Mid-Century Modern House

Mid-Century Modern House, a photo by Chimay Bleue on Flickr.

With photos like this...,is it any wonder I wanted to interview him? Chimay Bleue's interview coming later this week. Still editing for the blog you know. Anyway though, his photos will continue to be posted for the rest of the month! Enjoy the eye candy. 


Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. By using these links you can get what you need/want and help Amidst Mod to continue providing info and inspirations.

A Graphic Look At Fallingwater

A Graphic Look At Fallingwater

You folks really need to check these out if you haven't seen them. These graphics are super simple in there color and design, but catch the full effect of the architectural design.

Mid-century modern ski chalet

Mid-century modern ski chalet, a photo by Chimay Bleue on Flickr.

I remember once seeing a post card with this resort on it, and thinking how cool this place is. I'm glad that Chimay Bleue could get this photo. In his other photos of Mammoth on his Flickr set, he mentions that there are less of the MCM designs than there was in '91.

I hate to hear that, but it seems that all to common, the old must yield to the new. Yesterday, I found a Portuguese blog about Mid-Century Modern homes here in Chile that where also demolished for newer construction. It's just a shame.

On to brighter news though, look out for Chimay Bleue's inteview that he did with me. It'll be out in a few more days.

Our Friend The Atom: Understanding The Atomic Age

I just have one thing to ask. Where was this video when I was in school? Man...it came out in the 50's and I was in school in the 80's and 90's. Why didn't they show this to me? I would have actually paid attention, and even more important... Understood.

This video though, does more than explain how the atom works. Sure, it does have some fairly unsettling parts were people are walking around with Uranium and a Geiger Counter like they are harmless. Also, there is the part about how spreading nuclear reactive debris may be a way of producing bigger and better crops, and livestock. Shucks though, those are not important. What's a little radiation amongst friends? More importantly is the way this video makes certain aspects of Mid-Century design even more clear. I mean, who cares about contaminated food, when we can talk about art.

In this video we see just how the focuses of the 50's and early 60's shaped the Mid-Century design community. Specifically speaking, the modern genre of said community. Thru the studies of these ever impressive organisms that where so new to everyone and even more important to the future, these designers copied what they saw. Sure they elaborated on them, but they did in large, copy nature.

Over the past 5 or so years, I've read and heard a lot about the organic designs that these Mid-Century designers used in there furniture, architecture, and art. However, while I never doubted it, it just never clicked what organic designs they were copying or inspired by.  This video not only taught me about the atom, but about the motion and effect on molecules. Thru these things, Mid-Century design became even more apparent to me. Are you a true enthusiast of these retro designs of the Mid-Century/Eames Era? Then, you have to really check out this video (embedded below).

On top of everything else, I found out that there is a very cool vintage book that Disney put out by the same name. I looked it up and there are a number of different prints. Some can be found on Ebay while Amazon seemed to be the only other real good option that I saw. I've really got to quit finding new books with cool Mid-Century illustrations in them. I might just end up buying something...

In case you were wondering. I saw a lot of how Eames, Charles Harper, and others were clearly influenced. 

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. By using these links you can get what you need/want and help Amidst Mod to continue providing info and inspirations.

Brushstroke (aka Saltman Residence)

Brushstroke (aka Saltman Residence), a photo by Chimay Bleue on Flickr.

More cool architecture by Chimay Bleue.

Something temporary.

Where Did The Vision Go?

If I was to tell you that I was a Disney fanatic...that would be a lie. At the same time though, I couldn't honestly say, that I don't appreciate vintage Disney.

From an early age, Disney has impacted my life in various ways. The most profound, from childhood on, would be with their animation. Specifically the animated shorts and cartoons of the 30's to the 70's. Of course, those that I always like best were Mickey and friends. Donald's cartoons were great, Mickey's too, but of all the friends, my favorites are still Goofy's "how to's" and "art of" shorts.

Beyond that though, Disney also inspired another aspect of my life. Not just cartoons, or art, but also in futurist and modern design. Don't ask me why, but the guys and gals that worked for Disney had a true vision of the future. All of there films of tomorrow, the education films, and showcases they were involved in, at least the 40's to 60's showed a very imaginative and cool style.

It seems though, that Disney like so many other companies has come to a time where they are just keeping up with the present, or more interested in selling a product that has, or will come out soon, that they don't use the imagination they once did. A good example of this is portrayed in the video embedded. Watch it, and tell me if you don't agree.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. By using these links you can get what you need/want and help Amidst Mod to continue providing info and inspirations. 

Book about Paul McCobb

I just ran across this book on accident I'm pretty sure that I have run across this book before, it's just that there are so many books I would like to own, that I could never get them all. And, I'm just talking about in print books. Don't get me started on all the Mid-Century design and wood working books that are my favorites from that time period. A few people have said that this is probably one of the best books about Paul McCobb's furniture that you will find in reprint. Of course, it's always better to have the original. If you can find it...

1950s Decorative Plate

1950s Decorative Plate, a photo by hmdavid on Flickr.

This tray that I found on hmdavid's flickr is amazing to me, and I'll tell you why. In general, I find Mid-Century art to be the perfect fit for me. Most of the time it's simple, tells a story, evokes an emotion, explains the function. Also, I find that the pieces that explain something generally are my favorite. Why? Well, let's take this tray for instance. This tray could be, or does multiple things as it is.

