Tag Archives: midcentury modern

What I Love…

17 Jul

…this apartment via Desire to Inspire.  It’s to die for.  While I wish there were more windows, or at least larger ones, the brick accent wall more than makes up for it.  I love an exposed brick wall!  Not only that, but it’s also a really eclectic and colorful fusion of mid-century modern and contemporary, with a little neo-trad thrown in for good measure.

From the Eames Lounge Chair and Noguchi Coffee Table to the Konstantin Grcic Stacking Chair…and the cowhide rugs!

I love it.  It’s a little weird, but it works.

the living room

via Desire to Inspire

What do you guys think?

Tags: , , , ,

Design Notebook: Mid-Century Modern Beachside

22 Jun

… and poolside too.  Because it’s summer.  And summer in NYC means wishing for a pool or a beach where I can cool off because it’s already too hot!  On that note, here are some of my favorite mid-century modern pieces poolside or beach side.  Let’s all pretend to be in a better place…

A set of white Bertoia Diamond Side Chairs and a table are simple and a little bit retro at this Hollywood bungalow.

via living etc.

Here’s a pair of BKF Chairs, aka Butterfly Chair, on a beachside patio.   Perfect. Serene.  And probably cool…

via life of an architect

Frederick Stelle‘s renovation of his Long Island home includes a set of Richard Schultz’s 1966 Collection of patio furniture.  I am loving these lounge chairs and the infinity pool! Why am I not there drinking a mojito?

via north elevation

On a secluded beach in New Zealand is the Whangapoua Sled House built by Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects (say that 3x fast).  A pair of Finn Juhl lounge chairs looks out to the sandy beaches.   The hearth, cowhide rug, and Eames Walnut Stools give the space a rustic, cottage feel.

via 1st kind design, via crosson clarke carnachan architects

So besides looking at other people’s beach houses and luxurious pools, how are you going to keep from melting this summer?

Tags: , , , , , ,

House Tour: Una Pasteleria, Ahora Un Duplex

19 Jan

Today’s house tour comes c/o of Nuevo Estilo.   And while it is a beautiful duplex in the Spanish city of Bilbao, the best part about this home is that it used to be a bakery.

It’s been rebuilt, remodeled, and renovated by owner and interior designer, Mikel Larringa.  This lovely duplex features a lot of its original interior structure from its glory days as a bakery, namely wooden beams, huge factory windows and load-bearing pillars.  You put that together with an open floor-plan, stark-white walls and a mix of mid-century modern pieces and boldly decorated textiles, and you’ve got a gorgeous loft with a slightly eccentric style.

Really love how this looks like it used to be a factory.  The roman shades on the windows diffuse bright sunlight and create a great ambiance, while giant patterned rugs add color and personality.  In the living room is a Noguchi Coffee Table, a contemporary sofa and a Louis XIV armchair.

el salon

Here’s  another view of the living room.  The stairs lead up to the loft bedroom.

el salon

el salon

In the dining area are a set of white Eames DAW chairs.  The table is by Paul Ziarsolo.  These cute mini globe pendant lights are by Dab.  I think I would have preferred bigger lights at such a large dining table, but it’s obvious the place isn’t lacking in natural light.

area de comedor

Another thing I love is the collection of art and sculpture; it’s apparent that Larrinage is passionate about collecting.

la entrada

Chocolate, gray, black and white create a sense of calm in this loft bedroom.

el dormitorio

Plenty of art in the bedroom too.  Cite Lounge Chair is by Jean Prouve and the painting shown above the Chinese Buffet is of Paul Ziarsolo by Pedro Goiriena.

el dormitorio

More pictures and information available here.

