mid century

Charles and Ray Eames ‘House of Cards’, interlocking picture card set, Western Germany circa 1952

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The Eames Office  produced 5 different sets of the House of Cards.  The small house of cards is the original, made in 1952.The images are of what Eameses called “good stuff “, chosen to celebrate “familiar and nostalgic objects from the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms.” The six slots on each card enable the player to interlock the cards so as to build structures of myriad shapes and sizes. There was also a Giant House of Cards (1953), a Computer House of Cards (1970) and Newton House of Cards for the 1974 Nobel Laureates for IBM.

Kitsch seascene with Starfish, fish and shells, set in an Atomic era abstract shaped Lucite block paperweight, circa 1950′s

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At the moment I’m really loving pieces such as this that exhibit so many characteristics of Mid-century design.  From the use of new types of plastic to create innovative pieces in abstract forms that owes so much to the Atomic-era and the Jet-age, fusing geometric angular shapes with streamlined contours. And the brightly coloured Kitsch underwater scenes, mementos of Inter-Continental foreign travel.

1950’s Mid-century modern cantilever sewing / hobby storage box, Atomic / Eames era

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A highly collectable and very practical piece of mid-century modern furniture.  Originally designed as a sewing / hobby box, with its cantilevered construction, opening to reveal 8 compartments.  Sitting on lovely Atomic styled splayed legs, and with a bent ply handle, its form is very reminiscent of its Eames / Danish modern era origins.  A great storage solution for any retro, vintage or mid century styled interior.

Danish / Scandinavian Leather and Rosewood swivel lounge chair, circa 1960’s

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Something a little different, and bigger than the usual offerings.  This lovely Danish style Rosewood stained bent ply and leather swivel lounge chair.  No makers mark, but ticks all the classic Scandinavian design boxes, and would make a great addition to any Mid-Century Modern through to minimal contemporary interior.  Available in my Ebay listings!

Seth Thomas ‘Starburst’ wall clock, with teak and chrome rays and atoms, Scotland circa 1960’s

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Starburst wall clocks are one of the definitive and most iconic pieces for the Mid-Century Modern styled house.  They came in many varied designs, all stemming from George Nelson’s  classic clock designs of the early 1950’s.  With their atomic aesthetic, and teak and chrome construction, they are the perfect pairing for Danish / Eames furniture, as functional and striking pieces of wall art.