While researching a few other things on the web, I ran across this California Gold/California Public Television episode that features a tour of Frank Sinatra's Palm Springs Desert compound. This video is from 2012, and shows the house as it was when the current owners purchased the home. If you want to see a glimpse of what Frank Sinatra's life away from the camera was like, then you may very well enjoy this episode.
If though, you are expecting to see tons of Mid-Century Modern interior design, there's not much to be seen here. Most of the interior design is late 70's to mid 80's. There are a number of good scenes that show very mcm style appropriate desert landscape design, a segment on his theator room, a good amount of photos, his train room, and the pool area.
One of the guest host is a long-time friend of Frank Sinatra's, Frank Randall, and he recounts a little of what it was like to be there in the late 70's and 80's. He also give a bit of insight about ole "Blue Eye's" as a friend and host.
A very cool bonus feature of this video, is the home video shot of the Palm Springs Parade as it would have been seen in the early 60's. That was very cool to see too.
If you follow my facebook, you may have noticed that I put up a post about the Compact Cabins* book mentioned in the title.
Purely, by chance, I happened to see it while I was walking thru Lowes and was fairly impressed by it. However, I had no idea how cool it really was, until my loving in-laws gave it to me as a gift. So, lets go over the book a bit.
Honestly, the first thing that drew my attention to the book was a combination of factors. These where, that the cover illustration was a tonal architectural rendering of a cabin, and the second was... that the book is about cabins. While we all know that there are many books on architecture and so on, Cabin building is one of the most iconicly Mid-Century genres of architecture there is. (This is a topic for another time.)
So, not expecting much... I figured the photo on the cover was to pull you in, and then the rest would be glossy photos of contemporary cabins that no one could afford. I picked up the book (in the store before owning it), and looked briefly over the contents. To my surprise I found a really solid retro inspired looking cabin book. While I can't count it as completely Mid-Century Modern in design, I can guarantee that the author of this book was keeping in mind the original mid-century cabin books.
What I found inside is a really interesting and well balanced book. It takes on some of the more traditional styled cabin looks and simplifies the completion and construction of them with more current innovations.
One way that the book brings in current innovations into these retro styled cabins is by taking into consideration prefab and ready made units in the construction process. Some of these concepts are: using travel trailer and camper shower/bathroom units, using shipping containers, and using pre-made kitchen units to facilitate construction of the compact interiors while cutting your cost and time for design and install way down.
While some concepts may be a bit to contemporary for those of you who are reading this post, do not fear. This book has those contemporary concepts separated from the more traditional designs. However, it is good to remember that one of the big motivations in the MCM world was pushing design to incorporate new engineering concepts.
Compact Cabins* also gives very solid advice on modular units, and how they can be designed to construct the perfect cabin for your needs. Included in the book are 62 cabin plans, a number of tips on how to source materials (in todays world), how to find out about the building codes that exist, and a number of space saving concepts.
I do think it is very important for anyone reading this to understand that the maximum size of the cabins covered in this book is 1000 sf. Therefore, if you are looking for a book that covers larger cabins, this is not the book for you. Still, this book is incredibly practical, and will make you rethink the building of a larger more expensive cabin for the practicality of one of the ones shown in this book.
In conclusion, I would say that the content of this book is more than just interesting. I would say that is super practical and very inspiring. Being that I'm somewhat of a Mid-Century book snob (not just any old book gets in my collection), any book that I suggest must fit a few important criteria. First- Any book to be displayed must fit in with my other mid-century books. Second- It must be practical and lend toward Mid-Century styled living. Third- It needs to be an easily understood book that is useful to anyone who may pick it up. Compact Cabins* is all of the above without a doubt. While it isn't suitable for Mid-Century Purist, it will be a great and wonderful addition to the average Mid-Century enthusiast. In fact, just looking at this book has inspired me to reconsider the possibility of building a cabin. Who knows, it could happen...