This home was featured in July 2011 issue of Nuevo Estilo.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Keep In Touch

4 Jan

I just wanted to let you all let you know there are plenty of ways you can stay abreast of Mid Century/Rex Kelly news…

Follow me on the Twitter

Like me on Facebook

And if you really want to prove your awesomeness, stop on by my shop.  I carry dozens of mid-century modern replicas; Eames RAR Rocker, Mariano Fortuny Lamp, Noguchi Coffee Table and many more.  And if you’re in the NYC area, you can make an appointment to see the inventory.  Otherwise get your wallets ready!

shop rex kelly

K.I.T. also by leaving comments about how great my posts are and how much you love mid-century modern design.  And…finally, subscribe to newsletter where I talk even more about mid-century modern design and reveal who shot J.R.Ewing.

Tags: , , , ,

Modern Classics: The Papa Bear Chair

5 Dec

Hans Wegner’s The Papa Bear Chair is the ultimate in luxury lounge seating.

image via mod restoration

Formerly known as the Teddy Bear Chair, Hans Wegner designed this chair for AP Furniture in 1951.  Said to evoke the animal kingdom with its playful and organic aesthetics, the Papa Bear Chair is perfect for lounging in, napping in, relaxing in.  I mean…it practically gives you a bear hug (the friendly kind) from behind.

image via domino mag (RIP)

What’s really great about this chair is its stylistic dexterity.  It’s lines are Danish Modern: sleek, long and organic.  But it’s design is classic.  Another reason everyone loves this chair is that’s beautiful from all angles, as Wegner designed it to be.

“A chair is to have no backside. It should be beautiful from all sides and angles.”

image via desire to inspire

image via emmas blogg

As I’ve said before, the Papa Bear Chair is suited for even the most luxe/traditional of settings.  That’s the case in this traditional grand library with columnal pillars and glossy herringbone wood floors.

image via elle decor

In this luxurious living room with a decorative boat-shaped chandelier, bone-inlaid Moroccan stool and a teal leather Moroccan pouf, a Papa Bear Chair upholstered in orange velvet only adds to the luxe setting, doesn’t it?

via pinterest, image via elle decor

And here’s a pair in white, flanking a mid-century modern table in David Kleinberg’s classic Long Island home.

image via house beautiful

Well, we’ve finally got replicas of the Papa Bear Chair in.

Upholstered in gray cashmere/wool on a hardwood frame, you’re not going to find this quality replica for this price, $1,599, anywhere.  So get one today, and enjoy all the friendly Papa Bear Chair hugs you want!

replica hans wegner papa bear chair, $1,599

Happy Monday!

Tags: , , , , ,

Eames Hang-It-All Giveaway

4 Nov

Give it away, Give it Away, Give Away it Now…

Holy moly, I’ve been blogging for nearly a year now.  Actually, it’s been more like 10 months, but it’s been loads of fun.

To share the fun with you, I’ve decided to give away one replica Eames Hang-It-All.  It’s a coatrack unlike any other, and honestly one my favorite home decor accessories.  Plus, everyone knows I’m a nerd for Ray + Charles Eames.

The winner gets his or her choice of the ever-popular multi-colored Eames Hang-It-All…

multi-colored eames hang it all, via oliver yaphe

… or the more understated version in Walnut.

eames hang it all in walnut, via fabulissime.com

All you have to do to enter to win is visit my Facebook Page, click the tab that says Giveaways!, fill out the form and that’s it.  You do have to be a fan, so if you’re a noob, click “Like,” and you’ll be all set to enter.

The contest ends at 12 pm, on November 9, after which one lucky winner will be chosen at random!

Feel free to share this non-clandestine info with your friends on the Facebook and Twitter…

the eames hang-it-all

Good luck everyone and thanks for playing!!

Tags: , , , ,

House Tour: The Hemeroscopium House

19 Oct

That sounds very sexy, doesn’t it?  Hemeroscopium, Greek for “where the sun sets,” is, in fact, a very sexy house.  It’s a superstructure, literally a really big house, that plays with balance.  To the naked eye, it would seem that the placement of large concrete beams atop one another indicates that the architect, Anton Garcia- Abril, is also really bad at Jenga.  But that’s just not the case:

image via archinect

Garcia-Abril built this home, located in Madrid, in 2009, and construction lasted only 7 days (while planning took 3 years).  But really, enough about the amazing architecture, visit Archinect if you want more information/pictures of that.

