choices in shapes and in color are more than by chance. These are combinations, that come from a sophisticated designer. One that understands the limits, visual weights, and composition of good Mid-century abstract* design.

 Photo source: Atomic Skyways facebook

Thru out my time of watching Atomic Skyways, we've not really had much communication. I hope one day to be able to speak a bit more with him about his processes of design and inspirations. For the time being though, I'm just amazed at his ability. Atomic Skyways has as much the ability to build a formidable mcm inspired sculpture*, as easily as create 3d sculpture paintings. That's pretty impressive!

Atomic Skyways works are more than just copies of shapes, themes, and colors of the mid-century modern designs* left behind. He has taken all the art and design he's ever been exposed to, and boiled it down to the original principals. From this, he has created current day mid-century modern art*. So precise is his design aesthetic, that when applied to his popular Atomic Skyways ad's with photoshop, they almost look as if they belong in the mid-century period of the photo. I'd go so far as to guess, someone new to mid-century design has found his ad's and thought they were designers works from the real mid-century modern* period.

Photo source: Atomic Skyways facebook

Looking thru Atomic Skyways facebook and blog will help you see why his art is so incredible. After all, he has worked a good bit with one of the most prominent Mid-century design studios* ever. Who, you may ask? Disney*! Let's face it. Whether you like Disney* parks or not, if you're into mid-century art*, you've got to dig you some Disney art and design*.  On his blog you'll see a number of pics of these incredible sculptured park accents and floats that he's worked on. Knowing how to use all those techniques can only help his works to become even more impressive.

While looking at Atomic Skyways works, I could point out a ton of interesting and attractive aspects of his pieces. One that really draws my attention though, is that every piece is a sculpture. Mattering not whether Cris is putting together a stand alone sculpture for the end table, or a piece of wall art, they're going to be equally sculpted. To me that's pretty swing'n. So, if you've got your interest peeked, step over to his facebook and blog. Maybe, just maybe, he'll produce even more pieces if he gets more hits. That's my hope at least!

Photo source: atomicskyway.blogspot.com

http://atomicskyway.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/AtomicSkyway?fref=ts

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