Mid Century Modern Recliner.

My new love!  I found this up north last week.  What a beauty!

The owner lived in a 60s modern home that she purchased from the original owner....who so kindly left it full of all her mid century modern furniture when she sold.  Can you imagine?!    This was one of those pieces and wow, you should have seen the other furniture....which I could not talk her into selling ;)

Craigslist Monday. Mid Century Modern Love.

I like to ease into Monday mornings by searching Craigslist Los Angeles for mid century finds.  I'd love to add any of these pieces to my home...

Broyhill Brasilia Dining Room $2500

Brasilia is my favorite Mid Century design.  I have a dresser and nightstand pair but still dream of acquiring more pieces someday.  

Mid Century Coffee Table $200

Check out the glass detail on this.  Love that!

1950's Telephone Table (best offer)

I love the atomic style.  

60's room divider $200

Knoll Saarinen Executive Chairs $399

New Furniture in My Shop

I have a garage full o' mid century to repair, refinish, restore and SELL!   Problem is I like to shop more than I like to refinish, and this year with being pregnant I can't refinish like I used to so it's all piling up.

Finally, this past weekend my hubs and I made a nice dent in the garage.  Some of it didn't even need to be refinished, I just had to dig it out and photograph.  I was able to do the easier refinishing that does not require sanding and he did all the hard work....hey, it's about time! I've refinished everything on my own up until now with baby on board.   So, soon there will be a lot of furniture in my shop. Must get my garage back!

Here's what I've managed to post so far:

Cleaned, sanded a bit, primed and painted.  Voila! Like new. I love how these came out.  So cute!

I've held on to this chair for a long time because I love it. Time to let it go. It got sanded, stained and sealed.  New vinyl upholstery.

I really love this piece but have no place for it.  Someone else can love it. 

This was in my home for awhile but I traded up with a larger book shelf. Time to let this move into a new home.  No refinishing on this - being sold as is.  The books will hide scratches it has anyway.

My Latest Find: Mid Century Modern Rocking Chair

I did a search for "mid century rocker" on Craigslist Los Angeles.  Got a slew of rockers, some in fact mid century but way over priced, some were nothing close to mid century. OK, so next try "retro rocker".  There it was. Posted on April 16, an orange mid century rocking chair with what appeared to be the original upholstery.  $40 or best offer.  I was sure it was an old posting left up on CL even though it sold (hate when sellers do that) but I emailed the contact anyway.

What do you know, it was still available. Luck #1.   It was located just over an hour from me but luck #2, my hubby just so happened to be working down in that area for the day.  Hmmmmm....but would it fit in his small work car?  Luck #3, he was able to maneuver it so it fit just barely.   So yes, as you can tell, I got it.  Yay!  $35 bucks and it is indeed the original orange upholstery.  This would look great in a say....a baby's room, an office, den?

Check it out.  Just needs a light sanding and coat of stain to freshen up the wood:

Mid Century Modern Outdoor Spaces.

To follow up with last weeks post about my mid century modern inspired backyard, I've collected some images that inspire me.  While I am content with my outdoor space now and love the MCM pieces I have, I always yearn for that "perfect patio set from the 60's" to finish the look and that je ne sais quoi, the missing element, to make it complete.  If I had my dream backyard it would incorporate these designs....

1. An open-air patio cover...

JLS Lynwood Home

George Mulhauser for Plycraft. That's one beautiful chair!

Pardon my absence the past week. I was in Vegas visiting my in-laws.  It was a nice break but it's always so great coming home.

One of the first things I had to do upon my return was browse the mid-century Craigslist ads here in Los Angeles. After 4 days I knew there would be hoards of new pieces to drool over. Indeed there was and here is my favorite:

Plycraft Mr. Chair Lounge by George Mulhauser.  

Drooling anyone?  Or is it just me?  It can be yours for $1000 obo.

Los Angeles in the 60's

I drive through Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley and admire the remaining 50's and 60's architecture.  I wish I could go back in time for a few days and live in LA during the mid century.   Here are some pics from the era:

Ken Clark Pontiac dealership

Saturday Estate SAILing.

'Twas a good day for pickin!  I was up bright and early and at the sale at 7-ish. My friend Kevin was there so that helped to make the hour pass quickly.  I was #3 through the door.  Love that.

My first score was a set of 2 matching Danish style lounge chairs. I love this style chairs.  I already have 3  in my house, each a bit different,  but I needed another one for my den.  Score!

Mid Century Modern Rugs. My Latest Obsession.

I like to obsess.  I think it keeps my ADHD mind busy (that's my self-diagnosis). If I did not have something to hunt for and obsess about I'd be bored.  My latest?  Mid Century Rugs.  I want one (or two)!

I see them on Craigslist from time to time and they are always quite pricey - with good reason.  Don't get me wrong, I understand their value but I'm cheap, I mean I love a good bargain. I'm the girl that wants to come across one at a garage sale or estate sale and get it for like $10.   Hey, it happens. My friend Darren found one of his MCM rugs for $4 at a garage sale.  I remain hopeful....but I'm impatient too.  Great combo I know, obsessive and impatient. I'm a wreck!  My ideal rug would be hues of blue/green or orange tones - or all of them mixed.  I don't have a particular style or design I like, I'll just know it when I see it.

Check out these beauties....

Monday Finds. Bertoia Side Chairs and a Coffee Table.