I want to look at gorgeous mid-century modern, contemporary furniture, and the stunning interior design!

Like a lot of these glass + concrete homes, the planning is left open like a blank canvas. In the living room, you’ll notice that makeshift room dividers were created out of gray forscurit curtains.

There’s are pieces by Le Corbusier and Eileen Gray, including the LC2 Chairs and Gray’s Adjustable Side Table.  In the background, a silver Arco lamp juts into the space.

via nuevo estilo

A closeup of Le Corbusier’s LC4 chair and a sculpture by Manolo Valdes.

via nuevo estilo

Shown here are a grand piano (an homage to Garcia-Abril’s father who’s a composer) and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Leather Daybed.  In the background is the sitting room with Le Corbusier’s LC1 chairs (The guy loves him some Le Corbusier) and a sculpture by Eduardo Chillida.

via nuevo estilo

via nuevo estilo

The eat-in kitchen is rather quaint and homey, isn’t it?  The furniture is by Formica…

via nuevo estilo

The bedroom and bathrooms are also rather quaint and homey (as they should be, really).  If the bedroom looks like something out of Ikea…well, that’s because the furniture is from Ikea.  The lamp is by Ptolemy.

via nuevo estilo

via nuevo estilo

This house was featured in Nuevo Estilo, issue #99.

Tags: , , , , , ,

House Tour: A Mid-Mod Renovation in Palo Alto

23 Sep

Inspired by the likes of the Eichler Houses in the greater Los Angeles and San Francisco neighborhoods, this home gets a green, mid-century modern renovation.  Eichler’s designs were characterized by exposed beams, glass walls, open floorplans and a method of “bringing the outside in” through skylights, big windows and plenty of garden and patio space.  Think of it as California Modern with roots in the mid-century modern designs of Frank Llyod Wright.

This particular 18-year-old home gets additions and some major renovations, designed by Gustave Carlson, and the  result is clean and modern lines, lots of light, and well, awesomeness.

image via gustave carlson

image via remodelista, via gustave carlson

Carlson studied the patterns of the sun (what the what?) to determine the best window placement.  This is especially evident in the kitchen, dining and bathroom areas which are filled with lots of natural light.

Love the maple cabinetry and exposed beams and the overall ‘natural’ feel of the kitchen and dining areas…

image via gustave carlson

image via gustave carlson

A skylight was used in the bathroom to bring in more natural light.   White peebled walls and recycled glass tiles further underscore the eco-friendly renovation of this home. 

image via gustave carlson

image via remodelista, via gustave carlson

This home was featured in the July/August 2009 issue of California Home + Design Magazine, which you can read here.

For more information about Gustave Carlson, visit his website. 

Tags: , , , , ,

Design Notebook: Eames Molded Plywood Chair

7 Feb

Ah….yet another classic piece of mid-century modern furniture: Ray  & Charles Eames’ Molded Plywood Chair.  When shopping for this splendiferous chairs, you may have seen the acronyms of LCW or DCW.  LCW, or Low Chair Wood, is the original design of this chair, originally designed in 1940.   The Dining Chair Wood (DCW) was designed shortly thereafter, in 1946.

Time Magazine once called this chair, “the best of 20th century design.”  And with good reason, the Molded Plywood chair is comfortable, classic and works so well in so many different types of interiors precisely because of its simplicity.

image via folio.atdeisgn (flickr)

image via Anne @ the city sage

east village loft, image via james wagman architects, llc

And how awesome is this?  this is a photo of the Eames’ office…thanks Tula @ Whorange.  By the way…if you live in Santa Monica, definitely visit the Eames Office; it is an office/gallery/store, so take a field trip.

image via whorange

image via Lonny Mag, april/may 2010 issue

image via audrey matlock architect

Tags: , , ,

Ummm. NO.

17 Jan

Tags: ,

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 69 other followers