Midcentury Modern Motifs

Sleek, stylish, and yes, of course, modern! Think 1950s Las Vegas Rat Pack era, the Sands Hotel, or perhaps the boom of flat or angled roofline ranch style homes built in America's suburbs in the post World War II 50's and 60s. Think Formica, boomerang patterns, sputnik lamps, futuristic design, all promising a better tomorrow.

Compared to today's jaded fast attitudes, the 1950s and 60s were such innocent wonderful times, filled with optimism and great modernist design.

Everything "mid century modern" including Mid Century Modern Art, is gaining in popularity today in the 21st Century. New enthusiasts are becoming interested in furniture and architecture from or inspired by the "atomic" period of the United States history, roughly the period from 1940 to 1970.

It's no wonder Midcentury Modern motifs are considered to be "cool" and are the ultimate in modern style. Mid century modern encompasses many diverse styles and designers. Well known mid century modern art designers include Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi, Eero Saarinen, Hans Wegner, Herman Miller, Knoll, and Joseph Eichler (well-known for his unique home architecture and design).

Sadly, so many of the incredible Mid Century style homes and businesses built in the last century are being torn down to make way for "better" more "up to date" buildings. In many cases the structures built in their place are boring cookie cutter examples of ... well, I'm not sure know what to call them... Unimaginative boxes? The bland direction America is heading? Mediocrity? McMansions? You pick.

The early to mid 60s hold a special place in my heart because that is when I was born and my earliest memories were formed. I remember being pushed off to bed and hearing the Johnny Carson show blasting from the black and white TV. Sometimes they would allow me to stay up and watch a little bit of it, and the images of Dean Martin and Joey Bishop permeate my brain. I thought when I grew up all the men would wear tuxedos and have greased back hair and drink martinis all day. Wouldn't that be something!?

I remember when television meant 3 basic channels, ABC, CBS, and NBC. Oh, sure there was UHF, but who watched that? And you had to get up to change the channel. Usually we put it on one channel, the one with our favorite shows for the evening, and it stayed there all night, until the channel went off the air (1 am? I don't remember).

Cars had true chrome bumpers and were steel boats. We had a lemon yellow Buick named Betsy.

Whether you wish to study the high end designs of notable designers such as the Eames, or you simply find fascination and obsession with the overall Midcentury Modern motifs and sensibility (like I do!), never fear, a delightful array of topics await you.