Compact Cabins by Simple Living

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...


 

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

 

Our Next Topic...

Mid Century Vase, Atomic, White with Black Band

So here's a hint as to what the next post will be about. Do you think you know? Better yet, do you have anything like this around your house? Let us know about it in the comments. Leave a link if you have photos. 

Later we'll get on this subject a bit more. For now though, just drool....

Oh yeah, don't forget to check out more such items here*. 

Please note that each link that has an (*) at the end is an affiliate link. These links help provide income to Amidst Mod so that we can keep this blog going.  

TRICKS TO WIDENING YOUR WINDOW.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tikitacky/6681607695/

These links are affiliate links that provide amidst mod with a small, but necessary income when you buy these products or products from these vendors.

Here's what the slab is all about.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a short post called "Perfect Slabs, What's it all mean?". So here's what it all means...

As an artist, designer, and craftsman, I find joy in many different styles. However, of all the styles of art that I enjoy, things made of wood always attract my attention most. Of all the different styles of wood objects and furniture, live edge or natural slab are my favorites.

One of the strange things about live edge furniture though, is that it is hard to find many that by look like they are clearly Mid-Century. Clearly, anyone who has been around for a while instantly knows George Nakashima's work. Because of knowledge, one associates his work as Mid-Century. However, as I've looked at many live edge pieces I see that many of the contemporary pieces have the same characteristics of Mid-Century live edge works.

Mid-Century or not, a well finished piece of wood is something that I find extremely beautiful. Not more beautiful than my wife, but still, something that inspires awe. In the near future I will building a few things with live edge wood. I have a bed in mind, an end/coffee table, and at least one desk. As I'm a very visual person, I generally like to get my creative senses going by looking at truly inspiring live edge furniture. So, I hope you like the following photos. To start off with, I'm going to feature a piece from J.Rusten Furniture Studio's. All other pieces shown after that are piece from different designers.

Why Not Digital?

Art of Edwin Wade

Digital art is becoming, by in large, a huge part of our lives. We see it on TV. Many times we save some card or ad that was originally created by someone via graphics programs. In fact, in many schools, digital art is the primary focus for graphics design programs. I know that in Art Institute it was back in '99. So how much more so today! My question then is, why is it so hard for people to except digital art as fine art?

No art field is easy. It's always hard to make a living selling art. In the MCM genre, many enthusiast are very design oriented and are willing to buy art and decor for their homes. True, some only want authentic Mid-Century, or vintage art. Others though, have really seen the importance of helping the community by buying, what I call "Mid-Century revivalists" art. However, would you buy digital?

As an artist, I have to say that digital art is no less difficult than other forms of art that I create. I sculpt and build furniture. Having done many of these things, I have found that all have there difficult points. For instance, the time it takes to make a digital graphic is something to consider. Why? Well, the artist must draw/sketch their design, then they must process the design to modify it in the graphics program. After that, all textures to be used in the image must be created. Something of interest is, that many times the textures used have been hand painted or manufactured. These textures then have to be uploaded and modified to a usable format for the graphic. After all of this, the artist must select the correct settings and materials to produce their art on. Once all this is done the artist get to try and sell their works in a widely apathetic industry.

All said and done. Digital art is, in fact, art. It is a very challenging and difficult art. So, the next time you want to buy a piece of art, at least consider a Digital created piece.


Some of my favorite digital artists

Michael Robertson

Edwin Wade

 

Fairhaven Eichler

Fairhaven Eichler, a photo by Chimay Bleue on Flickr.

One of my favorite Eichler home photos that Chimay Bleue has on his set. They're all good, but I really like this one. His composition, the wall sculpture, that futuristic roof line, and the contrast of the colors with the shade and sky. All of it makes for another great photo by Darren.

To see more photos of Mid-Century Modern/Atomic ranches and contemporary modern architecture and design check out his Flickr photo stream by clicking his name, or clicking the image above.

Lantern

I'm now ebaying and have posted my first item. It's not the last thing though. I will have more to come soon. For now, I suggest checking out my wall hanging that I have listed. Hope you bid and make me...well...I would say rich, but that's really not going to happen. So, please buy "Lantern" so I can cover what I put into it.

Thanks!

Inspired by Flickr, Sandiv999

All images are courtesy of Sandiv999 other than "Sandiv Owl" (illustrated by Eric McGrew)

Isn't it funny how we can come to know a specific portion of one's (as in anyone, not someones name) personality by just what they put up on Flickr. Personally, I find that with the style of photos or images that one puts on their Flickr you get a since of their personality. I'm not saying that you get to know everything, or even a lot about them. Just one specific aspect.