First, it's a tray. Form is simple, but designed. Adding just the right amount of embellishment, but not to much. Second, it's not just any tray...it's a food serving tray. How do we know? It tells you so. Third, even though it's all these things, it could simply be put on display as an art piece.

I mean...man, this is everything the Mid-Century, but especially the "modern" side of things were about. Specifically in the Post War era, people still had the "hold on to your money in case..." idea. Most things of the time were designed to be multifunctional. They also were to be sufficiently designed to ad to the overall ambient, but not be wasteful. On top of that, everything simply needed to look good and be of a good quality.

On top all this, I find a since of humor in this kind of art. Now, please understand that I'm not saying that what I'm about to say is what the designer was really thinking. This just comes from my sarcastic mind. Considering the obvious placement of art, it's almost like the designers were kind of making fun of the people using their products. Like they were saying; "Just so you know, this tray is used to carry KITCHEN ITEMS...don't confuse it with a Frisbee." Like I said, I really don't think that's what they were thinking when they came up with the art. It's just so obvious what trays are used for, it seems some what humorous that they would spell it out in an illustrated form.  Still though, I'm not complaining, it's just that that always catches my attention. Plus, if you think about it, today designers do the same thing. They write coffee and tea on mugs used for what? Coffee...and tea... What a keen idea. Still, I've done it too, and will probably continue to do it as well.

No matter if they were making fun or not. I'd be super happy to have it sitting in my home telling me that is a food tray. Oh, yeah, those graphics are awesome too.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. By using these links you can get what you need/want and help Amidst Mod to continue providing info and inspirations.

More To Come

woodwork detail #3, a photo by sandiv999 on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Sculpture in the lobby of my office building.

Once upon a time, a little while ago, I found Sandiv999's photo stream. I was instantly a fan. Man... that's been a few years ago now. Never the less, Sandi Vincent continues to bring us inspiration.  However, I'm not just posting this about Sandi's photo stream. No, it's just that she was the only person, I every got around to doing an interview with. That though is going to change. I'm working on bringing you closer to your MC Community. How so? Well, I'm putting together some questions for a few people I'm going to interview. This way, we get to see why they love mid-century so much. I find the enthusiast to be as interesting as the designers, and the architects. With good reason too. Each person has their own style and quirks. Just make sure you keep your eyes out for this, and in the mean while, check out my interview with Sandiv999. Her Flickr name is very cool to me for some reason, but I don't know why.

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-Century Modern, a group on Flickr.

This Flickr group is a great source of inspiration. There's everything from buildings to decor objects to be inspired by. There is no fault of design here.

60's abstract

60's abstract, a photo by Mad Modern on Flickr.

My Flickr Contact Mad Modern got a new mid-century modern abstract painting, and it is just cool! I just right out dig it man. He's got a ton of other cool things too. So very cool! I had to say it again. Wish I had painted it.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. By using these links you can get what you need/want and help Amidst Mod to continue providing info and inspirations.

Our House Last Night

Our House Last Night, a photo by Chimay Bleue on Flickr.

This is why I follow the Flickr streams that I do. I love what they put up. This one, again... is from Chimay Bleue. You can see that he not only likes MCM style, but lives it too. As for info about the photo. Well, I figure I'll let him tell you about it.  Curious to know more about why he started his flickr, and why he loves Mid-Century? Don't worry, you'll find out.

We had a really weird day here in San Diego yesterday, and it's continuing today with a tropical storm keeping the weather much wetter, more humid, and cloudier than usual for these parts. There was even some sort of bird making tropical, Augie Colon-like bird calls so it felt like Hawaii here. But the day was capped by one of those crazy dramatic sunsets we get every once in a while here. The whole sky was on fire.

This is the view from our house this evening.

double takes: Miehina the Kyoto Geisha: Glen Milner

Vintage Geisha, scanned from a book, a photo by rosewithoutathorn84 on Flickr.

double takes: Miehina the Kyoto Geisha: Glen Milner: The next trip on deck for me is Japan. As I begin planning and researching, I can't help but find this short documentary inspiring. Miehin...

As you can see from the title above, Double Takes is about to take a trip to Japan. Because of this, there are some really cool things to see. There of course, is the video that you will find first after this link (double takes: Miehina the Kyoto Geisha: Glen Milner:), but there are some really cool photos too. Double Takes is a blog rich with illustration, and graphic content. That's why I have followed it for a long time now. I'm sure that you will find the vintage/retro inspired content to be just that...inspiring. Have fun!

House of Tomorrow

House of Tomorrow, a photo by Chimay Bleue on Flickr.

You've probably seen it a number of times, and you probably know it by a different name. Maybe, something more like, "The Elvis Honeymoon House".

While I appreciate the fact that this house was saved, and that the owners had to find a way to make money out of it, and seeing that I do like Elvis too, I still think that some of the class this house originally had has been lost. That's why, I'm in search of an article I once saw online about this incredible house by Robert Alexander. Once I find it, I'll make sure you get to see it. Maybe for the first time, or maybe it'll be the 50th time. Really though, do you ever get tired of something so completely cool?

Also, you got check out ChimayBleue's flickr. Just touch the link up above. You won't regret it.

Possible New Books For My Collection: "New creative home decorating"

I just found this book on Amazon.com for $.31 plus shipping, and though you folks might want one too. I'm seriously thinking about getting it.  Just got scrape a few more pennies together... argh...!