I may not be inspired to write by the post I found on Mid2Mod, but I most definitely am inspired to build another piece of furniture, as soon as my bed is finished at least. As I'm sure you will again, Mid2Mod hit on the head when they said the exquisitely handcrafted desk of the past are a lost art. For the most part, I would agree with that.
Today, there are still a few designers, and furniture makers that build that ultra linear, but with a flair of personality, desk by hand. However, most of that is gone. That being said, I know for a fact, that there are still plenty of woodworkers out there than can do this work. Some of the groups on Flickr, Facebook, and forums that I've found prove that. Only thing is, you have to buddy up to these people to be able to afford their work.
So, what are my suggestions on the subject? Well, here they go.
1)go rummage sales hunting more for that perfect vintage piece 2)Learn to make furniture yourself. 3) If none of those work out, make you some new online friends based on their woodworking abilities.
Today, I wanted it to be an easy, relaxing day. So I figured that I would talk about something light-hearted. While thinking about what topic to choose, I was working on my new Amidst mod zazzle store*. Then it struck me... "I should search "Retro Sci-fi*". So I did, and I was pretty impressed with what I found.
Now, just so you know, I'm not particularly into kitch. I don't think badly of those who are, but still, kitch just hasn't ever really been my liking. That rule, of course, is broken when it comes to Retro Sci-fi*. I LOVE Retro Sci-fi*. In fact, just about the only thing I read, other than design and furniture*/retro woodworking* books, are Retro Futuristic Sci-fi* novels. Isiac Asimov* is my favorite author. Even his joke books are really good.
Still, what has always attracted me most are graphics, and illustrations. To that end, I thought I'd share a few cool graphics that you can purchase in different forms on Zazzle.com* that are 100% cool retro futuristic/sci-fi. In fact, you can even find a number of vintage sci-fi movie posters and graphics from novels applied to different products. So to give you an idea of what's available, here are few of my personal favorites.
Plus, there's a ton more. Look thru this app below to see some more of what is offered for sale.
View more gifts at Zazzle.
Note:All links to Zazzle.com are part of an affiliate program in which Amidstmod.com participates. By purchasing thru these affiliate program links, you are helping Amidstmod.com to continue providing informative, and we hope, quality articles/post for our readers.
A really strange thing has happened to me this month. Two things, in fact. First was a friend of mine that lives in BonAire (the Danish Held Island) came to visit us. While he was here, he saw my Cradenza that I had made, then noticed my Mid-century modern woodworking books* that I have. Then he proceeded to tell me that I would like BonAire because all the Danes that live have their houses furnished with the furniture that I love so much.
Second was, someone on Facebook told me that they had been looking at Danish design online (specifically Danish furniture). He then told me that it seemed to him that the Danish Modern that we put so much effort into preserving and finding seems to be standard issue for their modern day (contemporary) furniture stores. So, due to these couple of comments, I started a full on investigation into modern day Danish furniture. While effecting this investigation, I got a bit distracted and started looking at Danish Design in general. I thought, well... why not share some inspiration with the rest. With that in mind, here you go.
As we all know... once you're passionate about MCM, it's hard to get away from looking for new sources of inspiration. As I was looking for inspiration for my next project, I found this cool site. I think you should check it out. There is a TON of cool MCM furniture on here.
I don't what to misrepresent any of this information as being of my original design. However, I am so happy to see that the Eames Molded chairs* will be going back into fabrication with fiberglass. Gizmodo.com is the hero, for me, as far as this post goes. It's because of them, that I even know about this topic.
Still, I have to say, that I am really happy. Not that I will be getting one of these any time soon. I don't know if you know..., but it's not easy finding a Herman Miller* store, or product* near me. So, for now, I just have to appreciate the craftsmanship from a distance. Knowing that, this chair in fiberglass, is a thousand times better than in a plastic form.
