MCM Facebook This Week – August 10th, 2015

Over the past few years I’ve posted photos of hundreds of homes to the MCM group and the most compelling and popular ones always seem to be the photo of the home at night. There’s something quite wonderful about a home glowing beautifully in the evening and a lovely example is this photo Eric Strande shared of his home. The warmth and character shown in this image is quite wonderful. I particularly like the toy bowling pins placed neatly aside in the basket by the door as it lets us know that this is not only a nice house, this is a lovely home. What a wonderful backdrop for children’s games played in the back yard on summer days. Thank you for sharing Eric. See the original post here.

This is a post that speaks to me as I don’t live in a house (and I get serious house envy some days looking at the wonderful member’s homes that get posted) but live in a downtown condo. So when Faith Chapman posted this photo of her lovely home with a fabulous cluster of George Nelson Bubble lamps it was nice to see someone who lives in a non-house space create such a wonderful environment. All spaces present their own unique design challenges and when you have ceilings as high as Faith’s the use of a lighting cluster like these bubble lamps are the perfect choice. Put that with a classic Barcelona chair and Noguchi coffee table the result is well-anchored room pulled beautifully into balance against the enormous window. Nicely done! See the original post here.

This is not something that pops up in the wild very often. In fact, I’ve only seen these in auction house showrooms. So I was a little taken aback when Christopher Topher Thurman posted a photo of a ‘Tri-symmetric’ chair designed by Vladimir Kagan in the 1950’s. At first I thought it must be a fake but there are no known fakes of this model around so, sure enough, a real one. At auction these sell for between 4000 – 6000 dollars (sometimes higher) so it was a real kick in the pants when on the chair was a clear sticker and the price of 99 dollars written on it. Great find Christopher and without a doubt deal of the week. Now I’ll go back to being envious! See the original post here.

A fearless use of color, well applied, will always get my attention. Frank Russo shared this photo of his (former) home office and it is practically alive with color. The three principle colors used here are red, yellow, and orange that is nicely matched tonally. The trick to making a space work with such a bold palette is always going to be balance, which is achieved here, but then the ‘rule’ of scale is tossed out and large accessories, like the glass works, dominates the surfaces of the Nelson Steel Frame drawers and the enormous Grecian-style horse wall art practically dwarfs the desk. But it works. It’s a relaxed and casual space of a collector. Love it and thanks for Sharing Frank! By the way, what’s your current office like? See the original post here.

I was so pleased when I saw this. A while back I posted a couple of photos to the MCM group of the Spectra Futura radio designed by renowned industrial designer Raymond Loewy and made by Nordmende of Germany in the 1960’s. Tyson Intile saw the post and was determined to find one for himself – something not easily done as they don’t come up often. So it was such a pleasure to see Tyson posing happily with his recently acquired Spectra Futura radio. It’s a wonderful design and if I may be allowed a moment to say that it speaks to one of my purposes for the group, which is to showcase designs people to may not have seen before, and to see previously unknown designs myself. Another purpose of the group seems to be making me quite envious at times when I see things I so desperately want myself! Very happy you have the radio Tyson and thanks for sharing! See the original post here.

Steve Setttle posted this lovely ‘Marshmallow’sofa he recently acquired, and it was a timely post. On August 4, 2015 Irving Harper – the man who designed this iconic sofa – passed away at the age of 99. Working for George Nelson as one of his Associates Harper went on to design many of George Nelson’s most recognized and enduring pieces. And it was a great pleasure of Harper to know that his designs were back in demand and it’s folks like Steve, with a keen sense of taste, that help keep a great designer’s legacy alive. Thanks for sharing Steve! See the original post here.

Tyler posted this photo of his restored Adrian Pearsall sofa. Certainly if there is icon of American Modern and mass market modern it would be a Pearsall Sofa. I find one of the mistakes that many people make when reupholstering a MCM piece of furniture is that they try to ‘modernize’ it by covering it in neutral fabric like greys and beige. These sofas – particularly the Pearsall ones – were never meant to be shy and reserved and always look best when wearing bolder and brighter garb. Tyler chose a perfect color for this couch – it looks modern and inviting especially with the fun orange accents cushions. Well done Tyler and to those looking at reupholstering a MCM piece, take note. See the original post here.

Even in a sad state I love this chair. It is in fact my favorite chair and I have two of them. Connie posted this ‘Corona’ chair designed by Poul Volther in 1961. It is a classic of Danish Modern, incredibly comfortable and, oh yes, it swivels. As collectors there is always that one piece that reminds us of why we collect and for me it is this chair. This photo – quite literally – makes me want to go out and dig through the basement piles of the local MCM dealers and wander down alleys on trash night looking for neglected treasures. This is a great chair that reminds me of why I love collecting. Thank you for sharing Connie and please post a photo of it restored! See the original post here.

Perhaps there are those that may be surprised that I chose to highlight a tray of deviled eggs. If you need a design point then I’ll say that the salt and pepper shakers were made by Lundtofte of Denmark in the 1960’s. But more than that this image, posted by Victoria Sadler‎, reminds me, as it would many folks I’m sure, of house parties and back yard picnics where tipsy neighborhood moms and dads cavorted loudly and acted a bit silly. The photo is a reminder of events when people, even though they were only going a few doors down the street, got dressed for the occasion. Dads poured the booze and Moms refilled the trays – and yes, trays of deviled eggs too. It’s an idealized, maybe simplistic view I know but if I can wax nostalgic for a moment or two over a tray of deviled eggs, then why not. Thanks for sharing Victoria! See the original post here.

Sadly, Pamelajane O’Connor let us know that long time group member Larry Akey died in a car accident. Pamela said, “Our dear friend, Larry Akey And lover of all things Mid Century Modern ….died on Wednesday in a tragic car accident. He absolutely loved this site!! He absolutely loved you all! He was thrilled when he would post something and you all would comment and like it in vast, vast numbers!” Larry had a wonderful home and collection and he was generous with sharing with the group. Our time is brief, be good to each other. RIP Larry. See the original post here. A few of Larry’s posts to the MCM Group: Here, Here, & Here