Over the relatively short period of time I have been active (well, off and on) on Flickr, I seem to be drawn to certain people's Flickr accounts. Por supuesto this if because of the content. Sorry some of my Spanish slipped out

back there. However, even more important than the content sometimes is the overall feel of a Flickr account, or the unique way each photo explains, reveals, and speaks about each person. It's for this very reason, that I write you this post.

Here's kinda how it goes. As you know, I love art of all sorts. Drawing,

Photography, Architecture, Illustration, Furniture making, and Painting are just a few examples. Well, if you threw in Sculpting, Mosaics, Interior Design, and Graphic Design, I guess you would have just about all of them. Wait!... I think you do. Anywho, much of my inspiration for designing in any of the number of methods I employ comes from Flickr content. It may be that my creation itself is inspired by something I've seen recently, a color combination that caught my eye, or maybe, I'm just motivated to start designing at all. What ever the result, Flickr generally did it. Therefore, I feel you should come to know my Flickr contacts too.

Sandiv999 is one of the most inspirational contacts I have for MCM architecture/interiors, and retro illustrations/ads. Not only does she have cool photos on her account, but she has such a cool name, Sandi. Ohh... can't you just hear some 1960's surfer calling his girl Sandi. More than just that, she's nice too! So all in all, she's just too cool for her own good. That however, helps me out. Over the time that I have been in contact with Sandi, she has said such nice things about my art, and she always helps me stay motivated by her diligent work to find new photos, objects, or illustration.

Now, we can get to know her a little bit better. She has been kind enough to let each of us know a little about her Mid-centuriness. So, here we go.

Interview via email:

JEM: What and When, influenced your interest in Mid-Century/Mod Art, Architecture, and Design?

Sandi: Some of my very earliest memories are of watching the Monkees. The pop tv shows of the sixties-the Monkees, I Dream of Jeannie and The Avengers had a big impact on me as a kid. Gerald McBoing-Boing, the Jetsons and any of the jazzy house/car/world of the future cartoons were also faves. Also, thanks to reruns of Laugh-In, my first career aspiration was to be a go-go dancer in a cage, which led to my minor obsession with the stewardess uniforms from Braniff and PSA. We lived in Silicon Valley, which is lousy with cool post-war modernist homes featuring clerestory windows and atriums. As I got older, I never tired of that look, those sounds and the oh-so happy colors.
http://www.braniffpages.com/1965/1965.htmlhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/sandiv999/4286094498/

JEM: What is your favorite outlet for the inspiration you receive from MCM/Mod Art, Architecture, and Design?

Sandi: My canvas is my home and garden. I use color to impute architectural interest to my rather plain-jane ranch home and have filled it with art of all kinds. I also geek out over midcentury graphics and have a large collection of obscure scanned pieces I've shared through Flickr and my Tumblr blog.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandiv999/ http://pinkjetpack.tumblr.com/

JEM: If you could have any MCM/Mod object or piece (even furniture or house), what would it be?

Sandi: Groan, just one? Well, an Alexander home would be my truest object of desire. But then again, there's that need for a sunken conversation pit. Can't choose, want both.
http://www.eichlernetwork.com/desert_chron1.html

JEM: What are your favorite MCM/Mod websites to visit?

Sandi: I've found the Flickr midcentury groups to be a source of true delights and here's just a few blogs that are must sees: Aqua-Velvet, the Animalarium, Cartoon Brew, Kickcan & Conkers and Delicious Industries.
http://aqua-velvet.com/ http://theanimalarium.blogspot.com/ http://www.cartoonbrew.com/http://kickcanandconkers.blogspot.com/ http://www.deliciousindustries.blogspot.com/

JEM: Who is your favorite MCM/Mod musician?

Sandi: Ooh, another one where I have to choose? Strictly era appropriate? I'd go with the Kinks, Miles Davis, pop acts such as Nancy Sinatra. There's a few current bands working in the genre I'm digging right now, the MoonSpinners and Les Etrangers. Again, I could go on, I mean there's also the whole 70's/early 80's mod revival.....
http://www.myspace.com/themoonspinners http://www.myspace.com/lesetrangers

JEM: What is your favorite MCM/Mod movie?

Sandi: Mon Oncle, for the surreal sets and whimsy. The Party for that home and the groovy attire.