An Ode to Hans Wegner

The brilliant Hans Wegner is the designer of one of my favorite chairs from the mid century - the Wishbone chair.  Designed in 1950 it is one of the most identifiable chairs of its time and remains effortlessly stunning and fluidly gorgeous even 60 years later.

Hans Wegner (1915-2007) trained as a cabinet maker before attending the Copenhagen School of Arts and Crafts, where he later lectured from 1946-1953.  From 1938-1942, he worked as a furniture designer in Arne Jacobsen and Erik Moller's architectural firm.  In 1943 he set up his own office in Gentotte and collaborated with Borge Mogensen in the design of an apartment shown at the 1946 Cabinetmakers Exhibition in Copenhagen.  Throughout his long career, he has designed furniture extensively for Johannes Hansen and Fritz Hansen.  The Royal Society of Arts, London made him an Honorary Royal Designer for Industry in 1959.  Source: ScandinavianDesign.com

A look at Mr. Wegner's beautiful work....

Wishbone Chair 1950

Folding Chair 1949

The Chair 1949

Shell Chair 1948

Swivel Chair 1955

Bear Chair 1954

I love them all.  What's your favorite?  

Happy 50th Orange Slice Chair!

2010 marks the 50th anniversary for the endlessly chic Orange Slice chair by Pierre Paulin.

Designed in 1960, the orange slice chair has become an iconic symbol of the creativity in design of the mid century era. One cannot help but marvel at the design, so simple yet so complex. Does it play a trick on the eye? Perhaps.

“A chair should be more than simply functional. It should be friendly, fun, and colourful.” – Pierre Paulin

I couldn't agree more. Here are some images of the iconic chair and Pierre himself. Bravo sir, bravo!

Plycraft Beam of Sunshine on my Rainy Day

It's a rainy day in Los Angeles. Wish I was sitting in this chair with a nice cup of tea.

I suppose it's good though, after a week-long triple digit heatwave and we need the rain around here. Just a little disappointing to leave the sunshine to go to Seattle for a long weekend, and return to rain. Oh well!

While waiting on the sun to return to my life, this beam of light, aka an original plycraft lounge chair, sent me a much needed jolt! The rain makes you sleepy right?

Check out this motherlode of a set (found on Craigslist Los Angeles): An original leather Plycraft Mr. Chair and ottoman by George Mulhauser (as stated).

It has loving been restored with crisp white leather upholstery. G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S! And the boomerang coffee table is gorgeous too! What a set!

White would never last around my house though. I lovingly share it with a messy, ehem, not-as-neat-as-I-would-like husband, and 3 cats who enjoy 60's furniture too - yeah, like they have any idea they are sitting on original mid century pieces!

And for a laugh....here's one of my cats, Birdie, fast asleep on a Danish lounge chair.

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Brasilia Headboard and Lamps

If you are a Brasilia fanatic like me, or if you simply love the mid century design, you must check out the blog Mr. Modtomic. His finds at local flea markets, shops, Craigslist, etc. will make any MCM lover drool and wish they could be his shopping partner in crime.

Ok, first...he has the most amazing Brasilia headboard I have ever seen! I can only hope to find a headboard for my own bed (the search has been long and tedious) that is even a fraction as fabulous as this one. I mean, look at those lines!

Now on to the lamps...if you are over the shock of the headboard yet. The LAMPS: If you look at them too long your eyes will burn; yes, like the sun. They are that incredible. If you're a Brasilia lover than you get what I'm saying.

To me, I'm looking at art when I see the Brasilia lines. I've said it time and time again, they just don't make them like this anymore. The design is striking yet simple and so pleasing to the eye in an overt yet simultaneously subconscious way. Strange I know, but that's how I feel. I will forever love and covet the Brasilia design.

So, it's confirmed; the mid west is a gold-mine for mid century finds. I'm a mid west girl by birth, born in Kansas City Missouri, and I'm feeling a deep desire to get a one-way ticket to St. Louis or KC, rent a truck and scour the land for mid century modern, then drive....yes drive back to Los Angeles, California with my truck load!