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

Mid Century Modern Cat Bed.

In the midst of all the sadness and disbelief over the horrendous Sandy Hook, CT. shootings, this silly mid century modern cat bed made me laugh. I thought I'd share it.

How perfect is this?  Sure, why shouldn't kitty have a period-perfect bed of her/his own...complete with floating nightstands and bedding?  I'm truly Laughing Out Loud!

courtesy Mid Century Modern Home @ Facebook

Frederick Arndt Mid Century Inspired Wooden Art

I was perusing Etsy and came across the incredible woodworking art of Frederick Arndt.  I had to share!

Clearly his designs are inspired by the space-agey, mod shapes of the 1950's and 1960's, yet his work still feels new and fresh, and very much his own.

From amoebas to boomerangs, and Eames dots to starbursts, any mid mod shape your heart desires can be found in these handmade wooden creations.  

Here are just a few. Find more at his Etsy shop FredArndtArtworks

1950's Gillette Razor. Even This Looks Cool!

Have you ever been to an estate sale where it seems that you've stepped back in time to the 1950's?  I mean, literally it seems as though you've taken a time machine back to the atomic age because EVERYTHING in the home is from the mid century.

It's very odd, right? It's as though the homeowner(s) never purchased anything new.  How does this happen?!

I recently shopped a sale like this.  Everything, and I mean everything, was original from the mid century.  Case in point, check out this Gillette razor I found in the bathroom (among unused 1950's cosmetics, etc.)!  And you should have seen the incredible boomerang yellow patterned formica vanity top.  Doh!  Why don't I always carry my camera??

Those of us that love the mid century design knows the furniture was cool, the architecture, and housewares,  but for a razor to be cool?  Come on!

Indeed, it's a beauty.  Look at the lovely diamond, ice-blue detail of the handle, and the metal flanked neck complete with starburst design.  Even the plastic case is emblazoned with starbursts.  Pretty cool right?

Bullet Planters and New Finds.

I've obsessed about bullet planters long enough. I finally broke down and purchased a pair on Ebay.  All I really wanted was the short one but I got a great deal on 2 so I couldn't pass up the pair.

The short tan one has found it's home here in my living room. I'm not sure where the taller black bullet will go but I'm sure I can find a space.  

These are so hard to come by now that I don't think I can part with the black one.  I'd regret it later.  In my years of picking I've never seen one at a sale.  Where are they hiding? 

So, now my old planter is for sale in my shop.  I hate to see it go but go it must!

And check out some of my new finds:

Cork lamp with the coolest teak wood neck

Heywood Wakefield side table

Atomic ceramic lamp

Space age mod patio set

Burke tulip chair 

The Visible Woman educational model

Mid Mod Bird House and Handmade Pottery.

A recent trip to my picker friend Darren's home revealed his new talent: creating modern pottery.  Apparently in his "spare time" he'd taken up spinning a pottery wheel.  Really?  And I thought I crammed a lot into 24 hours.

Turns out he's quite good at it.  So good I recommended he open an Etsy shop and he did: Mock Pottery.

Take a look at some of his beautiful modern creations:  

AP-influenced stacked cone planters. 

I just call this "Fingers".

Amazing. I want this! 

Minimalist bird house.  

This is mine, hanging on my front porch.  Lucky birds!

Mini AP style double cone vases.  Fabulous! 

A collection of his personal pieces.  

I love a simple pedestal vase.  And how beautiful is the candle holder?  

See them lit up in his shop. 

Exploring designs...

Fresh from the kiln...

Find Darren's pottery at Mock Pottery

  

Mid Century Modern for Pets.

If you're like me, mid century obsessed, you like everything to have the mid mod look.....even your pet's furniture and accessories.

I've been drooling over Hepper's super cool cat Pod Bed for quite some time.  I saw one on Craigslist a while back at a great price and missed out.    My kitties would love this!   

As you can see below small dogs apparently love them too:

available in tons of colors and the top comes off for an open seat.

I'm also really loving the Pei Pod

How cool do these cats feel in this egg shaped house? Yeah, very cool.  

And the Kitty Pod, another raised pod style bed, by HJ Mews.

Does Kitty love the Eames style?  Check out another cool design by HJ Mews, the Canopy Lounge. 

Kitty love mid century architecture? Let him / her sleep in their very own mid century home by Urban Pet Haus: 

 

We all know cats work so hard...yeah right, and deserve a great place to sleep. Let your kitty (or man's best friend) lounge in style on the Bambu Pet Hammock by Pet Lounge Studios.

I never thought in a million years I could appreciate the design of a cat scratcher.  But, here it is:  

Modern Cardboard Scratcher at Modern Cat

And an attractive litter box? Never....right?  Nope, they made that look good too:

Litter Hideaway Circa 50 at Modernist Cat

And slightly more litter boxy feeling, yet still way cool in a space age design, the Litter Robot, self cleaning system:

Does kitty crave pretty feeding bowls like you crave vintage dinnerware?  Try one of Vurv's amazing designs:

Can someone tell this little cute guy he's not technically supposed to be IN the bowl? 

Makes me want to go shopping for my cats. How about you?