Minimalist Modern Barstool Hunt.

Happy New Year everyone!  I've had the bug to change some things up in my home for awhile now, so I'll use the new year as an excuse to "freshen up"...right?   

My latest hunt is for modern, minimal, backless barstools.  Say that 5 times fast.  I've been browsing Craigslist obsessively, just waiting for that ultimate score to pop up and pounce on. Hasn't happened yet. ;D  

In the meantime, I've browsed and found some pretty dreamy chairs, but put a huge emphasis on the "dream" part. Check out the prices for beauty like this!  Oh, my champagne taste and beer budget conundrum.  Sigh.  

Smith Barstool $449

Kami Barstool $498

Crescent Barstool $130 

Not too badly priced actually

Carney Barstool $480 for 4 

Not bad either, but I only need 2.

Knoll Twist Stool $723

Knoll Chip Barstool $523

My New Loves. Saarinen Inspired Side Tables.

One of my favorite designs from the mid century is Eero Saarinen's tulip style.  About 2 years ago I spotted a small white tulip end table on Craigslist. I paused, I lost.   I just knew that some day I would come across them again.   I had to wait about 2 years, but yesterday was that day. I spotted a Craigslist ad that read something like "moving sale, 60's and 70's furniture".  There they were, a pair no less!   I drove in rush hour traffic to get them. There and back, thanks to the Los Angeles traffic, it took me about 2 hours to make what would otherwise have been a 30 minute round trip. That's okay though. I had to have them and I LOVE!  Now, where to put them and what to place on top. Oh what fun!

My little tulip tables.  

Craigslist Love. Mid Century & Danish Modern.

TGIF!  and there are some great sales this weekend. I can't wait to get out after more than a week of being sick and laying around the house.  I'll post pics of any great finds tomorrow.

In the meantime, I wanted to share some great Mid Century finds on Craigslist Los Angeles:

Mid Century Lamp $50 (Silverlake)

Pair Mid Century Lamps $170 (Silverlake) same person as above. These are amazing! Look at the wood inlay.  I want these!!

Jens Risom. Danish Modern.

Jens Risom is one of the great Danish designers of the mid century.  The son of an architect, Jens was destined to create some incredible designs during his life.   Indeed, that's what he did.

Jens Risom (1916-     )  

This beautiful and talented man is still with us!

He is considered one of the greats of the mid century designers and many of his pieces can be found in museums including The Museum of Modern Art NY, Yale University Art Gallery, Brooklyn Museum, Rhode Island School of Design Museum and Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum, the United State's museum of design history and contemporary design.

Jens trained at the Copenhagen School of Industrial Arts and Design and then traveled to New York to continue his studies.  In 1941 he partnered with Hans Knoll, which led to the creation of Hans Knoll Furniture Company in 1942.   (Post on Hans and Florence Knoll coming soon)!

In 1943 he was drafted into the US Army where he served under General Patton.  After his return from service he only briefly re-joined Knoll.  In 1946 Jens started his own design firm: Jens Risom Design (JRD).

Jens Risom designs:

Courtesy Se-Design.dk

Courtesy Uncrate.com

Courtesy Yatzer.com 

Courtesy Remodelista.com

Courtesy Wallpaper.com

Courtesy RalphPucci.net

Courtesy BareHillBarn.Blogspot

Craigslist = Mid Century Finds

I love scrolling through Craigslist to see what fabulous Mid Century pieces people are selling.....even though I have no space for anything else in my home.....I just like to look and drool.....and appreciate the fine design of the fabulous 50's and 60's

Check out these amazing Saarinen for Knoll red atomic chairs. Designed by Eero Saarinen in 1957. $395 for the set at www.gomodretro.com Orange County, California.