I've never been a big fan of the plastic. A few years ago, when I went shopping for some "modern" furniture at one of the stores in Atlanta, the sales person tried diligently to get me to buy one of the plastic molded chairs. I just couldn't do it. Granted, they are light and easy to move. Still, they just were never as comfortable to me. Growing up using laundry mats, I've sat in, who knows how many of the mass production Herman Miller, and copies, of this chair. So, I know very well, how they should fill. I sat in a ton of each style. While the style above, was fairly popular where I lived in Texas, at different stores, restaurants, and laundry mats, the short side (without armrest) model was much more popular in Georgia.
While, I understand the reasons for Herman Miller eliminating the fiberglass production in '89, I'm glad to see they've found a way to get the glass work back in the mix. Granted, anyone who's worked with fiberglass before, has to pity the workers a bit. Fiberglass work is one itchy profession, but man... that glass mesh texture in the chairs sure does give it that vintage feel. That makes it all worth while.
Once again, if you want the whole shin dig on what's going on in more detail, I tell you, check out WWW.GIZMODO.COM
Also, check out the search results on Flickr for the search term "Eames Molded chair". It's pretty inspiring. Also, below you'll see Ebay search results for Eames Fiberglass Chair*.
As usual, I was looking for information on a post subject and I got distracted. What I found was a very cool and inviting little martini glass. While not exactly mid-century modern, it definitely is simple, inviting and is made of the two most common mcm materials... Wood and Aluminum.
Being that I'm a bit more subdued in my color choices these days for house wares, my option is the one shown to the left. Simple wood brown, and white stem. There are other colors, but personally, I find the white stem to be the most simple and appealing. If you want to check out more of these glasses, check them out here.
If this isn't your style, maybe you'll find something of interest below.
I know it doesn't make any since, but I don't care. For the past 3 days, I've been researching a topic that I really am enjoying. One that I hope to have posted real soon. However, everyday on my highway of research, I keep running into this AWESOME Mid-century looking sculpture. I LOVE THIS PIECE. Why? Let's see...
First, there's that awesome canterlever effect going on.
Second, it's wood
Third, I love it wen the bark is carefully cleaned and intergrated in a modern way to wood working.
Fourth, Just look at the two sculptured piece on top. Need I say more...?
Fifth and Final... That satin final coat is absolutely my favorite. I prefer satin over any other kind. It's super classy without making it look plasticy.
So, after having seen this piece a number of times, I just couldn't resist putting it up. And, there you go. By the way, did I mention, it's made of wood?
Jenn Ski was one of the first mid-century inspired artist that I found almost 6 years ago. Mid-Centuries revivalist era was building momentum, but yet still had limited information posted on the web. So, Jenn along with a handful of other artist really started to influence me and make me want to investigate the Mid-Century art* revivalist. That's what I did.
Today, I still keep up with her latest works, because she is just that good. Jenn has a way of hiding the complexities of her work in bright colors, and well thought out designs. She makes all her work look soothing and simple, but when you start to look at the details of what makes her work flow so well, you see that the choice of texture, color, shape, and composition are not that simple.
If that wasn't enough, she is very diverse in her abilities. No matter if she is designing for an arts and crafts packet, designing animals,* or doing full on mid-century abstract, she is very consistent in her styling and quality. She paints, uses craft materials, and is a graphic designer/illustrator, and does it all very well. Plus, she offers her work for reasonable prices. Clearly, if you're looking for an original Jenn Ski painting, for the wall, it's going to cost you a bit more. Still, if your content with a high quality, and did I mention beautiful, print... You'll be set for a reasonable price.
Plus, on top of everything else, she has always been a very nice person to be in contact with. Honestly, if it was for the artistic influence of people such as Jenn Ski and a few of her contemporaries, I more than likely wouldn't be typing this today. So, I really suggest you check out her works. You won't be disappointed.
book mentioned in the title.
. I LOVE 
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books, are 
novels. 
is my favorite author. Even his joke books are really good.
will be going back into fabrication with fiberglass. 
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revivalist. That's what I did.
or doing full on 