Is it just me or are Mondays great days to find mid century pieces on Craigslist?  It could be a coincidence but some of the greatest pieces I own were spotted as new postings Monday morning - or late Sunday night.  I wonder if people clean out their storage, work on redecorating, etc. over the weekend and post fresh on Monday?   Whatever!  It works for me.

Looook what I got today!  I've been obsessed with Bertoia side chairs for a long time. In fact if you search old posts you'll see several mentions of them.   Yay, I have my own pair!  Where will they go?  Who knows, but I will make a space.   I'm dreaming of what cushions I could get.....or do I leave them stark and bare?  Hmmmmm?

I called about this little 2-tier coffee table this morning and left a message. Just so happens I got a call from the owner as I was pulling up to the Bertoia chair house.  I got the address to pick up the table right after and guess what, they lived less than 10 minutes from where I was. Very strange for Los Angeles!  So, now I'm the happy owner of this cute little table. It's plain but unique at the same time due to the ledge pieces on the sides and the thick slatted second shelf.  Needs a refurb but I'll get it to it later.  I might make it a bit darker to pop against my white shag in the front room.  I've wanted something new to replace my Lane coffee table that's there right now.  It's pretty cute and super atomic right? 

** update 3:30 pm. Ok, so this is not replacing my Lane coffee table in the front room. It doesn't look good. Guess this one's going up for sale after I put a little work into it. 

Eek, dusty I know!  I'll post refinish pictures after I get to it.  

How is your Monday going? 

Mid Century Paintings and Wall Art.

This weekend was so busy that I did not have the time, um actually the energy, to post.  Friday was a really busy day then it was up bright and early Saturday morning to hit the sales.  It was a good day for shopping!   Sunday was all about errands, cleaning, shooting pictures, etc.

Saturday: The first sale we (my Mom and I) hit was a jack pot!  Not only was it close to my house but it was pure mid century and everything was el-cheapo! The woman and her 2 sons running the sale were so nice and fun.  I just love that!  My mom and I bought so much we filled up the back of my Ford Explorer.  We had to go back home and unload before we could hit more sales.  We made it back home around 2 pm, just beat.  That's 6 hours of estate sail-ing!

One of my favorite purchases from Saturday (the first sale) is this pretty mid century oil painting of a woman in a flower field. Though I tend to favor cityscapes and abstracts I just  love the bright yellow color and the mysterious woman.  If I had a place for it in my home I would keep it.  It's signed B. Alba, or at least that is what it looks like.  I have not been able to find any information on this person.

Here is the painting. It's huge at just over 3' x 3'.  This post inspired me to share the artwork in my home and find a few favorites on Etsy too:

and others living in my home currently...some of these you've seen in previous posts...

Huge oleograph by Edgar A. Stareck.  For sale!

Original oil by Ozz Franca. 

Adorable retro yarn picture.

Marina/cove print. I cannot make out the signature.  Dated '60.

Huge mixed media abstract in my dining area.

My beloved big-eyed dog and cat oleographs by Gia. Sorry for the crappy picture. The little doggy is not washed out - it's a weird light reflection. 

Original oil city scape. I cannot make out the signature.

Chip art picture.  I  found this one a couple of weeks ago.

Gigantic metal flying bird wall sculpture. One of my favorite thrift store finds!  I don't believe it's actually mid century but it's my version of Jere flying birds until I can acquire the real-deal.

Syroco wall plaques. My aunt sent these to me from Utah. Thanks Charlotte!  

My big-eyed Keane girls.  I have yet to find space for these!

and my favorites from Etsy:

Mid Century Modern Abstract by Casari $595 @ Dejavu Long Beach

Eddie Powell Taogaea "Terra" Mid Century Abstract Painting $465 @ Back Garage 

Mid Century Abstract $100 @ Shop Thrifted 

Abstract Mid Century Acrylic $385 @ Back Garage 

What are your favorites? 

Friday Finds. Mid Century Lovin'!

It's favorite Friday finds time!  I love to scour Craigslist to see MCM items for sale, whether I need or can afford them or not.  It's a bit torturous because I inevitably find something I love and want, but I know we all do it.  Come on, admit it!

Here are some current faves for sale on CL Los Angeles & San Diego:

Walnut Storage Display Case Book Case $375 

Space Age Lamps $300/pair

Gerald Thurston Lamp $175

Walnut Wood Frame Lounge Chairs (need work) $120

Mid Century Teak & Tile End Table $150

DUX Lounge with Cane Backrest $300

Broyhill Sculptra Dresser $485

Paul McCobb Nightstand $150

Danish Modern Lamp $75

DUX 63C Lounge $600

Danish Rosewood Credenza $3000

Milo Baughman Lounge $350

Mid Century Chair $175

Mid Century Coffee Table Magazine Rack $120 (I really want this!)

UPDATE on this piece: I tried to get it.  I emailed 10 minutes after it was posted and said I would purchase it. Got an email about an hour later saying "Someone is coming to see it.  I'll update you".  I replied with an offer of a good amount more than she was asking but when she replied it was already sold.  This one hurt.  I really, really wanted this table.  Oh well, can't win them all.  

Mid Century Slat Bench with Cushion $65

I see some deals here. Granted, they aren't the prices my mid-west friends see but for LA some of these aren't too bad.  I've got my eye on a couple of these pieces but unfortunately I'm off to a meeting in 20 minutes and I have a busy day after.  I'm assuming my favorites here won't be there by day's end.  (I was right - the magazine table, gone in a hour!)